Synthetic human embryos let researchers study early development while sidestepping ethical and logistical hurdles 
Could a telescope ever see the beginning of time? An astronomer explains 
Spacesuits need a major upgrade for the next phase of exploration 
Larger and more frequent solar storms will make for potential disruptions and spectacular auroras on Earth 
Eggs from men, sperm from women: how stem cell science may change how we reproduce 
Genetic diseases: How scientists are working to make DNA repair (almost) a piece of cake 
How do airplanes fly? An aerospace engineer explains the physics of flight 
Six space missions to look forward to in 2024 
The brightest object in the universe is a black hole that eats a star a day 
Black hole, neutron star or something new? We discovered an object that defies explanation 
Alpha, beta, theta: what are brain states and brain waves? And can we control them? 
If life exists on Jupiter’s moon Europa, scientists might soon be able to detect it 
Tatahouine: 'Star Wars meteorite' sheds light on the early Solar System 
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is cranking up the heat in its fight against climate change and pollution by suing major oil companies. The lawsuit names BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, and Royal Dutch Shell as defendants for causing serious harm to the environment despite being aware of the effects of its products. What’s more, the city is also divesting away from fossil fuel, using its Pension Funds to pressure these oil giants.
The federal lawsuit that Mayor de Blasio’s office just filed is basically seeking reparations from the companies in the wake of the devastation that the city suffered due to several super storms, The New York Post reports. The lawsuit argues that the responsibility for the escalating natural disasters due to climate change falls on these oil companies, which have reaped the benefits of polluting the atmosphere.
“The city seeks to shift the costs of protecting the city from climate change impacts back onto the companies that have done nearly all they could to create this existential threat,” the lawsuit reads.
Naturally, the move prompted swift condemnation from the fossil fuel industry. Chevron spokesman Braden Reddall spoke to ABC News and said that suing oil companies will not help efforts to combat climate change.
“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a global issue and requires global participation and actions. Lawsuits of this kind — filed by trial attorneys against an industry that provides products we all rely upon to power the economy and enable our domestic life — simply do not do that,” Reddall said.
Aside from the lawsuit, Mayor de Blasio and Comptroller Scott Stringer have also announced that they’ll be taking their $5 billion investment in fossil fuel, courtesy of NYC’s Pension Funds in a divestment that might be more effective than legal action. This is in line with many divestment efforts by many states and provinces all across the world, which is putting the fossil fuel industry in a tight spot.
