President Joe Biden has announced his plans to visit Hawaii along with First Lady Jill Biden in light of the devastating wildfires that have plagued Maui. Speaking in Milwaukee, Biden stated that he had spoken to Governor Josh Green and was eager to visit the affected areas, ensuring that it would not hinder ongoing recovery efforts. The death toll currently stands at 99, with several people still missing.
President Biden’s remarks aim to put an end to the controversy surrounding the White House response to the wildfires. While at the beach in Delaware over the weekend, Biden was questioned about the rising death toll and responded with a no comment, which drew criticism from conservative media circles.
Efforts are underway to search for remains in the historic seaside town of Lahaina, with 25% of the burned area already checked. Searchers, accompanied by 20 cadaver dogs, are combing through the devastated town.
In his conversation with Governor Green, President Biden assured him that the federal government would provide any assistance necessary. He specifically mentioned the work being done by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who has been directed to streamline the process of registering survivors for immediate federal assistance.
However, the wildfires have overshadowed Biden’s plans to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act. This landmark climate and tax bill has been a significant part of the President’s agenda. The wildfires have brought forth questions about the criteria the administration uses when deciding which communities the President will visit after a tragedy or disaster.
Earlier this year, Biden faced scrutiny for not visiting the town of East Palestine, Ohio, after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed and caused a fire. Critics accused the administration of neglecting working-class communities in the American heartland. While Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan did visit the town, Biden’s absence drew criticism.
The wildfires in Hawaii are just the latest example of the extreme weather events plaguing communities in the US and around the world. July was declared the hottest month on record, with temperatures in some US cities exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit on multiple occasions. American cities have also been affected by wildfires in Canada, which have filled the sky with thick, toxic smoke.
President Biden has emphasized that extreme heat costs the US $100 billion per year and is a direct consequence of climate change. He has used these extreme weather events to highlight the measures in the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at promoting clean energy and mitigating climate impacts. Climate activists, however, are urging Biden to declare a national climate emergency, which would grant him broader powers to address the issue.
While Biden has not made such a declaration, he has highlighted his land conservation policies, decision to rejoin the Paris climate agreement, and the Inflation Reduction Act as steps he has taken to combat climate change.
