On Monday's broadcast of MSNBC's “Read Out,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland responded to claims that California was to blame for recent fire devastation by removing dams under pressure from indigenous groups. I expect climate change deniers to do that, and climate change deniers consistently ask why we shouldn't be paying attention to this crisis that caused the wildfires in the first place. I'm trying to find an excuse.”
“I expect this from climate change deniers,” Haaland said. “And climate change deniers have consistently said why we need to pay attention to this crisis that caused these wildfires in the first place. We're trying to find excuses why not. Healthy ecosystems help protect the planet. And unfortunately, we have a climate crisis in our state right now, with frightening winds blowing at 160 miles per hour. That makes the fire worse.”
She added, “I think what we need to do is focus on thanking our firefighters, who are our modern-day heroes, for stopping what other states are doing. We should be grateful to the Native American firefighters who came out to help fight the fires in California. Rather than blaming Native Americans, we should be grateful for the people who helped them through this terrible crisis. But of course that's ridiculous. Native people are the first custodians of our land, and in fact, Joy, if we were to help Native Americans do anything to us. The 400-plus co-management agreements we have with tribes wouldn't have been right if we didn't feel like they were teaching us. Now they help us manage the land.”
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