By Qamar Bashir
The American nation consistently demonstrates remarkable resilience and unity in
combating natural and man-made disasters. Currently, while Donald Trump advocates
reversing global climate change efforts under the Paris Accord and reintroducing coal,
gas, and oil as primary energy sources—key contributors to global warming—the state of
California is grappling with devastating wildfires. Amidst this crisis, first responders,
including firefighters, police, National Guard members, and volunteers, have showcased
unparalleled dedication, resilience, and commitment to saving lives, containing fires, and
providing relief to victims.
As of January 12, 2025, the wildfires in California, particularly in the Los Angeles area,
have devastated over 35,840 acres (56 square miles) since they began on January 7, 2025.
The fires have claimed at least 16 lives, left 16 individuals missing, and destroyed more
than 12,000 structures, including homes and businesses. Nearly 180,000 residents have
been evacuated, and the economic losses are estimated between $135 billion and $150
billion, potentially making these fires the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The
situation remains critical as strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions continue to fuel
the blazes, complicating firefighting efforts and causing significant human,
environmental, and economic losses.
The devastating wildfires in Southern California are the result of a complex interplay of
factors, with climate change playing a significant role. Rising global temperatures have
led to prolonged droughts and increased the frequency of extreme weather events,
creating conditions conducive to wildfires. Specifically, the region has experienced
“climate whiplash,” characterized by rapid transitions between wet and dry periods. This
pattern promotes the growth of vegetation during wet periods, which subsequently dries
out during droughts, providing ample fuel for fires. While natural factors like the Santa
Ana winds have historically influenced wildfire behavior in California, the intensification and increased frequency of these fires are closely linked to anthropogenic climate change
and environmental degradation.
While use of fossil fuel is considered the main culprit for climate change and the prime
reason for devastating wild fired, the President Elect Donald Trump has declared the
policy of prioritizing fossil fuels as the primary energy source—marked by his rollback
of environmental regulations and opposition to renewable energy solutions like wind and
solar—poses significant risks for accelerating climate change.
By increasing reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas, such policies would lead to higher
greenhouse gas emissions, intensifying global warming and exacerbating extreme
weather conditions. This approach undermines efforts to transition to cleaner energy
alternatives that could mitigate environmental degradation. The resulting climate impacts,
including prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and erratic weather patterns, would create the
perfect conditions for more frequent and severe wildfires, similar to those devastating
California. These fires not only destroy ecosystems and homes but also release massive
amounts of carbon dioxide, creating a feedback loop that further accelerates climate
change.
In his latest Press Conference, Mr. Trump mocked wind energy in the most hideous
manner. Additionally, he criticized the lifecycle of wind turbines, stating that after 10
years, the structures become obsolete, creating non-biodegradable waste that poses a
long-term environmental hazard.
His administration withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, arguing that it
unfairly burdened the American economy. Key initiatives included repealing the Clean
Power Plan, opening federal lands and offshore areas for fossil fuel extraction, and
rolling back methane emission rules. Trump also streamlined permitting processes for
energy projects, championed pipelines like Keystone XL and Dakota Access, and
reduced funding and incentives for renewable energy programs, prioritizing traditional
energy sources over clean alternatives.
Trump’s fossil fuel agenda was driven by a focus on economic growth, job creation, and
energy independence. He aimed to support blue-collar workers in energy-rich states and
rural communities whose livelihoods depended on coal and oil. His policies appealed to
key constituencies while emphasizing reduced regulatory oversight to lower costs and
accelerate energy projects. Additionally, Trump’s skepticism toward climate change and
the potential economic impacts of environmental policies reinforced his push for fossil fuel dominance. He framed energy exports as a geopolitical tool, promoting U.S. energy
independence as a pillar of national security and global influence.
The United States, long recognized as a global leader in shaping critical decisions on
international platforms, appears to be retreating from its leadership role, particularly in
addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change. Donald
Trump’s environmental policies reflect a self-centered and short-sighted approach,
prioritizing immediate economic gains while ignoring the long-term, devastating
consequences for the American people, the United States, and the global community.
These policies not only undermine global climate efforts but also risk encouraging other
nations, particularly resource-constrained ones, to follow suit. Such actions could lead to
a collective backslide into reliance on fossil fuels, accelerating environmental
degradation and exacerbating the severity and frequency of disasters like the ongoing
California wildfires.
The implications of these policies are alarming. Increased reliance on fossil fuels
contributes to rising global temperatures, which intensify the likelihood of wildfires,
tsunamis, earthquakes, droughts, floods, Glacier melting and other extreme weather
events. These disasters wreak havoc on human lives, habitats, and biodiversity, further
destabilizing vulnerable ecosystems and exacerbating socio-economic challenges. For
instance, the California wildfires are a stark reminder of the destructive potential of
climate inaction, costing billions in damages, displacing communities, and devastating
natural habitats.
One can only hope that the scale of such disasters will prompt Donald Trump to
reconsider his environmental stance and adopt policies that prioritize sustainable
development and global cooperation. A renewed commitment to combating climate
change could not only restore hope for reversing environmental degradation but also
reaffirm the United States' role as a global leader in addressing this existential threat.
