I have long thought that the Homo sapiens sapiens experiment made a disastrously wrong turn somewhere along its trajectory. "One of the mysteries of Hubble’s universe is why we haven’t found other intelligent species." No longer certain that we will be able to continue to apply that adjective to our own for much longer.
Bill, thank you. Thank you. I'm from Altadena but had to leave in 2011. Altadena is my heart's home, and the wild mountains at the edge of town are my favorite place in the world. I've been reading you since I moved away -- you're the one who really showed me the level of danger to my mountains & my world and inspired me to become a climate activist -- but I had no idea that you, too, were from Altadena. Your short essay is the first attempt I've seen to put these fires into context. When I reached the last line, I cried for the first time since my city was leveled (I guess I've been in shock). Thank you so much for everything you do to promote a world that values intelligence and the way you wake up every morning ready again to love the world with all your might. Thank you. Thank you.
You work so unbelievably hard, Bill, and I cannot thank you enough. But it's also okay to take time to take care of yourself. Please do. Take time outside. Go remind yourself what all the work is for. And if we can do anything to lend you a little emotional support, let us know.
> That’s because they understand (correctly) that this science is “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry.”
The biggest shame is that we need so much science to continually hit us on the head to keep the fight for the climate going. By now, it is absolutely obvious what's happening and at least the major steps necessary are also obvious, and yet we have to "waste" a lot of time continually producing new results just to get people to listen. The shouting about the climate is necessary, but reflects the poor state of the world's intertwined societies.
And… the execrable state of the media, who breathlessly report on fires, floods, and hurricanes, and do not ONCE say the words “climate change.” Or if they (VERY RARELY) do, say those words in casual passing, often while noting how nice the extra spring heat is for our flower gardens. Sigh. ☹️
True. The media are also to blame, and that's expected. Even the BBC, which does have a sizable section regarding climate change and which did mention it in passing regarding the fires, they typically promote the narrative that everything is changing with the required magnitude and downplay the immediate seriousness of the problem.
After all, climate change is part of a larger problem where our spirituality has been replaced by the chasing of the sensational, whether it be in consumption or information, and that larger (non)-ethic is a component of modern media's very survival...
Thanks, as always! I've been following the LA fires closely since I grew up in Glendale, which is rather close to Altadena. I don't live in CA anymore, but I have lots of fond memories about the area. I appreciate you providing a link to the Nature paper that discusses displacement of the polar vortex due to Arctic warming. I read it when it first appeared, but it is worth rereading now. The conjunction of the horrible events in LA with the return of the Trump administration leaves me close to despair, but the fight against climate change must go on!
I wish there was a way to broad cast this type of thinking and discussion to a broader audience in a way that would intrigue and interest people who aren’t already on the same page, instead of causing defensiveness. I just wish we could all get on the same page about the climate and the planet- the literal one thing we all have in common.
Just as with gun violence, the repetition of disastrous climate born events is now never ending. The truth we are facing is all about the way that humans behave. The fact that many people have advanced our knowledge and embodied our best attributes does not, in nature, make our species exempt from our egregious tendencies to blindly destroy and desecrate. Whatever powers we have derived through our singular abilities have only been lent to us in a world where every act is in balance with all others.
Mr. McKibben -- unfortunately for your readers -- you are not including yourself in that area of denial to information concerning Climate Change that could help - unless it fits your viewpoints - or you just don't have the knowledge to process the available information - that you have received.
I respect you for your earlier work - but here - your pointing fingers when you should look yourself in the mirror
Thank you so much for your clear headed descriptions of what is going on regarding the LA fires, and all your other news ending with positive actions that are occurring in the Arctic and in Europe. I agree with you that the seemingly endless bad news fills the press, and continues to ignore those of us (other members of Citizens Climate Lobby like me) and so many others, Like UCS, EDF, NRDC etc. Trying to find good news. It is so sad that the old adage "if it bleeds, it reads" is still the mantra of our news sources.
There is little that can be done in the next decade or two to reduce global warming. In part, that is because of wildfire air pollution. However, we can at least start constructing climate-resistant housing in the meantime.
I have lived in SoCal 3 times during my worklife - mainly San Diego. Retired, today I live on the opposite side of the continent on the Atlantic Coast of Central Florida. I also have a house in Europe and many friends from Oslo south to Sofia. One might wonder why there are so many houses in Europe, like ours, that are well over a century old yet still standing until one notices that those old houses have concrete walls with heavy tile roofs. In contrast, USA houses are of wood-frame construction with cheap asphalt shingled roofs. Aluminum or stucco siding is no match for fire or wind, whereas concrete walls with title roofs are resistant to both fire and wind.
US homes also tend to be built close together and often very near trees and shrubs that when dry are a fire hazard. At first, I could not help but see LA area concrete homes with tile roofs burned to a cinder. I wondered why. Then a few videos later showed that the fire often came from behind the concrete houses, through flaming material accumulating along the back walls and burning through porch ceilings to incinerate the attics. I watched as soon the tile roofs imploded and then turned the interior wood to ash. In some cases, the fire set wood garage doors aflame, then the attached garage attic roof caught fire and the tile roof imploded.
Maybe some enlightened building codes could prevent the humongous destruction of thousands of woodframe houses. Insurance companies might even offer discounts for improvements to existing homes.
"the steady loss of intelligence in our nation and our world worries me the most”
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Stupidity thrives when we worship the god of wealth and power.
I have long thought that the Homo sapiens sapiens experiment made a disastrously wrong turn somewhere along its trajectory. "One of the mysteries of Hubble’s universe is why we haven’t found other intelligent species." No longer certain that we will be able to continue to apply that adjective to our own for much longer.
"The Fall" :)
Bill, thank you. Thank you. I'm from Altadena but had to leave in 2011. Altadena is my heart's home, and the wild mountains at the edge of town are my favorite place in the world. I've been reading you since I moved away -- you're the one who really showed me the level of danger to my mountains & my world and inspired me to become a climate activist -- but I had no idea that you, too, were from Altadena. Your short essay is the first attempt I've seen to put these fires into context. When I reached the last line, I cried for the first time since my city was leveled (I guess I've been in shock). Thank you so much for everything you do to promote a world that values intelligence and the way you wake up every morning ready again to love the world with all your might. Thank you. Thank you.
i feel kind of stunned today--too stunned to really *feel.* But one's brain keeps working.
thanks for your kind words, and also for being part of this fight
You work so unbelievably hard, Bill, and I cannot thank you enough. But it's also okay to take time to take care of yourself. Please do. Take time outside. Go remind yourself what all the work is for. And if we can do anything to lend you a little emotional support, let us know.
Thank you for the focus on Project 2025's intention to do away with climate funding. That can't be said often enough, loud enough.
I am a first time reader, thank you! The LA inferno and Jimmy Carter are in sad juxtaposition today😔.
Always excellent and such a cry from the heart - so much needed as we head towards January 20 and compete insanity.
> That’s because they understand (correctly) that this science is “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry.”
The biggest shame is that we need so much science to continually hit us on the head to keep the fight for the climate going. By now, it is absolutely obvious what's happening and at least the major steps necessary are also obvious, and yet we have to "waste" a lot of time continually producing new results just to get people to listen. The shouting about the climate is necessary, but reflects the poor state of the world's intertwined societies.
Yes!!!!🙌🏼
And… the execrable state of the media, who breathlessly report on fires, floods, and hurricanes, and do not ONCE say the words “climate change.” Or if they (VERY RARELY) do, say those words in casual passing, often while noting how nice the extra spring heat is for our flower gardens. Sigh. ☹️
True. The media are also to blame, and that's expected. Even the BBC, which does have a sizable section regarding climate change and which did mention it in passing regarding the fires, they typically promote the narrative that everything is changing with the required magnitude and downplay the immediate seriousness of the problem.
After all, climate change is part of a larger problem where our spirituality has been replaced by the chasing of the sensational, whether it be in consumption or information, and that larger (non)-ethic is a component of modern media's very survival...
My heart is heavy, so very heavy. And, yes, where can I put my energy today?
Thanks, as always! I've been following the LA fires closely since I grew up in Glendale, which is rather close to Altadena. I don't live in CA anymore, but I have lots of fond memories about the area. I appreciate you providing a link to the Nature paper that discusses displacement of the polar vortex due to Arctic warming. I read it when it first appeared, but it is worth rereading now. The conjunction of the horrible events in LA with the return of the Trump administration leaves me close to despair, but the fight against climate change must go on!
Though this is heartbreaking, we will persevere! No question about it. The great arc will bend. Courage!
How long until that great arc finally starts to bend??
Thank you as always Bill.
I wish there was a way to broad cast this type of thinking and discussion to a broader audience in a way that would intrigue and interest people who aren’t already on the same page, instead of causing defensiveness. I just wish we could all get on the same page about the climate and the planet- the literal one thing we all have in common.
Bill, I'm sorry to hear of these losses of people and memories.
Excellent points about science. I'll keep after universities to stay the course!
Just as with gun violence, the repetition of disastrous climate born events is now never ending. The truth we are facing is all about the way that humans behave. The fact that many people have advanced our knowledge and embodied our best attributes does not, in nature, make our species exempt from our egregious tendencies to blindly destroy and desecrate. Whatever powers we have derived through our singular abilities have only been lent to us in a world where every act is in balance with all others.
Mr. McKibben -- unfortunately for your readers -- you are not including yourself in that area of denial to information concerning Climate Change that could help - unless it fits your viewpoints - or you just don't have the knowledge to process the available information - that you have received.
I respect you for your earlier work - but here - your pointing fingers when you should look yourself in the mirror
Thank you so much for your clear headed descriptions of what is going on regarding the LA fires, and all your other news ending with positive actions that are occurring in the Arctic and in Europe. I agree with you that the seemingly endless bad news fills the press, and continues to ignore those of us (other members of Citizens Climate Lobby like me) and so many others, Like UCS, EDF, NRDC etc. Trying to find good news. It is so sad that the old adage "if it bleeds, it reads" is still the mantra of our news sources.
There is little that can be done in the next decade or two to reduce global warming. In part, that is because of wildfire air pollution. However, we can at least start constructing climate-resistant housing in the meantime.
I have lived in SoCal 3 times during my worklife - mainly San Diego. Retired, today I live on the opposite side of the continent on the Atlantic Coast of Central Florida. I also have a house in Europe and many friends from Oslo south to Sofia. One might wonder why there are so many houses in Europe, like ours, that are well over a century old yet still standing until one notices that those old houses have concrete walls with heavy tile roofs. In contrast, USA houses are of wood-frame construction with cheap asphalt shingled roofs. Aluminum or stucco siding is no match for fire or wind, whereas concrete walls with title roofs are resistant to both fire and wind.
US homes also tend to be built close together and often very near trees and shrubs that when dry are a fire hazard. At first, I could not help but see LA area concrete homes with tile roofs burned to a cinder. I wondered why. Then a few videos later showed that the fire often came from behind the concrete houses, through flaming material accumulating along the back walls and burning through porch ceilings to incinerate the attics. I watched as soon the tile roofs imploded and then turned the interior wood to ash. In some cases, the fire set wood garage doors aflame, then the attached garage attic roof caught fire and the tile roof imploded.
Maybe some enlightened building codes could prevent the humongous destruction of thousands of woodframe houses. Insurance companies might even offer discounts for improvements to existing homes.