[Verse 1]
Total waste of space
Total waste of our place
Major oil
Nature’s spoil
[Chorus]
This time
It’s a crime
A Total crime
Of all time
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]
[Verse 2]
Total brought on the pain
Total bringing on violent rain
Fossil fuel fools
Greed’s tool
[Chorus]
This time
It’s a crime
A Total crime
Of all time
[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass]
[Bridge]
Oui, oui
We, we
We have a right
To life
We have to fight
Your strife
Oui, we
[Chorus]
This time
It’s a crime
A Total crime
Of all time
[Instrumental, Piano, Bass]
[Outro]
This time
It’s a crime
A Total crime
Of all time
A SCIENCE NOTE
May 21, 2024 — A criminal case has been filed against the CEO and directors of the French oil company TotalEnergies, alleging that its fossil fuel exploitation has contributed to the deaths of victims of climate-fueled extreme weather disasters.
The case was filed in Paris by eight individuals harmed by extreme weather, along with three NGOs. The plaintiffs believe this to be the first criminal case filed against the individuals running a major oil company. The public prosecutor who received the file has three months to decide whether to open a judicial investigation or dismiss the complaint.
The case aims to establish the alleged criminal liability of TotalEnergies’ directors and major shareholders for deliberately endangering lives, involuntary manslaughter, neglecting to address a disaster, and damaging biodiversity. If proven, such crimes are punishable by imprisonment and fines.
TotalEnergies has frequently been targeted by climate cases, with eight known cases, most of which remain active. Climate change litigation against companies and governments is increasing, with many hundreds of cases filed globally.
Notable European successes for climate campaigners include Shell being ordered by a Dutch court to almost halve its carbon emissions by 2030, a decision currently under appeal. Recent successes also include the European Court of Human Rights ruling in April that the Swiss government had failed to cut the country’s emissions adequately, and a UK High Court decision in May declaring the government’s climate action plan unlawful.
One plaintiff in the TotalEnergies complaint, known as William C, lost his mother in the floods brought by Storm Alex in southeastern France in 2020. “I am defending the honor of my mother, who died because of a climate disaster,” he said. “The choices that Total and its shareholders make at the annual general meeting will have a decisive impact on our lives in the future.”
Traditional economics is based upon the “costs and benefits” to society. Since there are no known long-term benefits of climate change to society, the Age of Loss and Damage economics focuses on the exponential costs of climate change to society.
Loss and damage litigation against oil companies and governments will change world economics.
— from The Age of Loss and Damage / Brouse (2023)