As the wildfires blaze across Los Angeles, at least 10 lives have been lost, 180,000 individuals have been forced to flee their homes, and approximately 40 square miles have been consumed by the flames. This catastrophe is fanned by relentless winds and an unexpected drought during what is usually California’s rainy season. It’s a stark reminder of how climate change is making wildfires not only more frequent but also more destructive, leaving devastation in their wake. In response, President Joe Biden has mobilized federal resources, while on the other hand, President-elect Donald Trump, recently sentenced for criminal activities, has used this tragedy as a platform to spread false information and deepen political divisions.
Climate change respects no boundaries. The recent deadly floods in Spain, the fires in Hawaii, and the severe droughts in East Africa illustrate that no place is immune from its effects. Nations must start prioritizing global environmental concerns over narrow self-interests. The vastness of this crisis suggests that all issues now warrant a perspective that considers environmental impact. However, Trump’s stance on denying climate science contributes to a cultural mistrust that not only delays truth but seeks to obliterate it altogether. This echoes tactics used by the fossil fuel industry, which, aware of the climate crisis, picks profit over accountability, misleading the public while our planet suffers.
We should be alarmed by the danger of politicizing uncertainty, especially following scientists’ announcement that 2024 will surpass the critical 1.5°C warming threshold and become the hottest year recorded. By politicizing climate change, Trump has transformed denial into a perceived identity marker. When disbelief becomes an ideological standpoint, facts cease to matter, complicating the path to concerted climate action.
While Trump’s potential return to power might not completely derail America’s journey towards decarbonization, it threatens to seriously stall progress. Last August, Carbon Brief’s analysis suggested that his policies could increase U.S. carbon emissions by 4 billion tonnes by 2030 compared to the plans of his Democratic counterparts—potentially causing global climate damages of $900 billion. To truly understand its impact, realize that this increase matches the combined annual emissions output of the EU and Japan or 140 of the world’s least-polluting nations. Tackling climate change requires acknowledging and dismantling the political mechanisms that foster denial. It’s irrefutable that the predominant economic growth model is deeply linked to environmental degradation, yet the right-wing political spectrum often clings to denial or an exaggerated reliance on market forces.
We find ourselves in an era defined by “hyper agency,” where billionaires, certain nations, and corporations operate with almost unbridled influence, perpetuating climate chaos and global instability. The systems designed to check their power are increasingly being dismantled, with devastating effects. If we fail to act promptly, future catastrophes won’t just serve as warnings but will be irrevocable. While expectations from Trump remain low, the European “green deal” also falls short, unable to fill this year’s projected gap in private investment, much less meet EU’s Paris climate agreement promises. To counteract climate denial, we need bold policies; businesses must confront their role in the crisis, and voters should see through the platitudes of right-wing populist parties that prioritize profit over environmental protection. The looming catastrophe isn’t somewhere far ahead—it’s already unfolding. Only immediate and decisive action can avert the potential downfall global warming poses to humanity.
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