By Shibasis Rath
Bioscience and technology enthusiast, specializing in life sciences and innovative tech solutions.

Los Angeles Commonly Known as the home of Hollywood and the heart of America's film industry, has been the setting for uncountable many disasters on the silver screen.

From earthquakes to tsunamis, tornadoes to alien invasions (Cinema), the city has endured numerous cinematic calamities.

However, reality has now totally changed as Los Angeles faces a devastating wildfire crisis.

The Current Situation

The ongoing wildfires have wreaked havoc across Los Angeles, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake:

• At least 24 fatalities reported in LA.

• Fire spread across nearly 40,000 acres.

• Over 12,000 buildings destroyed.

• More than 180,000 people displaced.

• Approximately 200,000 people under evacuation notices.

• Estimated financial loss of $50 billion, according to JP Morgan.

The fires, which started on January 7th in the Palisades area, have since spread to Eaton, Hurst, Kenneth, Lidia, Archer, Woodley, and Sunset. Firefighters had been able to control the fires in some areas up to January 12th, but others were still largely uncontrolled.

Peculiar Timing and Climate Change

The fact that such destructive wildfires occurred in January is particularly alarming, as this is usually Los Angeles' wettest month. This unusual timing points to a larger issue: climate change.

Climate scientists, among them NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Peter Kalmus, have warned that the earth is increasingly on the edge for extreme weather due to global warming. Last year, 2023, is the hottest recorded year since 1850 with an average global temperature of 1.48 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial times.

The Role of Climate Change

Climate change has exacerbated conditions conducive to wildfires in Southern California:

Reduced rainfall leading to lower humidity

Dried vegetation

Strong offshore winds (Santa Ana winds)

Record-breaking temperatures in recent months

These factors have combined to create an environment highly susceptible to fire ignition and rapid spread.

Human Factors and Responsibility

While natural causes like lightning strikes can trigger wildfires, human activities are responsible for 85% of wildfires in the United States, according to the National Park Service. The current Palisades fire is suspected to have been triggered by New Year's fireworks.

However, the root cause of the increasing frequency and intensity of these wildfires lies in human-induced climate change. A study published in the PNAS Journal revealed that the number of fire-weather days in California has increased from 66% to 90% over recent decades.

Corporate Responsibility and Climate Denial

Investigations have revealed that just 57 companies are responsible for 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 2016. Many of these are multinational oil, gas, and coal companies.

Shockingly, documents uncovered by climate investigator Rebecca John show that the fossil fuel industry has been aware of the potential for climate change due to carbon dioxide emissions since the 1950s. Despite this knowledge, these companies continued to exploit fossil fuels and actively worked to spread disinformation and hamper the growth of renewable energy.

How To Address This Crisis

This is the reason why climate scientists like Peter Kalmus call for the following:

• Holding corporations accountable for their role in climate change

• Transitioning to sustainable energy sources

• Civil disobedience against the status quo

• Reducing the influence of billionaires and large corporations on government policies

As individuals, we have to continue to exercise safety, advocate for policies that place environmental concerns over ephemeral corporate profits, and support sustainable practices. Only through such collective action can we hopefully aspire to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent a repeat of the disaster that is currently unfolding in Los Angeles.

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