In the wake of these fires, I've been thinking about my children and the world they're inheriting. The disastrous effects of climate change have made these college-age children question what kind of future will be afforded to them. Can they raise families of their own? Will they afford a home? Where is it safe to build? It's easy to feel helpless. And then, as natives of Los Angeles watching these catastrophic fires, where scores of friends are losing their homes, the future remains incredibly uncertain and the stress level high. One day we're packing up to leave, the next day we're returning to await grandparents, who are evacuating from yet another blaze, in yet another part of Los Angeles. Fire is everywhere. As I write this, my daughter informs me that a new one erupted in Granada Hills. It's hard to maintain any sense of optimism. Yet if you look a little closer, signs of hope are visible. The helicopter pilot with the incredible aim who took control of the Sunset fire. The synagogue in the Palisades, which has miraculously remained standing despite the homes around it reduced to rubble. The fire relief pop-up center in West Hollywood, where my children volunteered to organize hundreds of clothing donations and supplies for families who have lost everything. The road ahead for Angelenos is sure to be rough and the future is not guaranteed. If we can remember our humanity, perhaps there is room for hope.
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California Today: The Weather Won’t Give Southern California’s Firefighters a Break
January 11, 2025
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