Saúl Luciano Lliuya, a farmer from Peru, is suing German energy giant RWE. He says the company’s greenhouse gas emissions are endangering his home. It’s a David and Goliath battle that could set a precedent in holding major polluters accountable.
When Saúl Luciano Lliuya learned that RWE’s coal mining operations had apparently produced more CO2 emissions than the entire country of Peru, he became convinced that a lawsuit could be successful. Many communities in the Andes are witnessing the effects of climate change on a daily basis. Peru is now one of the countries most affected by global warming. A glacial lake above Luciano Lliuya’s home city has swollen significantly due to glacier meltwater resulting from climate change. Experts say a sudden major avalanche could cause the lake to burst through existing flood defenses, with deadly consequences for the city below. Up to 50,000 people would be affected. The family homes of Luciano Lliuya and his neighbors are also in the danger zone.
In 2015, Saúl Luciano Lliuya sued RWE in a German court. The "Saúl vs. RWE" case could have a ripple effect for the fossil fuel industry. After all, the case of Luciano Lliuya is not an isolated one: There are similar stories worldwide in poorer countries that have done little to contribute to the climate crisis yet feel its effects most profoundly. If Luciano Lliuya wins, the ruling could pave the way for many more lawsuits to come.
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