Climate change made Los Angeles wildfires more likely: comment
Climate change increased likelihood of LA wildfires
By Gareth Redmond-King
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Commenting on analysis by World Weather Attribution which found that climate change worsened the recent Los Angeles wildfires [1], Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International Programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said:
"It’s perhaps unsurprising that scientists have found the unprecedented destruction of thousands of homes in Los Angeles was made more likely by the burning of gas, oil and coal.
"The staggering cost of these kinds of blazes is no doubt part of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ recent assessment that climate change could cut global GDP in half in just a matter of decades, from around the time a baby born today is in their forties. [2] Wildfire risk is increasing in the UK too and until we reach net zero emissions, the world will continue to see ever more of these ever worsening extremes, threatening lives and livelihoods."
Notes to editors:
1. The study by World Weather Attribution is published on 28 January at 22:00 GMT.
2. Current climate policies risk catastrophic societal and economic impacts: https://actuaries.org.uk/planetary-solvency
For more information or for interview requests:
George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net