California sues automakers for ‘public nuisance’ of global warming News
California sues automakers for ‘public nuisance’ of global warming

[JURIST] The state of California filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit [complaint, PDF] against six leading US and Japanese car manufacturers on Wednesday, alleging that vehicle emissions of greenhouse gases [EPA backgrounder] from cars made by the companies have contributed to global warming constituting a 'public nuisance' that has cost it millions of dollars. The said [press release] complaint brought by state Attorney General Bill Lockyer against Chrysler, General Motors Corporation, Ford, Toyota, Honda and Nissan alleges that vehicles manufactured by the companies "currently account for nearly 20 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States and more that 30 percent in California."

California passed the nation's first bill [JURIST report] to restrict greenhouse gas emissions in early September. The legislation's goal is to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent before 2020. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.