Why Everything They Say About California Fires — Including That Climate Matters Most — Is Wrong
By News
Published 5 years ago on
November 5, 2019
Share
[aggregation-styles]
Forbes
Forbes
In 2018, a fire ripped through the town of Paradise, California, killing 85 people. It was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state’s history.
Many blame climate change.“The reason these wildfires have worsened is because of climate change,” said Leonardo DiCaprio.“This is what climate change looks like,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
On Sunday, after President Donald Trump tweeted, “The Governor of California, @GavinNewsom, has done a terrible job of forest management,” Newsom tweeted back, “You don’t believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation.”
But can the increase in fires in California really be blamed on climate change?
I asked Dr. Jon Keeley, a US Geological Survey scientist who has researched the topic for 40 years, if he thought the 2018 Paradise fire could be attributed to climate change.
“Climate captures attention. I can even see it in the scientific literature. Some of our most high-profile journals will publish papers that I think are marginal. But because they find climate to be an important driver of some change, they give preference to them. It captures attention.” — Dr. Jon Keeley, a US Geological Survey scientist
Liabilities from wildfires started by its powerlines bankrupted Pacific Gas & Electric, which cut off power to nearly one million homes and businesses last month to prevent wind from triggering and fanning fires.Many blame climate change.“The reason these wildfires have worsened is because of climate change,” said Leonardo DiCaprio.“This is what climate change looks like,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
On Sunday, after President Donald Trump tweeted, “The Governor of California, @GavinNewsom, has done a terrible job of forest management,” Newsom tweeted back, “You don’t believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation.”
But can the increase in fires in California really be blamed on climate change?
I asked Dr. Jon Keeley, a US Geological Survey scientist who has researched the topic for 40 years, if he thought the 2018 Paradise fire could be attributed to climate change.
By Michael Shellenberger | 4 Nov 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
Stock Market Today: Wall Street Drifts to a Mixed Finish in a Quiet Day of Trading
Economy /
4 hours ago
US Service Member Shot and Killed by Florida Police Identified by the Air Force
National /
4 hours ago
Own a Business? Learn How to Get a Piece of the $5.5 Billion Visa/Mastercard Settlement
Business /
8 hours ago
CA Restaurants Shouldn’t Be Shocked That ‘Junk Fees’ Ban Applies to Them
Opinion /
9 hours ago
Did California’s Massive COVID Homeless Shelter Program Work? A New Evaluation Probes the Results
Housing /
9 hours ago
LA Police Make Arrest in Murder of Fresno Human Trafficking Fighter’s Daughter
On Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested a 14-year-old girl for the March murder of Kendra McIntyre, the daughter of Breaking t...
Crime /
2 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
Crime /
2 hours ago
LA Police Make Arrest in Murder of Fresno Human Trafficking Fighter’s Daughter
Crime /
3 hours ago
Fresno Man Charged With Murder in Woman’s Fentanyl Death
Economy /
4 hours ago
Stock Market Today: Wall Street Drifts to a Mixed Finish in a Quiet Day of Trading
National /
4 hours ago