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Are fossil fuel CEOs responsible for climate change? Social structure and criminal law approaches to climate litigation

Author

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  • Ryan Gunderson

    (Miami University)

  • Claiton Fyock

    (University of Leicester)

Abstract

Some argue that climate change-related harms are criminal harms, and that fossil fuel corporations and/or their CEOs are liable. Targeting wrongs perpetrated by fossil fuel industry CEOs individualizes the causes of climate change and presumes that punishing an individual or a group of bad actors will provide part of the solution to climate change. However, the primary driver of climate change is the system of capitalism as a total mode of production. The actions of CEOs are considerably shaped and constrained by this system—they are cogs in its machinery. Realizing the radical changes necessary to tackle the climate crisis requires rigorous examination of how the structure of contemporary capitalism perpetuates environmental degradation.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryan Gunderson & Claiton Fyock, 2022. "Are fossil fuel CEOs responsible for climate change? Social structure and criminal law approaches to climate litigation," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 12(2), pages 378-385, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:12:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s13412-021-00735-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-021-00735-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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