Welcome to California, President Trump. Now face reality on climate change and COVID-19

Long before he downplayed the threat of COVID-19, President Donald Trump downplayed the threat of climate change. In both cases, he has used the word “hoax.”

But Trump will find himself undeniably engulfed in the reality of both crises during his visit to Sacramento today.

Trump will join Gov. Gavin Newsom for a briefing on the state’s record-breaking fires, extreme heat and unprecedented air pollution. Massive wildfires made worse by climate change have turned most of the West Coast into a pollution-choked nightmare. Smoke from multiple fires around the state has reduced our air quality to hazardous levels and blotted out the sun. At least 10 people have died in California.

Meanwhile, over 194,000 Americans — over 14,000 of them Californians — have died of COVID-19. Researchers say the death toll could reach 300,000 by December unless Americans remain vigilant, wear masks and embrace social distancing.

The climate crisis and the coronavirus pandemic have some things in common.

Science tells us that both are deadly. It also tells us that we can take important steps to mitigate them and prevent worst-case scenarios. Unfortunately, politicians like Trump continue to deny clear facts and delay critical action on both crises.

Trump refuses to heed scientific methods to handle the climate crisis. Similarly, he has rejected taking a scientific approach to the coronavirus. He also downplays or denies the climate crisis — just as he has repeatedly denied the severity of the COVID-19 threat.

With no apparent care for the consequences to human life or health, Trump seems to think he can make these problems disappear by denying the truth or launching tweet attacks. The consequences of his negligence have cost lives, damaged the American economy and created a mood of national despair. No wonder Joe Biden and Kamala Harris lead in the polls. Never in our lifetimes has a president proved so inadequate to his task and his times.

We are past the point of hoping Trump can say anything comforting or wise. After all, he’s flying here from Nevada, where he just presided over a rally featuring hundreds of people who packed a room without wearing masks or engaging in social distancing. Yes, the president is flagrantly risking the lives of his own supporters for 2020 campaign photo ops.

“Tonight, President Donald Trump is taking reckless and selfish actions that are putting countless lives in danger here in Nevada,” said Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak as Trump held his rally in violation of local COVID-19 health rules.

Giving us a preview of what’s likely coming today, Trump used his Nevada rally speech to launch a disjointed anti-California rant in which he attacked clean energy and bragged about pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

So, the most we can do is pray that this president continues to refrain from playing politics with fire and provides whatever federal resources our state needs help those suffering from these disasters. After all, many of the victims live in counties that voted for Trump.

“As an historic figure, he is one of the most culpable men in America contributing to the suffering and death that is now occurring through climate-related tragedy,” said former Gov. Jerry Brown to the New York Times.

The same can be said of Trump’s shameful coronavirus failure.

We would admonish Trump to change course before more Americans die, but a man who packs his mask-free supporters into indoor rallies during a coronavirus pandemic is clearly not concerned with saving lives.

The lesson for the nation is clear: Some politicians will continue to deny the facts and reject science regardless of how many lives it costs or how much devastation it unleashes. And so the choices we make this November will be terrifyingly consequential for our lives — and for life on Earth, both now and in the future.

This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 8:52 AM with the headline "Welcome to California, President Trump. Now face reality on climate change and COVID-19."