Why is Los Angeles burning?
Also: Jimmy Carter worried about people not politics, Supreme Court may uphold TikTok ban, and Trump's quest for Greenland
Los Angeles is currently facing one of the most devastating wildfire crises in its history. The scale of destruction and the challenges ahead paint a grim picture, highlighting both immediate concerns and long-term implications.
What’s the latest?
As of now, multiple fires are raging across Los Angeles County, with little sign of containment. These fires have already claimed at least 10 lives, destroyed thousands of buildings, and forced over 180,000 people to flee their homes.
The main Palisades Fire has consumed over 19,000 acres and threatens more than 13,000 structures. Smaller but equally concerning fires, such as the Kenneth Fire and Eaton Fire, have collectively contributed to the crisis.
The destruction is staggering, with over 10,000 buildings reduced to rubble and an estimated $8 billion in losses. Officials are battling not only flames but also logistical challenges like water shortages, power outages, and public safety issues. Boil water notices have been issued for affected areas, and 274,000 residents are currently without electricity. National Guard troops have been deployed to prevent looting in evacuation zones.
Political tensions have risen, with questions surrounding the city’s preparedness. Criticism of water system failures during firefighting efforts has drawn scrutiny, although officials attribute the issues to unprecedented demand.
What caused the fires?
The fires are the result of a perfect storm of environmental and meteorological factors. It has been an unusually dry season. Downtown Los Angeles has received just 0.16 inches of rain since October, which has left vegetation parched and highly flammable. Compounding this is the influence of the Santa Ana winds, notorious for fanning flames with gusts exceeding 90 mph.
The winds exacerbate fire conditions by drying out vegetation further and spreading embers rapidly, turning small sparks into raging infernos. While investigators are still determining the specific causes, some previous California wildfires have been linked to power line failures or human activity. However, there is no conclusive evidence yet linking these fires to such incidents.
What Is the climate impact?
The Los Angeles wildfires underscore a larger issue: climate change. Rising global temperatures have intensified droughts and prolonged fire seasons, creating a feedback loop of destruction. California, in particular, is experiencing its driest 22-year period in over a millennium, with warmer temperatures amplifying vegetation dryness.
Wildfires, once seasonal, now extend beyond traditional boundaries. Experts warn that late-season fires may become more frequent as climate change worsens. Research also suggests that Santa Ana winds could grow more intense, further heightening wildfire risks in Southern California.
Globally, wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity, driven by similar climate trends. These fires destroy ecosystems, release vast amounts of carbon dioxide, and reduce air quality, affecting millions. The cumulative effect of these disasters is a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat climate change through carbon reduction and sustainable practices.
Looking ahead
The fires are expected to rage on due to continued dry conditions and strong winds. While firefighters and emergency responders are working tirelessly, the challenge ahead is immense. This crisis serves as a wake-up call for communities to prepare for a future where wildfires are not the exception but the norm.
↳ Dig Deeper: 4 Graphics Explain Los Angeles’ Rare and Devastating January Fires (World Resources Institute)
At Jimmy Carter's funeral, America rediscovers his presidential achievements
America bid farewell to President Jimmy Carter during his state funeral Thursday in a rare moment of bipartisan unity and reflection. Observances for the life of the 39th president, who passed away at 100 years old, provided an opportunity to reconsider his presidency and reassess its lasting impact.
In a private funeral at the Georgia Baptist church where Carter taught Sunday school for decades, his life was celebrated for its humility and service. At the national cathedral in Washington, Carter’s presidency was framed as more consequential than many had realized. President Joe Biden, eulogizing Carter, declared, “Today, many think he was from a bygone era. But in reality, he saw well into the future.”
Carter’s presidency faced significant challenges including inflation, the energy crisis, and the Iran hostage situation. These crises overshadowed his achievements at the time, contributing to his landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1980. However, former Carter adviser Stuart Eizenstat used his eulogy to “redeem” his presidency by countering the perception that Carter’s legacy was confined to his post-presidential humanitarian work. Eizenstat emphasized, “The test of American presidents is not the number of years they serve but the duration of their accomplishments. By this measure, Jimmy Carter was among the most consequential one-term presidents in American history.”
Carter’s achievements during his presidency were substantial. He brokered the Camp David Accords, a landmark peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, and established diplomatic relations with China. Domestically, he deregulated key industries, created the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and advanced environmental and energy policies ahead of their time. Eizenstat summed it up: “He may not be a candidate for Mount Rushmore, but he belongs in the foothills.”
The service at the Washington National Cathedral also served as a historic gathering of current and former leaders. President-elect Donald Trump, just days away from his second inauguration, was seated alongside Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden. Despite years of tense relations and political division, the leaders shared a rare moment of reverence, with Trump and Obama even sharing a laugh. Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in November, and former Vice President Mike Pence, estranged from Trump after the 2021 Capitol riot fallout, were also present. This unusual gathering underscored the transition’s tense backdrop, but it also reflected Carter’s ability to inspire moments of unity even in fractious times.
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Tributes at the funeral highlighted Carter’s character and integrity. Biden remarked how Carter’s friendship taught him that “strength of character is more than title or the power we hold.” Ted Mondale, reading a letter from his late father, Vice President Walter Mondale, observed that Carter’s presidency “stood as a marker for Americans dedicated to justice and decency.”
Carter’s legacy extends beyond his humble beginnings and the presidency. He spent four decades waging peace, eradicating disease, and championing human rights. Once seen as a political failure, he is now remembered as a testament to enduring values and achievements that shaped America and the world. His story, as Biden stated, is “the best of humankind and the best of America.”
🗳️ More Politics
➤ Supreme Court seems likely to uphold TikTok ban
One of the most popular social media apps in the country may disappear next week. (Axios)
➤ Trump gets no jail time or penalties in sentence for hush money conviction
President-elect Donald Trump has been sentenced to unconditional discharge for his conviction last year on 34 charges of business fraud related to hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. (CNN)
🌎 Around the world
➤ U.S. in talks with Taliban for release of Americans held in Afghanistan, source says
The Taliban say they are demanding the release of three people, including Muhammad Rahim, the only Afghan national left at Guantánamo Bay. (NBC News)
➤ Gaza death toll has been significantly underreported, study finds
The number of people killed in Gaza is significantly higher than the figure reported by authorities in the enclave, a peer-reviewed study by researchers from a leading health research university in the UK has found. (CNN)
👩💻 Technology
➤ Leaked Meta rules: Users are free to post “Mexican immigrants are trash!” or “trans people are immoral”
Under Meta’s relaxed hate speech rules, users can now post “I’m a proud racist” or “Black people are more violent than whites.” (The Intercept)
Dig Deeper: What’s Behind Meta’s MAGA Makeover? (New York Times)
⚕️Health and wellness
➤ How worried do I need to be about alcohol and cancer
Well, dry January is off with a bang. Last week, surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy called to add cancer-risk warnings to alcohol labels.The Cut spoke with three experts to better understand just how worried we need to be about drinking and cancer. (The Cut)
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