In Trump’s Fantasy World, Fish Set Fire to Los Angeles
Activists and scientists hoped that once more people experienced the dangers of the climate crisis firsthand, they’d be compelled to act. That’s not working out.
Activists and scientists hoped that once more people experienced the dangers of the climate crisis firsthand, they’d be compelled to act. That’s not working.
Photographer: Apu Gomes/Getty Images North AmericaIn what’s becoming a somewhat commonplace event, we’ve been inundated with apocalyptic images this week, currently emanating from Los Angeles. Wildfires are tearing through neighborhoods across the region, more than 200,000 people have been ordered to evacuate and at least 10 have died.
Once upon a time, activists and scientists alike thought that once people saw the impacts of climate change firsthand, they’d be moved to believe in the urgency of the crisis and, crucially, to act. But as with hurricanes and other extreme weather events that have come before, the California wildfires are proof that isn’t the case. Rather than baring the truth for all to see, misinformation and new flavors of climate denial are thriving in the chaos.