Hurricanes & Fires in a Pandemic: The Climate Crisis is here
DAVID MCNEW VIA GETTY IMAGES
As news comes in about the upcoming elections, set against a backdrop of a pandemic, we are now also bearing witness to two natural disasters in the United States: horrifying fires on the West Coast have killed at least 33 people and displaced thousands of others and, although firefighters are now starting to make progress against several of the wildfires, the dry conditions could still change the course of this step towards controlling the situation. At the same time, we are learning of Hurricane Sally’s impact on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, as part of what federal forecasters have named an “extremely active” hurricane season. The climate crisis is here and it is clear that we need to act now.
JOE RAEDLE VIA GETTY IMAGES
The Coronavirus pandemic, together with climate change, needs to be addressed in the presidential candidates’ agendas. This week Wade Crawfoot, a California Cabinet secretary, confronted President Trump when the latter tried to dismiss attention and disregard scientific information on the extreme heat and fires that have been affecting the country for the last month. Meanwhile, Democratic operatives are prodding Joe Bidden to capitalize on climate change in his push for voters (more specifically, Latinx voters).
How can we help? Be informed, ask and act. The Tishman Center’s role is to educate and prepare students through experiential learning to become leaders in this change toward a more just and sustainable society. You can join us next week for our events during NYC Climate Week:
Wednesday, September 23
3:30-4:45 PM
Climate Justice in NYC: A Discussion with the Climate Change and Environmental Justice Leaders
Thursday, September 24
4:30-5:30 PM