The False Climate Change Narrative Is Coming Back, Starting With the Canadian Wildfires

What’s happening: Intense wildfires in Canada led to mass evacuations last week and smothered the U.S. East Coast in smoke, momentarily placing New York City at the top of the list for the world's poorest air quality. This disaster, driven by high temperatures and dry conditions, compelled politicians and media in both countries to push the climate change narrative.

The forests are simply designed to burn: Northern Quebec's recent wildfires are part of a natural cycle where the boreal forests depend on fires for seed release and ecosystem health. Major fires typically ignite between mid-April and early June, when dead vegetation dries out and becomes prone to sparking from sources such as lightning or human mishaps. Large Canadian wildfires like this have happened as recently as 2010 and as far back as 1870. It’s nothing new.

The narrative: Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, pointed the finger at conservative rivals for neglecting the climate battle. The U.S. Vice President labeled it a "climate crisis" while Democrats and the media used the event as ammunition against Republicans opposing climate regulations. Kids are caught in the crossfire of politics with “climate anxiety” skyrocketing amongst the youth.

Remember California? The 2020 California wildfires sparked similar political tensions. Climate activists and Democrats highlighted climate change as the culprit. Meanwhile, Republicans, with Trump at the helm, pointed to forest mismanagement in California. Subsequent investigations validated mismanagement as a key accelerator of Western wildfires.