Fires devastate Los Angeles
On January 7, 2025, a series of fierce wildfires erupted across the Los Angeles area, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds and severe drought. The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, scorched over 23,000 acres, tearing through Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. At least 29 people have been confirmed dead, including some who died while trying to protect their homes, and dozens more were injured, including firefighters.
The fires forced over 100,000 people to evacuate, with officials reporting widespread destruction of homes, schools, churches, and historic landmarks. Malibu was hit hardest, with a third of the city lost. The Eaton Fire, which ignited shortly after the Palisades Fire, also destroyed thousands of structures, leaving an estimated $20 billion in insured losses.
The region’s infrastructure was crippled, causing power outages and traffic chaos during evacuations. Investigators suspect downed power lines may have sparked the fires. As California faces more extreme fire seasons, experts warn that disasters like these may become increasingly frequent.
Trump Withdraws U.S. from Paris Climate Agreement
President Donald Trump has officially signed an order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, reversing key environmental policies from the Biden administration. Speaking at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Trump labeled the accord a “ripoff” and pledged to boost oil and gas production, stating, “We will drill, baby, drill.”
The White House also declared a “national energy emergency,” rolling back Biden-era climate regulations, ending federal land leases for wind energy, and dismantling investments in clean energy and electric vehicles.
This move follows 2024’s record-breaking global temperatures, exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—a threshold set in the Paris Agreement. With this decision, the U.S. joins Iran, Yemen, and Libya as the only countries outside the pact.
UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell warned that ignoring clean energy could lead to economic losses and intensified climate disasters. However, he noted that “the door remains open” for future U.S. re-engagement.
Works Cited:
Lindahl, Chris. “12th Palisades Fire Death Reported.” Pacific Palisades, ca Patch, Patch, 29 Jan. 2025, patch.com/california/pacificpalisades/12th-palisades-fire-death-reported. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
McGrath, Matt. “Trump Vows to Quit Paris Climate Pact and ‘Drill, Baby, Drill.’” Bbc.com, BBC News, 20 Jan. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20px1e05w0o. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
McGrath, Matt. “LA Fires Made Worse by Climate Change, Say Scientists.” Bbc.com, BBC News, 28 Jan. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd9qy4knd8wo. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Stelloh, Tim, et al. “California Wildfires: What We Know about L.A.-Area Fires, What Caused Them, Who Is Affected and More.” NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025, www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-wildfires-what-we-know-palisades-eaton-los-angeles-rcna188239. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
“The Inaugural Address – the White House.” The White House, 20 Jan. 2025, www.whitehouse.gov/remarks/2025/01/the-inaugural-address/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect nor represent the Earth Chronicles and its editorial board.
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