Name: How we took on an oil giant — and won
Uploaded: 2025-09-22T14:42:48Z
Duration: 10 min 47 s
Description: Oil companies may seem invincible, but they are more vulnerable than you think, says climate justice litigator Melinda Janki. She tells the story of how she took on ExxonMobil in her home country of Guyana, notching historic wins against the oil giant — and proving that we can turn existing laws into powerful tools for change.

Melinda Janki: How we took on an oil giant — and won

How we took on an oil giant — and won

Oil companies may seem invincible, but they are more vulnerable than you think, says climate justice litigator Melinda Janki. She tells the story of how she took on ExxonMobil in her home country of Guyana, notching historic wins against the oil giant — and proving that we can turn existing laws into powerful tools for change.

Existing laws, when used with precision and courage, can hold even the biggest oil companies accountable. A landmark court victory in Guyana forced ExxonMobil to limit permits, account for global pollution, and provide unlimited guarantees for environmental harm. One case slashed a permit from 20 years to five simply by enforcing an overlooked rule. These wins prove that with persistence, legal action can curb fossil fuel destruction and inspire others to protect the planet.