LA fires show the growing security threat of climate change

The fires in Los Angeles highlight the urgent security threat posed by climate change, which is reshaping national security paradigms. This disconnect limits the government's response to climate disasters, putting public trust and political stability at risk, per commentary from Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The issue:  

The devastating LA fires, resulting in 24 deaths and nearly 200,000 displaced residents, reflect a severe climate-driven disaster exacerbated by years of weather volatility. Estimates suggest total damages could reach up to $150 billion, straining California’s insurance markets.

What they recommend:  

No recommendations provided in the commentary.

Go deeper:  

The fires illustrate how climate change acts as a "threat multiplier," enhancing the dangers of existing conditions like the Santa Ana winds. This situation complicates traditional disaster response strategies that focus primarily on armed threats rather than environmental ones. Without a political consensus on climate change, disaster management remains fraught, risking long-term resilience planning.

This is a brief overview of a research from Peterson Institute for International Economics. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full research.