Researchers blame CA wildfires on climate change, peddle ‘alarmist’ non-peer reviewed studies: experts
An international research group funded by billionaire Jeff Bezos and the George Soros Foundation has sparked controversy with its recent study claiming that human-induced climate change was the cause of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. The World Weather Attribution (WWA) group, founded by Dr. Friederike Otto and Dr. Geert Jan van Oldenborgh, has been conducting research since 2014 with the belief that climate change can impact and potentially cause extreme weather events. The group also receives support from the Grantham Institute and the European Climate Foundation.
The study, titled “Climate change increased the likelihood of wildfire disaster in highly exposed Los Angeles area,” was released on Jan. 28 and quickly gained attention from major media outlets. However, some environmental critics have pushed back against the group’s findings, labeling them as “alarmist” and driven by leftist organizations shaping the climate narrative.
Jason Isaac, founder and CEO of the American Energy Institute, a nonprofit focused on promoting economic freedom through environmental policies, criticized the study for lacking peer review and rushed conclusions. He pointed out that historical wildfires, such as those in 1895, were not caused by climate change, suggesting that California’s poor land management practices were a significant factor in the current wildfires.
Isaac highlighted California’s spending priorities, noting that while the state allocates billions of dollars to climate commitments, the funding for fire prevention remains inadequate. He emphasized that California’s susceptibility to wildfires should be a top priority for the state.
Steve Milloy, a former Trump EPA Transition Team member, also criticized the study, calling it “pal-reviewed” and lacking scientific foundation. He raised concerns about the lack of peer review and scientific scrutiny in the attribution of climate change to specific weather events.
The study comes at a time when President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to roll back U.S. climate commitments made under the Biden administration. This move is expected to lead to increased focus on climate change-driven initiatives in the coming years.
Despite the criticisms, the WWA defends its methodology, stating that rapid attribution studies are released before peer review to provide timely information on the influence of climate change on extreme weather events. The group conducts its research by analyzing real-world weather data and comparing the likelihood of events before the widespread use of fossil fuels.
While the debate on the impact of climate change on wildfires continues, the WWA remains committed to providing scientific evidence on the influence of climate change on extreme weather events. Its studies, once peer-reviewed, are published in reputable journals to contribute to the ongoing discussion on climate change and its consequences.
