A candidate running for Senate in New Jersey faced backlash on social media after attributing a recent earthquake in the tri-state area to the “climate crisis.” Green Party member Christina Amira Khalil shared a post on Twitter shortly after the earthquake, suggesting that the rare event was due to climate change. The post quickly went viral, but was deleted by Khalil after receiving millions of views and being fact-checked for accuracy by an online community.
Numerous politicians and commentators joined in mocking Khalil for making the unfounded connection between climate change and earthquakes. Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw and conservative commentator Paul Szypula were among those who criticized Khalil’s comments, calling her a “moron” and emphasizing that earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates shifting, not climate change. The editor-in-chief of The Babylon Bee also chimed in, highlighting the absurdity of the claim and questioning why satirical outlets had not come up with it first.
Despite the criticism and controversy surrounding her initial tweet, Khalil replaced it with a more toned-down message, expressing her shock at experiencing the earthquake in New Jersey. Khalil, who is running for the Senate seat currently held by Democrat Robert Menendez, received backlash and attention for her unfounded comments linking the earthquake to climate change. The incident drew attention to the lack of scientific basis in Khalil’s initial claim and the importance of fact-checking in the political discourse.
NASA has stated that there is no scientific link between climate change and earthquakes, clarifying that earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates colliding beneath the Earth’s surface. Alan Buis of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory highlighted that earthquakes occur deep below the Earth’s surface, beyond the influence of surface temperatures and weather conditions. This information refuted Khalil’s claim and emphasized the need for accurate information and science-based communication regarding natural disasters.
In addition to Khalil, another politician who made baseless claims about the earthquake was Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia. Greene attributed the tremors to America’s declining morality, suggesting it was a warning from a higher power. However, her comments were also fact-checked and criticized, with an online community debunking the connection between earthquakes and morality. The incident highlighted the importance of understanding scientific principles and accurately attributing natural events.
Overall, the social media backlash against Khalil and Greene’s baseless claims regarding the recent earthquake in the tri-state area underscored the need for politicians and public figures to be informed and responsible in their communication. Accurate information and scientific evidence should be prioritized in discussions about natural disasters, rather than baseless and misleading claims. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of fact-checking and scientific literacy in political discourse and public communication.
