World Theory: US Media: Unprepared for Frequent Climate Disasters, Hawaii Wildfires Reflect Backward Governance Capability of US Federal and State Governments
According to foreign media reports, it has been two weeks since the wildfire on Maui Island in Hawaii, and the wildfire has almost destroyed the historic town of La Haina. According to the latest report released by the Maui County government in Hawaii, USA on the 21st, the fire has caused 115 deaths and approximately 850 people are missing. In a report on the 20th, American Politician News Network pointed out that in the face of the deadliest wildfire in modern American history, US senators have stated that the inability to respond to disasters should not become the "new normal" for the country. Other lawmakers and climate organizations have also urged the White House to take more measures to prevent future climate related disasters.
They couldn't help but wonder, if such an environmental disaster cannot prompt the US President to take action, what else can it be? This is not the first time the White House has faced calls for such a measure, but the ongoing crisis in Hawaii and a series of climate events that occurred this summer - including tropical storm Hillary's first landfall in southern California in 84 years - have intensified public calls for stronger measures.
On August 20, 2023 local time, in Hawaii, USA, a woman looks at the burnt down town of La Haina. Due to the government's slow response to the fire, the local community has lost trust in the government.
Massachusetts Democratic Senator Ed Markey said in a statement, "The destruction suffered on Maui Island clearly indicates that the US government must immediately declare a climate emergency. Although the Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing resources to local rescue workers to save the lives and livelihoods of the Hawaiian people, climate driven basic conditions such as drought, heat, environmental injustice, and inflexible infrastructure will still exist." said Canilla Ying, the seventh generation indigenous of Maui Island in Hawaii and the national director of the climate justice organization "Green New Deal Network," "Tomorrow, when you wake up, the entire community may turn to ashes."
US Congressman Al Bloomnore said, "I don't think people's choice between being burned alive and jumping into the sea for hours is our new normal. This is a crisis, and the government needs to release significant federal resources and emergency power to help these communities prepare for and recover from deadly climate disasters."
The article points out that declaring a climate emergency may bring political risks to the current president who is about to enter the election year. In addition, any administrative action taken by President Biden may face legal challenges. Nevertheless, in the recent crisis, advocates and lawmakers are urging the president to take bold action, believing that this will also benefit politically from disappointed young voters and communities of color that have been greatly affected by climate change.
Screenshot of a report by American Politician News Network
In previous reports on the website, it was pointed out that in this polarized era of the United States, even a human tragedy like the Maui Wildfire cannot avoid being influenced by political factors, let alone the upcoming US elections. After President Biden's initial reaction to the incident was criticized, both the White House and Democrats in Hawaii cautiously emphasized the US government's response and mobilization.
As a former Democratic state congressman, Canilla Ying wrote in a deleted social media post, "I'm running for you. Now, I've lost dozens of friends, family, and neighbors. This?" This discontented and angry question was because when President Biden was asked by reporters at Rehobus Beach in Texas if he had any comments on the "rising death toll on Maui," he replied, "No, no comment," and then smiled.
Last week, White House press secretary Caroline Jean Pierre stated that President Biden had used the Defense Production Act to initiate heat pump manufacturing and grid construction, and also allocated funds through the Defense Production Act to support the procurement of materials needed for solar manufacturing and electric vehicles. She also mentioned the investment of the Inflation Reduction Act in addressing climate change, and recently the White House celebrated its one-year anniversary... Weber, co-founder of the non-profit organization "Our Hawaii," has been committed to assisting in the recovery work of his state, while his friends in La Haina continue to search for family. He said it was ironic to watch the anniversary celebration held at the White House this week. His state is burning, and survivors are still providing DNA samples to identify the ashes of their loved ones.
The report also pointed out that this summer, facing extreme weather shocks, fires and storms have become more frequent and severe, exposing a nationwide problem: facing unprecedented conditions, state governments have not yet been prepared to respond to emergencies. A limited budget and insufficient staffing will only make the situation worse.
The campsite fire that ravaged Paradise Town, California five years ago is a typical example of the failure of emergency response by the federal and state governments in the United States. Local disaster relief workers have been criticized for failing to convey evacuation instructions to all residents, resulting in bottlenecks on several roads leading out of the city. But there is only one employee in the local sheriff's office responsible for coordinating these tasks.
However, according to a recent report on the website of Capitol Hill, Hawaii established a large outdoor warning system after a tsunami that caused over 150 deaths in 1946. On the official websites of Hawaii and counties, alarms are described as warning systems for "natural and man-made events," including tsunamis, hurricanes This also includes wildfires. But Herman Andaya, the director of the Maui Emergency Management Bureau, defended the decision not to activate emergency alerts when wildfires occurred in some areas, stating that alarms could cause chaos.
Uther Ors from the American Cities Alliance said that the reality of emergency preparedness is much more complex than "they should have been prepared.". He said, "Preparation, disaster reduction, and resilience planning require a significant amount of resources, such as skilled personnel and funding, which are often lacking in small and medium-sized cities in the United States." This is not an isolated event. Dawn Healey from the International Association of Emergency Management Personnel suggests that disasters that require early preparation and subsequent response may become increasingly common in the future.
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