The recent fires prove we need to focus on the people component of climate change

At dusk, a spark from a transmission line hits the dry grass. Fire lights the sky and blows across fields, turning grass into embers and rooftops to ash. Knocks on doors and phone calls follow, sharing urgent messages to inhabitants saying evacuate immediately. A dog, guitar, and computer. That’s all they had time to grab as their car speeds off in the opposite direction of the swirling flames. 

Meanwhile, Joseph, the CEO of the culpable utility, is in a state of panic. Climate change. Climate change. The refrain repeats in his mind. He looks out into the ash gray sky and thinks: how could my utility have harmed people?

Joseph flips the switch to his TV. The news plays. A person who works at the local elementary school walks away from his home in shambles. A mother in tears takes her asthmatic young child to the hospital. Rolling blackouts impact thousands of people. What’s left is a community full of people fearing for their health and safety. People that care deeply for their family, friends, and legacy.  

Climate change. Climate change. The people. The people. Those words play in Joseph’ mind. He wonders how he can help.

In his chair he interlaces his hands over his head and breathes deeply. He thinks, there needs to be a way to stop climate change. There needs to be a way to help meet the needs of people in a shifting world.  

He knows energy efficiency and renewable technologies are already available to alleviate climate change. The economics prove favorable. But how do we get people to use these technologies? How do we get them to change the way they use energy in their homes and businesses?  

Then a different kind of spark—an epiphany—we are missing the people component. We need a human-centered approach to climate change.