Ben Hamlington, a climate scientist at NASA, recently lost his home in the Eaton Fire, which destroyed over 9,000 structures in Altadena, California. This experience blurred the line between his professional work on climate change and personal life. As the fire spread rapidly due to strong winds, he faced a mandatory evacuation. Hamlington has previously encountered climate disasters and acknowledged the increasing risks of wildfires due to climate change, which has escalated the frequency and intensity of such events.
Despite his expertise, he grapples with the decision of whether to rebuild, balancing the scientific risks of future disasters with the emotional connection to his community. He warns that climate change will make areas less predictable regarding disaster risks. Hamlington emphasizes the urgent need to address fossil fuel consumption to mitigate further climate impacts. While the situation feels dire, he remains optimistic about taking action and learning from these experiences to inform future responses to climate challenges.
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