Maori leading the fight against climate change – again

Iwi leader Mike Smith takes OMV oil boss to International Criminal Court

Māori leader Mike Smith has shot the first arrow in a global war between indigenous communities and oil companies.

Smith has started legal proceedings in the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Rainer Seele, the CEO of Austrian oil giant OMV.

He said oil company executives deserved to stand trial for genocide and other climate crimes impacting on indigenous communities now and in the future.

Once again it is Māori and indigenous peoples who are leading the war on climate change.

Just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions that are causing the climate crisis, and big oil KNEW in the 1990s that they were creating catastrophic climate change.

The comparisons between how Big Tobacco lied and manipulated the science linking smoking to cancer is as audacious as Big Oil has lied and manipulated the science linking CO2 to global warming.

We should be collectively suing Big Oil now and using the payouts to fund the urgent Green transition away from fossil fuels.

It is outrageous that our Government has not led this fight and instead capitulate to the polluters rather than challenge them. Indigenous people have been at the forefront of the climate crisis battle and have been the frontline between corporate polluting greed and sustainable habitats.

You can see why the State illegally spied on Māori Iwi fighting big oil in this country.

Thank God for Māori leadership on this crucial issue. Again.