On Saturday, people from Los Angeles, including elected officials and community members, gathered in Pasadena for a “People’s Hearing on Extreme Weather.” The event, organized by the Climate Action Campaign and other environmental groups, focused on the urgent need for climate protections.
Survivors of recent wildfires shared their stories. They described the damage to their homes and raised concerns about the government’s lack of action. Many criticized the Trump administration for weakening climate regulations, particularly decisions made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that affect air quality and public health.
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, speaking via video, highlighted how climate change is impacting Los Angeles—ranging from worsening air quality to the devastating wildfires. A recent study suggests these wildfires are now deadlier than previously thought. Padilla questioned, “If they can’t even admit that climate change is real, then how can they protect us from it?”
Representatives Judy Chu and Laura Friedman stressed the pressing need for action. Chu pointed out the human costs of climate change, including displacement and health issues. Friedman labeled the recent EPA decisions as an “attack on all science.”
Residents like Rosanna Valverde, whose home was damaged in the Eaton fire, shared their experiences. “These disasters aren’t rare anymore. They’re becoming constant,” she said. Fellow survivor Sam Stracich remarked that denying climate change endangers people’s health and futures.
Dennis Higgins returned to his Pacific Palisades home to find only rubble. He warned that if protections are not reinstated, newly rebuilt homes would also be at risk of burning again.
A high school student, Sophie Smeeton, explained that the destruction was due to policy failures. “It was the systematic denial of risk and the refusal to treat the climate crisis with urgency,” she said.
Chris Chavez, a deputy policy director at the Coalition for Clean Air, shared his own struggles with asthma and how wildfires add to the challenges many Californians face. Dr. Alfred Glover, a podiatrist, mentioned that patients with cardiovascular problems are increasingly suffering the impacts of climate change. Marine biologist Barbara Gentile brought attention to how extreme weather affects ocean health, highlighting that “the ocean can’t testify for itself.”
Overall, the hearing underscored a shared sense of urgency among residents and experts. As Dr. Jerry Abraham, a member of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, noted, the absence of federal protection leaves communities feeling vulnerable.
Research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that climate change is not just a future concern; it is already affecting weather patterns and ecosystems today. By sharing their stories, the speakers hope to inspire action to address these challenges.
Climate change is not just a topic for discussion; it’s an urgent reality that demands immediate and thoughtful responses from legislators and communities alike.
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