California should, then, follow a University of Chicago conclusion: “Wildfire emissions need to be a key part of climate policy if California is going to meet its emission reduction goals.” Instead, Newsom and company use climate change as an excuse, suggesting in essence that their hands are tied until we reverse the Earth’s climate trajectory.

After two major fires caused historic damage to the greater Los Angeles area, several Princeton students who call the Golden State home have had to navigate local evacuation orders while coping with the fact that they may never see their homes.