The L.A. Fires Expose the Problem With Conservation Policy

Fighting Fires with Fresh Conservation: Why We Need an Environment-First Shift

As wildfires rage outside Los Angeles, the blame game intensifies. While President Trump points fingers at California Governor Gavin Newsom, the heart of the matter requires a shift in perspective.

American forest conservation has long focused on mitigating waste and managing resources for economic development. This philosophy, born from progressive ideals, drove policies like the 1911 Weeks Act and the "10 a.m. policy." But as climate change transforms our world, these earlier principles no longer serve us.

The seeds of this revelation were planted in the 1960s, as environmental activism begged the question: What about the environment itself? By the 1990s, programs like EnergyStar adopted a more balanced approach, focusing on environmental impact alongside economic growth.

Yet, climate change demands a new priority. Decades of development-focused conservation have left us vulnerable to unprecedented environmental challenges. To protect and develop, we must first safeguard our environment.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. Environment-first conservation can create jobs, drive economic growth, and make us more resilient to climate change. From city centers to rural areas, every community stands to benefit from a fresh approach to conservation.

Johnathan Williams, University of Northern Iowa