In the aftermath of a record-breaking wildfire that destroyed 150,000 acres of forest, destroyed over 14,000 homes and killed at least 85 people in Northern California, President Trump said: “Nobody would have ever thought this could happen.”
But in truth, the scientific community did think so – and they warned us. Four years ago, the U.S. National Climate Assessment prepared by 300 experts and a 60-member Federal Advisory Committee raised the alarm that heatwaves and droughts were driving record wildfires, among other risks.
That report was updated this year and once again warns that from wildfires to severe storms and floods – climate change is “transforming where and how we live and presents growing challenges to human health and quality of life, the economy, and the natural systems that support us.”
We should demand that our leaders in government heed this warning. Instead, we see too many efforts to ignore, suppress or interfere with sound science in order to protect the interests of an old economy that remains on a collision course with our planet.
On this giving Tuesday, we hope you will take a moment to make a gift that will help us continue our 40+ year legacy of defending objective science- and fact-based analysis that keeps the conversation honest about the challenges we face – and shows how policymakers, businesses and civil society can finally accelerate the transition to a sustainable world that meets human needs.
We rely on your donations to fulfill that mission – and we gratefully accept every dollar you give with a deep sense of responsibility to leave a better world for our children and grandchildren. Thank you.
