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After blaming "environmental terrorists," interior secretary admits climate change makes wildfires worse In a striking turn of events, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has acknowledged that climate change plays a role in the increasing severity of wildfires in California. This admission comes just a day after he publicly blamed "environmental terrorist groups" for exacerbating wildfire conditions by preventing timber harvesting, which he argued leads to worse wildfires. During a recent radio interview, Zinke seemed to pivot from his earlier statements that dismissed any link between climate change and the wildfires, stating, "wildfires have nothing to do with climate change."
Contextual Analysis
California's wildfire situation has escalated significantly, with two of the ongoing fires now ranking among the largest in the state's history. As the wildfire season unfolds, Zinke's comments highlight a growing acknowledgement among officials that environmental changes, particularly those driven by climate disturbances, could be contributing factors.Key Points:
- Zinke's Previous Statements: His earlier claims suggested a denial of climate change's impact, indicating that the blame lay solely on environmental policies.
- Wildfire Scale: Twenty wildfires are currently active in California, underscoring the scale of the issue as the wildfire season has not yet peaked.
- Environmental Discussion: Zinke's comments have sparked discussions about how environmental regulations and climate realities intersect, especially in the context of managing natural resources.