On June 6, New York City’s air quality index was measured at 200 (considered a “very unhealthy” level of pollution) due to wildfire smoke that had spread east from central Canada. As a native New Yorker now living in Los Angeles, I anticipated such an event was more likely to occur in my new state rather than where I grew up. This week, the true horrors of climate change are really hitting home for me.
What my family and friends are currently experiencing back east is nothing new to Californians. I have personally spoken with several Californians who, due to increasingly bad fire seasons, already had a stockpile of N-95 masks before the pandemic even started. What is a constant fear here became a reality in my home state, as wide-spread masking in New York City has made a comeback due to the dangerous conditions.
The number of fires across Canada, along with their emergence early in the season, mark a significant increase from prior years. The scorched area is already 10 times larger than what is typical this time of year, and the risk of fire is expected to remain unusually high throughout the summer. It’s as if these fires are nature’s way of sounding the alarm and alerting us to the devastation that will continue if we don’t take steps to mitigate our environmental footprint.
Of course, some say that climate change isn’t cause for alarm because climates change regularly. While that is true, it’s the long-term trend that distinguishes climate change from natural weather variability and crosses the line into chaos and uncertainty. What else could explain why California just saw one of its rainiest winters in years while New York barely got a drop of snow?
In recent years, the term “climate change” has more accurately turned into “climate crisis” because, quite frankly, the planet is at the end of its rope and has very little slack left to give. From our extraction of natural resources to copious carbon emissions to failed conservation policies, our actions have consequences.
But not all hope is lost. There are organizational and multinational efforts to take action. Currently, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is attempting to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize the most ambitious carbon limits possible. Meanwhile, California and Mexico are working to address sewage and other toxic waste that are polluting waterways. Along with the Canadian-American joint effort to fight the recent wildfires, this demonstrates that the endeavors to protect our environment must reach across borders.
Unfortunately, elected officials seem more interested in maintaining power and helping their funders profit than they are in addressing the crisis at hand. They protect the status quo instead of finding innovative ways to transition to clean energy sources. They claim that their constituents will lose jobs without these power plants but fail to acknowledge that they have the power to create new jobs in clean energy fields. We need to call them out and push them to act not just to protect some abstract future, but also to protect us right now.
I’m calling on my cohort of like-minded, climate conscious individuals—Jews and non-Jews alike—to be that positive difference.
I’m calling on my cohort of like-minded, climate conscious individuals—Jews and non-Jews alike—to be that positive difference. We must work to protect our air and water quality at the local, state and national levels. This means urging the EPA to pass stricter measures when it comes to emissions limits, and supporting legislation in California like Senate Bill 252, which calls for statewide divestment from fossil fuels.
Let’s pressure our leaders to work for us, not against us. Who’s with me?
Hannah Pomerantz is a Jewish Center for Justice Summer Fellow and rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
For a Native New Yorker Living in LA, Recent Wildfires Are a Wakeup Call
Hannah Pomerantz
On June 6, New York City’s air quality index was measured at 200 (considered a “very unhealthy” level of pollution) due to wildfire smoke that had spread east from central Canada. As a native New Yorker now living in Los Angeles, I anticipated such an event was more likely to occur in my new state rather than where I grew up. This week, the true horrors of climate change are really hitting home for me.
What my family and friends are currently experiencing back east is nothing new to Californians. I have personally spoken with several Californians who, due to increasingly bad fire seasons, already had a stockpile of N-95 masks before the pandemic even started. What is a constant fear here became a reality in my home state, as wide-spread masking in New York City has made a comeback due to the dangerous conditions.
The number of fires across Canada, along with their emergence early in the season, mark a significant increase from prior years. The scorched area is already 10 times larger than what is typical this time of year, and the risk of fire is expected to remain unusually high throughout the summer. It’s as if these fires are nature’s way of sounding the alarm and alerting us to the devastation that will continue if we don’t take steps to mitigate our environmental footprint.
Of course, some say that climate change isn’t cause for alarm because climates change regularly. While that is true, it’s the long-term trend that distinguishes climate change from natural weather variability and crosses the line into chaos and uncertainty. What else could explain why California just saw one of its rainiest winters in years while New York barely got a drop of snow?
In recent years, the term “climate change” has more accurately turned into “climate crisis” because, quite frankly, the planet is at the end of its rope and has very little slack left to give. From our extraction of natural resources to copious carbon emissions to failed conservation policies, our actions have consequences.
But not all hope is lost. There are organizational and multinational efforts to take action. Currently, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is attempting to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize the most ambitious carbon limits possible. Meanwhile, California and Mexico are working to address sewage and other toxic waste that are polluting waterways. Along with the Canadian-American joint effort to fight the recent wildfires, this demonstrates that the endeavors to protect our environment must reach across borders.
Unfortunately, elected officials seem more interested in maintaining power and helping their funders profit than they are in addressing the crisis at hand. They protect the status quo instead of finding innovative ways to transition to clean energy sources. They claim that their constituents will lose jobs without these power plants but fail to acknowledge that they have the power to create new jobs in clean energy fields. We need to call them out and push them to act not just to protect some abstract future, but also to protect us right now.
I’m calling on my cohort of like-minded, climate conscious individuals—Jews and non-Jews alike—to be that positive difference. We must work to protect our air and water quality at the local, state and national levels. This means urging the EPA to pass stricter measures when it comes to emissions limits, and supporting legislation in California like Senate Bill 252, which calls for statewide divestment from fossil fuels.
Let’s pressure our leaders to work for us, not against us. Who’s with me?
Hannah Pomerantz is a Jewish Center for Justice Summer Fellow and rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
An American Tragedy: Porn Star, Cat Fights and Fredo Returns
But When There’s a Real Genocide, They’re Silent
Sonoma State University President Retires
It’s Not a Fairy Tale
Alleged Paul Kessler Killer Will Stand Trial
So Many Holidays, So Little Time – A poem for Parsha Emor
Culture
Aliza Lavie’s ‘Iconic Jewish Women’ Inspires and Empowers
Recipes to Celebrate World Baking Day
Holy Moly — A Perfect Red Rice
Jewish Comedians Shine at ‘Netflix Is a Joke’ Festival
Israel War Room Discovers How-to-Riot Guide and Pro-Terror Propaganda for College Students
Israel War Room exposed a Google Drive that included pro-terror propaganda and a how-to-riot guide for students at anti-Israel encampments across the U.S.
Orthodox Jewish Families Fight for Equal Treatment in California Schools
When it comes to religious schools, funding for services for students with disabilities is blocked – even though it should be permitted under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The Multitasking Chef: Benny’s Grill L.A. is a Solo Restaurant Operation
Benny is a one-man show, seamlessly transitioning between roles as chef, waiter, cashier and busboy.
Showing Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind
A Bisl Torah – A Soulful Journey
As you wander through your spiritual journey, let God be your guide and Torah be your destination.
Hollywood
Spielberg Says Antisemitism Is “No Longer Lurking, But Standing Proud” Like 1930s Germany
Young Actress Juju Brener on Her “Hocus Pocus 2” Role
Behind the Scenes of “Jeopardy!” with Mayim Bialik
Podcasts
Eitan Bernath: Exploring the Jewish Kitchens of Mexico, Food on Social Media and Egg Salad
Modern (Orthodox) Dating ft. Mikey Greenblatt (@jewishvibes)
More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.