Federal Judge demands unprecedented 5-hour climate change lesson

San Francisco and Oakland are battling the world’s oil giants in federal court for knowingly producing fossil fuels whose emissions have triggered sea level rise. The two coastal cities argue that oil companies — including BP, ExxonMobil, and Shell — should foot the bill for hugely expensive infrastructure defenses to hold back rising waters — such as formidable sea walls.

And now — for the first time — a federal judge will listen as both sides present their understanding of climate science and the causes of global warming before the court. The hearing, referred to by the judge as a “tutorial,” will address at least 14 specific questions that U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup asked both sides on Feb. 27.  Read more…

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