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Cable news has been blasted for ‘largely failing’ to link the California wildfires with the current climate crisis.
The Werst Coast blazes have resulted in tens of thousands being forced to flee their homes. More than 30 people have been killed at the time of writing.
According to an analysis from Media Matters, from September 7-10 – CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News covered the blazes for five hours and 35 minutes: only 13 percent of which mentioned climate change.
‘Intense and destructive’
“Fires in California and throughout the West Coast happen every year, but climate change is making the fire season start earlier and the blazes are more intense and destructive – especially this year,” states Media Matters.
“The fires have already burned more acres in California than during any other year on record — and there are still several months left in the fire season.”
‘Climate fires’
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has spoken out about the wildfires – saying they should be referred to as ‘climate fires’.
According to AP, he said: “This is not an act of God… This has happened because we have changed the climate of the state of Washington in dramatic ways.”
