Did you know you have been lied to for the past five decades? The culprit? The fossil fuel industry, which has been promoting misinformation about climate science since the 1970s.  In 2020, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sued Exxon Mobil under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) which prohibits unfair acts of deception in trade and commerce. Connecticut v. Exxon Mobil Corporation alleges that Exxon engaged in deceptive practices by misleading consumers about the harmful impact of its business on the climate. The Connecticut Superior Court recently denied Exxon’s motion to dismiss, allowing the case to proceed.  This summer I was an intern for the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General and dealt particularly with the CT v. Exxon Mobil Corp. lawsuit. Because of my work on this case, my perspective on the world of fossil fuels has greatly shifted, particularly as a young consumer who owns a car. I have become increasingly more aware of my gas usage. In the future, I hope to one day own a fully electric vehicle. But for now, I am more selective about the type of gas I buy, how often I fill up, and how far I drive. I additionally try to carpool with others and walk or bike whenever I can. The extent of the misinformation that I encountered during my internship was eye-opening. Katherine Meslow The accusations in the suit all point to a key concept, greenwashing. Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing strategy that refers to companies or organizations falsely promoting themselves as “environmentally friendly” while engaging in environmentally harmful practices. This often involves marketing tactics that falsely claim eco-friendliness to create a positive public image without making meaningful changes to reduce environmental impact, ultimately affecting policy and action against climate change. In CT v. Exxon Mobil Corp., the effect of greenwashing extends beyond individual choices. When companies like Exxon Mobil project a false image of environmental responsibility, they delay necessary action and sway public opinion, making it harder to effectively address the urgent climate crisis.  Consumers find themselves caught in this web of environmental misinformation. This disillusionment is not just a personal setback; it affects public trust and the effectiveness of environmental policies. In Connecticut, Exxon Mobil has deceived consumers each time they have purchased gasoline by failing to disclose the harms of their products. Additionally, examples of greenwashing can be found in the media. In particular, Exxon Mobil published several climate change advertisements from the 1980s- 2000s in the New York Times that falsely claimed the company was a “climate advocate.” The ads were designed to raise doubts in the public and focused particularly on climate science and global warming, such as stating uncertainty about whether greenhouse gasses play a role in global warming, when in fact Exxon scientists knew it did. These deceptive claims affect the trust of consumers and how they make choices.  Greenwashing also has severe consequences on the environment. It is factual science that fossil fuels are the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere. The extraction, processing, and consumption of fossil fuels drive rising global temperatures, pollution, extreme weather, sea-level rise, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. Communities near extraction sites suffer the most from environmental and health impacts. When companies greenwash the public and make false claims, the true costs of fossil fuel dependency are obscured. This erodes the public’s trust.  Industries must be held accountable and transparent about their environmental impacts. Beyond just changes by consumers, changes by the state legislator are crucial. Connecticut’s CUTPA, which Exxon Mobil is being accused of violating, needs to be altered. While it provides a framework against misleading and deceptive practices, updates should include: 1) broadening the definition of unfair acts to include greenwashing, 2) imposing stricter penalties, 3) requiring sustainability reports, and 4) educating the public on their rights. These changes are crucial for consumers as they enable informed choices and hold companies accountable for their environmental claims. By tackling greenwashing and enhancing transparency, consumers can trust that their purchases genuinely support sustainability. In turn, this accountability encourages businesses to adopt true eco-friendly practices.  Proponents of climate-based misinformation argue that there is still significant uncertainty in climate science. This argument creates doubt about the consensus on human-induced climate change. However, the overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that climate change is real, and largely driven by human activities, like the burning of fossil fuels. Major scientific organizations, including the IPCC, have affirmed this position, indicating that the arguments against climate change often lack credible scientific backing. And therefore make the act of greenwashing and misinformation extremely wrong.  Connecticut v. Exxon Mobil Corporation underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the fossil fuel industry. It highlights the importance of scrutinizing corporate claims and demanding genuine actions. In a time of widespread misinformation, we must advocate for a sustainable future. As consumers, policymakers, and advocates, we should recognize greenwashing and support efforts to hold companies accountable for their environmental impact. By doing so, we can become more informed and responsible. Katherine Meslow is a senior at Trinity College, majoring in Public Policy and Law and minoring in Urban Studies.