A Matter of Degrees Presenting: L.A. Wildfires: Rebuilding for a Hotter, Drier Future
Jan 23, 2025
Sammy Roth, a climate columnist for the Los Angeles Times and host of the Boiling Point podcast, chats with Kelly Sanders, a USC civil engineering professor and former White House clean energy advisor. They dissect the severe wildfires in Los Angeles, linking them to climate change and discussing innovative resilience strategies for rebuilding. Topics include the challenges of water management, the transition to a zero-carbon energy system, and the need for sustainable urban design to mitigate future wildfire risks.
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Relocation and Evacuation
- Kelly Sanders returned to Santa Monica from Washington D.C. one week before the podcast.
- She had to evacuate her home due to the fires and slept in her office.
Predictability of Fires
- Scientists predicted these fires due to climate change's impact on the environment.
- Drier conditions and increased fuel from previous wet periods contribute to larger fires.
Rebuilding Challenges
- Sammy Roth and Kelly Sanders discuss the rebuilding challenges after wildfires.
- Rebuilding homes in fire-prone areas raises difficult questions about balancing safety and housing needs.