Don't Ask Me, I Don't Speak Gaia: Juror Attribution of Responsibility in Toxic Tort Climate Change Cases

• In Event: Perceptions of Jurors and Justices

Abstract

As climate changes, there has been increased litigation against industries and/or governments perceived as perpetrators of actions that contribute to climate change.
A 2x2x2 factorial, between persons, non-repeated measures design was constructed to examine juror characteristics and their relationship between verdicts and damage awards in these cases. Ss scientific knowledge, climate attitudes, and behaviors were analyzed to see if their verdicts and damage awards could be predicted by these variables.
Extensive statistical analyses revealed significant relationships between all independent variables and trial outcome. Future research in climate change litigation and applications are discussed.

Author

• Liz Athaide-Victor, Tiffin University