I want to respond to many comments individually over the next few days but as a P.S./side note, I’m just really touched by the responses to this piece. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for such thoughtful condolences, shared fears, and mutual outrage. Your words have made me cry, smile, and feel seen. I realized the other day that there were less than six months between Hurricane Helene and its “unprecedented” destruction and the Eaton Fire. And Eaton was only roughly a year after the Lahaina fires and their “never before seen” brutality. We are going to see this more and more, in every corner of our lives. That's terrifying, frankly. But after reading your responses, my faith is renewed in the fact that "enough" is a position shared by humans sick of suffering around the globe. And being sick of something is the first step to figuring out a Plan B.

If you can do me one favor and don’t have any cash to give (or if you want to do both!), it’s just asking yourself how you can be a lighthouse to your fellow humans in need – pre or post disaster. Physically, emotionally, IRL, online, all of it. Prepare, protect, avenge, dream, heal, all together. Get your go bag ready, yeah, and then be ready to serve those in need in whatever small or big way or niche way you can. Keep doing it. And keep expressing your astonishment when people share photos and write essays from the frontlines. The climate collapse is not normal, the crackdowns on climate protests & nonviolent disobedience are not normal, none of this should ever be accepted as normal. We deserve better, our families deserve better, our children deserve better, every being on this Earth deserves better. <3 Thank you again, profoundly, for the support & kindness.