Supreme Court Declines To Hear From Oil And Gas Companies Trying To Block Climate Change Lawsuits

The Supreme Court said Monday it won't hear an appeal from oil and gas companies trying to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change .

The industry has faced a series of cases alleging it deceived the public about how fossil fuels contribute to climate change. Governments in states including California, Colorado and New Jersey are seeking billions of dollars in damages from things like wildfires, rising sea levels and severe storms. The lawsuits come during a wave of legal actions in the U.S. and worldwide seeking to leverage action on climate change through the courts.

In Hawaii, Sunoco and Shell appealed to the Supreme Court after losing in front of the state's highest court on a lawsuit from the city of Honolulu. Other companies that have faced lawsuits elsewhere include Chevron, Exxon Mobil and BP.

The companies argue emissions are a national issue that should instead be fought over in federal court, where they've successfully had suits tossed out.

"The stakes in this case could not be higher," attorneys wrote in court documents. The lawsuits "present a serious threat to one of the nation's most vital industries."