By Erik Solheim
The recent devastating wildfires in California offer a stark and tragic illustration of the escalating climate crisis.
These fires, which have claimed several lives and displaced thousands, are among the most destructive in history. They are leaving behind heartbreaking images of destroyed homes and shattered lives. The disaster is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a rapidly warming planet, demanding urgent global attention and action.
The fires were fueled by a dangerous combination of factors: unusually wet conditions in 2023 led to abundant vegetation growth, which was then followed by an unprecedented drought in 2024. Amplified by heavy winds it created the perfect storm of widespread and intense fires. This pattern of extreme weather swings — from floods to droughts — is a hallmark of a changing climate, exacerbating the risk of such disasters.
This pattern is not unique to California. Recent years have seen a surge in devastating wildfires globally. The 2023 bushfires in Australia, the largest in over a decade, ravaged millions of hectares of land. In the same year, the EU experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons on record.
Data confirm this alarming trend: forest fires are now burning twice as much tree cover as they did two decades ago. Wildfires, but also droughts and floods, underscore the global nature of the climate crisis and the urgent need for a unified response.
It is of course deeply offensive to the world that in the midst of the California horror, President Donald Trump decided to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement on climate change. This means that the nation which has contributed most to the climate crisis tells the rest of the world that we need to fix the mess the US has been so critical in creating.
However, China, India, Europe, Sri Lanka, and others are fighting climate change not to please the US, but in our own collective interest. In effect, we will provide the necessary leadership as we understand floods, droughts, extreme heat, and wildfires are major threats to us. These nations also see climate action as an opportunity for green growth, cheaper energy and better lives.
At the end, whatever said and done, the loser from Trump’s policy will be the people of the United States. They will not only experience more climate effects like the wildfires in California, but also miss economic opportunities and the jobs created in solar and wind energy, electric cars, and batteries and more. The US will be the loser both in economic and ecological terms.
The effects of the withdrawal will also be less than some doomsayers expect because renewables are now the cheapest energies everywhere in the world. Turning from coal to solar was a huge cost ten years ago. Now, it’s an economic win.
Solar has fallen 90% in price, and wind nearly as much. Moreover, the drivers for renewables don’t depend on Washington, but rather on markets. The new world is created by Tongwei, LONGi, and all the other companies – mostly Chinese – driving the solar revolution, not on climate talks and mere rhetoric. The green transformation can be slowed somewhat, but fortunately, it cannot be turned back by political decisions. The growing global momentum towards climate action cannot be stopped from Washington either. This momentum is particularly strong in Asia.
China is the one indispensable nation in this green transformation. The figures from 2024 are astonishing. The country added 280 gigawatt of wind power in that year alone: double as much as the second nation, the US, over its entire existence. China covers 60% or more of all green investments. That includes solar, wind, hydro, electric cars and batteries, metros, and high-speed rail. Moreover, and more pertinently, China is the world’s largest tree planter and is leading on nature conservation.
India is also making significant strides, with large-scale green initiatives like equipping millions of homes with rooftop solar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees green developments as a way to uplift his people and is launching green missions by the day. The state of Gujarat, for instance, will build 100 gigawatts of renewables by 2030, that is massive.
This global shift presents a significant opportunity for Sri Lanka. By embracing renewable energy like solar, wind, and hydropower, Sri Lanka can contribute to global climate mitigation efforts while simultaneously stimulating its own economic growth and create jobs.
The potential for green transport, given the country’s relatively compact size, is immense. Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s rich natural resources, including mangroves, offer opportunities to participate in global carbon markets through restoration and conservation initiatives.
Last year, I took part in the opening of ProClimes mangrove restoration project in Trincomalee. The project demonstrates how local communities can be involved in enhancing coastal resilience and creating sustainable livelihoods.
The California wildfires serve as a powerful wake-up call. We cannot afford to wait until the devastating consequences of climate change arrive at our own doorstep. The need for global cooperation and decisive climate action is more urgent than ever.
While the challenges are significant, the growing global momentum, especially in Asia, offers a beacon of hope. Renewable energies, electric mobility, and restoration of nature offer opportunities for the people of Sri Lanka. We must seize this opportunity to build a more resilient and sustainable world for future generations.
Erik Solheim is a former Undersecretary General at the UN and the former Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development. He was the Chief Negotiator for the Sri Lanka Peace Process. Currently, he is President of the Europe Asia Center.
Factum is an Asia-Pacific focused think tank on International Relations, Tech Cooperation, Strategic Communications, and Climate Outreach accessible via www.factum.lk.
The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the organization’s.
