A2AI-generatedOctober 7, 2026·2 min read·269 words·5 vocab words·Source: The Guardian Environment

US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants

Q: Should oil companies pay for damage caused by climate change, or should taxpayers pay?

This is a discussion question for the article "US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants". The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts c

Q: How does your local government handle environmental problems?

This is a discussion question for the article "US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants". The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts c

Q: Do you think courts or lawmakers are better at solving climate problems?

This is a discussion question for the article "US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants". The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts c

Q: What will happen if the Supreme Court stops all climate lawsuits?

This is a discussion question for the article "US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants". The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts c

Q: How often do you think about the environment when you buy things?

This is a discussion question for the article "US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants". The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts c

Q: Is it fair for a judge to step aside if they own stocks in a company involved in a case?

This is a discussion question for the article "US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants". The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts c

Q: How has the weather changed in your country over the last ten years?

This is a discussion question for the article "US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants". The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts c

Q: What can normal people do to reduce the use of fossil fuels?

This is a discussion question for the article "US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants". The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts c

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US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants — Photo: Mountain landscape in Khan Tengri Nature Park, Tien Shan Aerial View by Maryliflower (CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons) (CC BY-SA 4.0)

In brief

The US Supreme Court recently heard a major climate case. Boulder County, Colorado, is suing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy for climate damage costs. However, the oil companies argue that state courts cannot hear these cases. If the Supreme Court agrees with the companies, it could stop many other climate lawsuits across the United States.

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On Monday, the US Supreme Court started its new nine-month term. The justices heard arguments in a very important climate case.

In 2018, local officials in Boulder County, Colorado, started a lawsuit in a state court. They sued Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil. Suncor is a Canadian oil company. The officials said these companies knew about the dangers of burning fossil fuels. However, the companies did not tell the truth to the public. Now, the climate crisis is causing expensive damage. Boulder wants the oil companies to pay for some of these costs. Local taxpayers should not pay for all of it.

But the oil companies do not want this state lawsuit. They argue that federal law stops state courts from hearing this case. If the Supreme Court agrees with the oil companies, it will stop many other climate lawsuits across the US.

The hearing lasted for almost two hours. Justice Samuel Alito did not participate because he owns oil stocks. Because of this, only eight justices are deciding the case. There are five conservative justices and three liberal justices. Boulder only needs one conservative justice to win the case.

Kannon Shanmugam, the lawyer for the oil companies, spoke to the court. He said that climate change is a very big problem. However, he argued that state courts are the wrong place for these cases. He believes that lawmakers must solve this issue instead of courts.

Experts watched the hearing closely. Some experts are now worried about Boulder because the justices asked many questions about the main arguments. The final decision will affect the future of climate lawsuits in America.

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Comprehension

Question 1 of 3

When did Boulder County first start its lawsuit against the oil companies?

Grammar spotlight

Past Simple for Completed Actions

One point · A2

We use the past simple to talk about actions that happened and finished in the past, often with a specific time like 'On Monday' or 'In 2018'.

From this article

“On Monday, the US Supreme Court started its new nine-month term.”

What to know · A2

Use it today

Try saying this aloud

Neutral register

Scenario: You are discussing a news story about a major legal decision with a classmate.

01“They did not tell the truth.”
02“The hearing lasted for almost two hours.”
03“The final decision will affect the future.”

Register tip · informal

🔑Key Phrases

“started its new nine-month term”— comenzó su nuevo período de nueve meses

Refers to the official annual working period of a high court.

Past simple verb phrase with possessive pronoun and adjective modifier

The university started its new nine-month term in September.

“dangers of burning fossil fuels”— peligros de quemar combustibles fósiles

A common phrase used to discuss the negative impacts of oil, coal, and gas.

Noun + preposition + gerund phrase

Scientists often warn us about the dangers of burning fossil fuels.

“only eight justices are deciding”— solo ocho jueces están decidiendo

Highlights a reduced number of judges participating in a decision.

Present continuous tense with 'only' adverb modifier

Because of the emergency, only eight justices are deciding the case today.

Accent

Article Audio — Kokoro TTS

US Supreme Court Hears Major Climate Case Against Oil Giants

💬Discussion Questions

Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.

1
Should oil companies pay for damage caused by climate change, or should taxpayers pay?
Evaluate
2
How does your local government handle environmental problems?
Compare
3
Do you think courts or lawmakers are better at solving climate problems?
Opinion
4
What will happen if the Supreme Court stops all climate lawsuits?
Predict
5
How often do you think about the environment when you buy things?
Personal
6
Is it fair for a judge to step aside if they own stocks in a company involved in a case?
Evaluate
7
How has the weather changed in your country over the last ten years?
Compare
8
What can normal people do to reduce the use of fossil fuels?
Opinion