What the LA Wildfires Teach Us About Global Empathy—7,300 Miles Away
With the advent of the internet, smartphones, and social media, we can get news from across the globe within seconds. As the wildfires across Los Angeles spread, so did the news about its extent.
We watched as people uploaded scenes of their homes being engulfed in flame and called for aid. We heard about celebrities who lost their mansions to horrific fires that burned everything they had worked for in a matter of minutes. We viewed aerial shots that showed the gravity of damage through before-and-after comparisons; entire neighborhoods were reduced to ashes.
As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of natural disasters, witnessing their destruction has become a common experience worldwide—delivered directly to us through the screens in our pockets. One day, it’s wildfires in Los Angeles or snowstorms in the southern United States; the next, it’s typhoons and earthquakes in the Philippines.
We can't escape disaster: not in our homes and not on our phones. Yet the paradox of our modern lives is that while it is hard to avoid seeing and even harder to look away from disaster, the emotional pull it exhausts on us is the same reason we scroll past and choose to ignore it.
While empathy is expected from others as a natural response to any disaster, empathy dissipates. Our constant exposure to tragedies has led to a sense of desensitization, a phenomenon described by Charles Figley, a Vietnam War veteran and founder of the Traumatology Institute at Tulane University, as "compassion fatigue." This term refers to the psychological toll of helping others through their trauma. Initially associated with professions that involve regular exposure to distressing events, compassion fatigue is now seen to affect anyone who encounters distressing news.
This suggests that when society becomes overwhelmed by troubling stories, many of us are prompted to avoid these realities rather than confront their emotional impact.
Acknowledging how disasters affect us, not only those who are in immediate danger of it but even those who are far from imminent harm, allows us to actively seek empathy over indifference. And while we are far from danger, we are not far from being able to help. So what do we do to transform apathy into empathy?
Check-in on Family and Friends - Even if you're far away from the disaster, reach out to loved ones who may be affected. A simple message or call can provide emotional support.
Example: If someone you know lives in an area impacted by wildfires, you can offer a place for them to stay or if they have evacuated to a safe and accessible location, send them a care package with essentials like masks, water filters, or even personal notes of encouragement.
Connect Affected Individuals with Resources - Help others navigate support systems by linking them to verified organizations or local groups providing aid.
Example: Share information about shelters, financial aid programs, or other essential services that can directly assist them.
Donate to Verified Organizations - Monetary contributions to trusted organizations are one of the most effective ways to help. Look for groups actively working on the ground and use platforms that verify legitimacy.
Example: Organizations like the Red Cross or local disaster relief efforts often provide direct aid. More organizations here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEnw6-kzjaD/?igsh=MTlubHpvNDlpNmtnYw==
Amplify Verified Information Online - Social media can be a powerful tool for spreading awareness about disasters and how to help. Share verified updates, donation drives, or calls for volunteers.
Example: Instead of reposting unverified images or sensationalized news, share posts from official accounts like government agencies or humanitarian organizations with actionable steps for support.
Educate Yourself About the Climate Crisis - Understanding the root causes of disasters like wildfires, typhoons, or floods equips you to advocate for change.
Example: Read reports from organizations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or watch documentaries such as Before the Flood.
Join Climate Movements and Protests - Participating in movements advocating for climate action is a way to tackle the systemic issues contributing to disasters.
Example: Join local events like Fridays for Future protests or campaigns pushing for renewable energy policies and the elimination of outdated and destructive practices.
Volunteer Your Time and Skills - If you're unable to donate money, consider offering your skills or time to support relief efforts.
Example: Volunteer at a local packing center for disaster kits, or use skills like graphic design or copywriting to help organizations create impactful awareness campaigns.
Advocate for Long-Term Policy Changes - Push for sustainable policies in your community, workplace, or government that address climate change and disaster preparedness.
Example: Advocate for policies that prioritize renewable energy, or support initiatives to improve infrastructure in disaster-prone areas, such as building flood-resistant homes.
Engage in Community Mobilization - Work with local groups to organize grassroots efforts that help those impacted by disasters.
Example: Form a neighborhood team to collect relief goods, host fundraisers, or run educational workshops on disaster preparedness and response.
Foster a Culture of Empathy - In your daily interactions, encourage others to care about global and local issues. Small actions can create ripple effects.
Example: Use conversations to inspire your peers to think about how their choices—like reducing waste or supporting green businesses—contribute to larger environmental efforts.
With rising global temperatures, disasters inch closer and closer to our doorsteps, striking without warning to wash away or burn through the lives we’ve built. Yet, in their wake, they leave a powerful reminder: we are all connected, sharing one fragile blue and green planet. It’s our shared responsibility to care not just for ourselves, but for those who call this home with us.
Apathy burns us out but empathy can spark something within us—whether it ignites change depends on what we do next.
תגובות