President Joe Biden and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) linked the Canadian wildfires that have sent smoke into the northeastern United States this week to climate change.
The president claimed the record fires blazing in Canada are “intensifying” because of the climate crisis, echoing sentiments from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
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“We’ve deployed more than 600 U.S. firefighters, support personnel, and equipment to support Canada as they respond to record wildfires — events that are intensifying because of the climate crisis,” Biden tweeted on Wednesday.
“Here at home, we’re in close touch with state and local leaders to ensure they have the support they need. It’s critical that Americans experiencing dangerous air pollution, especially those with health conditions, listen to local authorities to protect themselves and their families.”
We’ve deployed more than 600 U.S. firefighters, support personnel, and equipment to support Canada as they respond to record wildfires – events that are intensifying because of the climate crisis.
Here at home, we’re in close touch with state and local leaders to ensure they…
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 7, 2023
Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Tuesday that record-high temperatures in Puerto Rico and the fires were examples of how the world is “not prepared” for the climate crisis.
“Between NYC in wildfire smoke and this in PR, it bears repeating how unprepared we are for the climate crisis,” the congresswoman tweeted. “We must adapt our food systems, energy grids, infrastructure, healthcare, etc ASAP to prepare for what’s to come and catch up to what is already here.”
Between NYC in wildfire smoke and this in PR, it bears repeating how unprepared we are for the climate crisis.
We must adapt our food systems, energy grids, infrastructure, healthcare, etc ASAP to prepare for what’s to come and catch up to what is already here. #GreenNewDeal 🌱 https://t.co/GT7hY4Ffm3
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 7, 2023
The wildfire smoke has enveloped several large U.S. cities, including New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, as of Wednesday. The National Weather Service advised people in much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic that they should avoid outdoor activities on Wednesday because the air quality is unhealthy.
The service said exposure to poor air quality can cause headaches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and irritation in the eyes and throat, among other adverse reactions.
Jean-Pierre said the natural disaster was another example of the way climate change was negatively affecting the U.S.
“This is yet another alarming example of the ways in which the climate crisis is disturbing our lives and our communities,” she said. “That’s why, from day one, President Biden rightfully recognized the climate crisis, climate change, as one of the four crises facing our nation as he was coming into the Oval Office.”
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The other crises were the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and racial injustice.
There are 413 active wildfires across Canada, and 246 of them are considered out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Roughly 150 of the fires are in Quebec.
