'California and Texas are warnings': blackouts show US deeply unprepared for the climate crisis

Both states have faced widespread power outages after failing to plan for extreme weather

When California saw widespread power blackouts last year during wildfires and a summer “heat storm”, Republican lawmakers from Texas were quick to deride the coastal state’s energy policies. “California is now unable to perform even basic functions of civilization, like having reliable electricity,” tweeted Senator Ted Cruz during the record-breaking heatwave in August.

Related: The Texans facing blackouts and burst pipes: 'Do I wait for the ceiling to cave in?'

There will be more of this and it will get worse