Lahaina: The Catastrophic Consequences of Climate Change
By: Anita Voskovykh
From record heat waves to hurricanes to unprecedented wildfires, the devastating consequences of climate change continue to ravage our cities. One of the most recent examples of these impacts is the Lahaina wildfire.
Beginning on the night of August 8th, the wildfire spread through the town of Lahaina at speeds too high for firefighters to keep up with, making it difficult to contain. By August 10th, 80% of the fire was controlled in Lahaina; however, firefighters continued battling flare ups in certain parts of the island for weeks due to its dry and windy conditions. The Lahaina wildfire is the fifth-deadliest in U.S. history, killing at least 115 people and leaving thousands missing or displaced. While these figures are devastating, what might be more disturbing was the city of Maui’s severely delayed and inadequate emergency response. The siren stations surrounding the island intended for the sole purpose of alerting the citizens of natural disasters never sounded. Further, the water supply ran out, citizens attempting to flee by highway were trapped in traffic due to fallen power lines and blocked streets, and little guidance from the government for resources and relief was provided. However, this wildfire was far from unexpected. The numerous warning signs and risk of such a disaster striking went ignored, and risk-reduction measures, such as monitoring and removing invasive species and removing overgrowth left from abandoned plantations, were not taken. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) continues to face criticism due to its delayed, unorganized, and inadequate response. Local emergency management too is responsible for ensuring an adequate emergency response is in place for its citizens, as FEMA is only as effective as its local government counterparts and depends on the local government’s organization and preparedness for such emergencies. Holding our government officials accountable for such failures remains an integral issue in our fight for climate change action.
While the main cause of the wildfire remains under investigation, many sources have reported suspicion regarding Hawaii’s electrical lines. The island’s high-wind conditions and drought, combined with faulty electrical lines, increase the chances of such catastrophes happening as these winds can knock over power lines and cause fires to ignite. Such instances have been seen along the west coast, primarily in California, where power lines have been knocked over, ultimately sparking deadly fires. Further, California’s largest utility supplier, PG&E Corp., was driven to bankruptcy after a series of fires caused by fallen lines were blamed on the company’s equipment. Moreover, Maui’s local government has sued Hawaii Electric based on suspicion that its equipment and failure to harden dilapidated power lines may have caused these fires to spark. Similarly, plaintiff firms are working with victims in Maui to reach a settlement with PG&E for $13.5 billion.
Individual and state level suits are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to recovering for damages stemming from climate change related disasters. On a larger scale, Big Oil companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron have been the target of billion-dollar lawsuits for misrepresentation and deception about their practices – Honolulu and Maui being some of the first local governments to file climate change related suits against these companies. Dating back to the 70‘s, ExxonMobil was well aware of the impacts the burning of fossil fuels would have on the climate, effectively predicating climate change. Yet, the company publicly denied allegations regarding the data about these known impacts and business continued as usual. Exxon profited a whopping $56 billion in the past year alone. Thus, Big Oil companies have been, and will continue to be, blamed for deceptive practices as climate disasters continue to increase. In terms of targeting those at fault for the increasing climate-related disasters and deceiving the public, looking to these companies to recover damages may help in making local populations whole. Ultimately, holding such corporations accountable for their negative impacts on the climate may be the next big step in yielding the progress we so urgently need.
The devastating catastrophe of the Lahaina wildfire is yet another example of the impacts of climate change that will continue to increase as sea levels rise and deforestation, drilling, and polluting persists. Further, this wildfire is a reminder of the adverse impacts of climate change. Holding large companies and government officials accountable for their actions is a step in the right direction. However, it should not take devastation like this to recognize the looming and inevitable consequences of climate change to make improvements and take action. The common approach in these types of disasters is typically reactive, meaning action is only taken after the fact. Taking a proactive approach and limiting risks before such tragedies occur would save many more lives and be a more effective solution in our fight to slow climate change and its unforgiving implications.