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The Hollywood Hills Are on Fire: A Sobering Symbol of Climate Change’s Wrath [1]
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Date: 2025-01-09
I hope this doesn’t sound callous in the wake of so much devastation and suffering. I wrote this specifically in response to those who are confused by the lack of empathy being expressed for those in Malibu who are tragically losing their homes to these horrific fires as we speak.
People can’t muster compassion they don’t have to spare—and that’s not hard to understand. Losing a home, personal belongings, and a sense of safety is devastating, no matter your wealth. But we also can’t ignore the vast inequities between everyday people who have nothing to fall back on and the ultra-wealthy who can retreat to one of their many other properties.
Let’s also be honest about the larger issue here: the carbon footprint of the ultra-wealthy. Their private jets, sprawling estates, and opulent lifestyles are massive contributors to climate change, amplifying the catastrophic weather events—like these fires—that are destroying lives and ecosystems. These fires should serve as a sobering reminder: climate change is very real, and it does not discriminate between rich and poor. Living in gated communities or on a hilltop may shield you from certain realities, but it won’t protect you from Mother Nature.
This is a wake-up call. If you’re among the ultra-wealthy, stop pretending climate change is someone else’s problem. Stop flying around on private jets and burning through resources as if this planet is infinite. Use your immense resources for the greater good instead of exploiting the earth for profit. My deepest empathy lies with our dying planet and with the people who are suffering because of choices made by those at the top.
These fires and other climate disasters should not only spark grief but also outrage at the systemic inequities they highlight. It’s time to end the gaslighting about climate change and stop pretending wealth offers immunity. Malibu margaritas and beachfront retreats won’t matter if the entire planet burns. Act now—for the planet, for the people, and for a future worth living. Then, and only then, will you have my full sympathies.
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[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/1/9/2295992/-The-Hollywood-Hills-Are-on-Fire-A-Sobering-Symbol-of-Climate-Change-s-Wrath?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
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