BP has given the green light for Venture Global LNG’s Calcasieu Pass facility to begin commercial production, ending a dispute over access to LNG. This move will make Venture Global the second-largest US LNG exporter by the end of the year, bolstering America’s position as a global leader in the sector.
Environmental lawsuits are on the rise, with ordinary people around the world taking on oil and gas companies. From an Iraqi man suing BP over his son’s death to young activists filing a climate lawsuit in the US, these cases are setting important precedents and highlighting the devastating impact of oil and gas production on human health and the environment. One study found that children born to mothers living near oil and gas developments are up to 70% more likely to be born with congenital heart defects, and researchers have also found an increased risk of cancer among workers and residents living near oil facilities.
Hussein Julood, a father from Iraq, has filed a lawsuit against BP, alleging that pollution from the company’s oil field operations caused his son’s leukemia. The lawsuit, which is believed to be the first of its kind, seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and moral damages. An investigation two years ago found high levels of cancer-causing pollutants in Julood’s village, which is located near the BP-run Rumaila oil field. BP has stated that it is aware of the concerns and supports efforts to reduce flaring practices.
