“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”
Arnold Palmer
The Maui tragedy was shocking and heartbreaking. It was the deadliest wildfire in the US in over 100 years, and the worst natural disaster ever in Hawaii. More than 106 people lost their lives, and with hundreds missing, that number is bound to climb. In Lahaina, at least 2200 buildings were destroyed. This is the latest in a head-spinning number of devastating weather events. It feels like we are we are playing with loaded dice.
Is climate change to blame?
Each extreme event is made possible by a complicated set of factors. It’s true that tragic weather events have been around throughout history. But against the backdrop of a warming world, conditions are now primed for these tragedies to happen more often. In other words, we’re rolling double sixes a lot more these days.
We are playing with loaded dice
Last week, a Hurricane Dora was churning well off the coast of Hawaii. Storms are stronger in recent years because of the warmer oceans. Meanwhile, Maui has been in a drought. Gusts from the hurricane created a “downslope wind”, which combined with dry conditions and flammable, nonnative grasses to create a “confluence of extremes amplified by climate change”.
Make a total effort
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Earth will keep warming as long as we keep burning. While a systemic shift to clean energy is critical, our individual actions combine together to create real momentum. They have the added benefit of influencing others; humans are social animals and our behaviors are contagious.
Some people feel it is hopeless to try. I couldn’t disagree more. As Arnold Palmer says, this is the time to “make a total effort”. The dice may be loaded against us, but this problem can be solved. We just need to believe it can, then go all in on becoming part of the solution.
What can we do?
- Support the Maui survivors – here are some ideas
- Consider changes at home
- Talk about climate change in your social circle. Yes, this really helps!
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.