Will Judges Have the Last Word on Climate Change?: QuickTake

In the fight against climate change, one tool is proving increasingly popular: litigation. From the U.S. to Europe and India, activists, governments and concerned citizens have turned to the courts. Supporters want them to force oil companies and governments to pay for past harms and avert future threats. Opponents say climate change policy is a matter for national governments and international treaties, not a handful of judges.

1. Why turn to the courts?

Activists and environmentally minded lawyers are seeking new ways to use the law to slow global warming and assign responsibility for the resulting economic damages. They ...