I’ve started writing this post at least five times this summer thinking it would mainly be about Arizona’s forever drought and take-no-prisoners record heat. Seemed like every week, the planet would climate convulse with new and deadlier phenomena. So, I’d set it aside. Didn’t want to write anything dated. Let’s see how this wacky summer plays out.
Well, it’s playing out in a spectacular, dramatic, and scary way as the Maui disaster attests. Now, as Hurricane Hilary threatens the West coast, Las Vegas and Phoenix – tropical systems haven’t whacked California since the 1930’s – there’s no need to wait any longer.
We are in a Climate Emergency…
here in the U.S. and around the world. The Biden administration won’t say those words, instead playing verbal gymnastics and campaign games in appearances this week on NPR. When asked directly if it was time to declare a Climate Emergency, Biden instead touted the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its many incentives to limit the need for fossil fuels. He used campaign talking points as Maui smoldered.
Notably, the phrase “Climate Emergency” was absent two weeks ago when the president created the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, a long overdue acknowledgement of Indigenous sovereignty and a roadblock to uranium mining in and around Grand Canyon. Instead, of declaring a “Climate Emergency, “ Biden prefers to say the new monument and the IRA are aiding "climate resilience." That’s a wishy washy term implying we can bulletproof the planet from disasters like Maui.
Ironically, “climate resilience” comes from the same administration backing the Willow oil exploration project in Alaska, which will damage indigenous communities there. Stunningly, Biden’s dual personality disorder - one minute a climate crusader and the next an oil well driller - is consistent with petroleum swigging Republicans whose plan to “drill baby drill” was outed a week ago. If Republicans, as they expect, get full control of our government in 2024, then Climate Emergency and climate resiliency be damned. America will be an unabashed backer of fossil fuels. And, yes, I think the Biden presidency is DOA but that’s another post.
Folks, despite both Biden’s duplicity and the GOP’s exploitive approach, events have pushed the Real World beyond arguing about whether climate change has been accelerated by human behavior. We should be well into “how do we respond to a Climate Emergency?” instead of avoiding the question. Getting there starts by saying it – repeat after me, we are in a CLIMATE EMERGENCY – and demanding better from our dysfunctional national and local leadership that is….
Doing Almost NOTHING!
The beyond awful conflagration on Maui is evidence of inaction. The slow motion cooking of Phoenix in July is another. Over 30 consecutive days at 110 or above will likely be responsible for 400+ deaths. Need more clues? Epic wildfires in Canada have people running for their lives and those of us downwind coughing through never-ending air quality alerts. We can go back to Hurricane Ian trashing Fort Myers Beach late last year, the massive floods in Vermont in July, the hot-tub ocean temperatures destroying coral in Florida, now a hurricane in California, and on and on. Some scientists theorize a climate collapse is underway as these events line up like proverbial falling dominos.
It feels as if we’ve poisoned the planet, and triggered a cascade of deadly catastrophes for which we are not prepared. Well, not prepared except in trying to shift blame as practiced both by climate denying Republicans and climate paralyzed Democrats.
Denial Exhibit One: Blame The Volcano
Yes, I did choke on my coffee while reading Arizona Republic editorial writer Phil Boas’ pitch this week. Phil suggested the Tonga-Hunga volcanic eruption in January 2022 is playing a role in all this. And that’s not all. Besides the volcano, Phil goes on to say new rules cutting Sulphur emissions are also climate warming catalysts.
It was a nod to the Sean Hannity method of injecting distracting factoids into various Trumpian screw ups as a way to deflect. Phil conveniently left out the part where Republicans, on the take from Big Oil and Big Coal, have raged for years about what they claim is the “voodoo science” of human-caused climate change. Leaning on the seeds of doubt they spread, they have done… well… nothing.
True. The submerged Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano blew up last year. True. It sent unprecedented amounts of moisture into the atmosphere. NASA says “…excess water vapor injected by the Tonga volcano…could remain in the stratosphere for several years. This extra water vapor could influence atmospheric chemistry, boosting certain chemical reactions that could temporarily worsen depletion of the ozone layer. It could also influence surface temperatures.”
But, come on, Phil. As the death toll rises in Hawaii, are you actually making excuses for decades of climate denial and subterfuge by Big Oil and its GOP apologists? Are you pulling a Sean Hannity with this volcano and Sulphur emissions stuff?
Mostly, I respect your role at the Republic scolding the progressive Left for its excesses and generally ignoring ridiculous behavior by the GOP. I guess when you’re the house scribe for the GOP, you job is to cover their asses.
Not this time, Phil. As rescue workers search through Maui’s ashes for incinerated bodies, there’s one word for your column: SHAMEFUL.
Unfortunately, there’s plenty of shame to pass around.
Democrats: Passing IRA Isn’t Enough
Rightfully, the Biden administration is proud of the IRA and its many incentives to move the nation to renewable energy. Even if you’re ready to throw down for your natural gas stove, getting to zero emissions is no longer a “nice to do.” It has to happen. So, good on you Joe!
What also has to happen is calling Maui and Fort Myers and Phoenix and Vermont what they are: ground zeroes of a Climate Emergency.
In an emergency, you do emergency things. You use executive power to incentivize insurance providers so people can rebuild smartly. You order rapid review and adaptation of climate-ready emergency responses for the next Maui-like disaster. You get coastal cities ready for the flooding that’s on the way as the polar ice caps melt. You force immediate and mandatory water conservation measures throughout the West. Enough with building water parks and golf courses and endless subdivisions and suggesting people conserve. We’re way past voluntary anything. DO IT!
Sound radical? Thankfully, yes. This is no time for “pardon me” politics.
We need FDR-style leadership. Let the GOP whine all they want about “socialism” as they cook in the forest fires or drown in their coastal mansions. Socialism is way better than the denial crap they’re serving up.
We are in a Climate Emergency. Let’s get to work dealing with it.