Embers of Awakening: From Firestorms to Climate Healing
Stories from 2017 Tubbs fire survivors situate a global climate crisis in Sonoma County and question how we can recover from trauma while providing insights to prevent the further demise of our communities and planet.
Sixty mile an hour winds, tinder dry hills, firestorm tornadoes that melted cars while traveling the length of a football field every three seconds—in October 2017, Sonoma County lost 22 lives, 5200 structures, and awoke to the pain of climate change. Embers of Awakening blends the powerful personal stories of fire survivors with interviews from scientists and activists to inspire each viewer to take action.
Sonoma County experienced nearly identical fires 53 years apart but the results were vastly different. We ask questions: What happened during those years that generated such a devastating fire? What could have been done differently? What is the role of climate change? What can each of us do?
Featured are interviews of scientists, politicians, theologians, psychologists, physicians, business people, climate activists, firefighters, people who lost their homes, and others. Visual footage helps explain the story: the effects of a firestorm, rebuilding, solar panels, electrification options, geysers generating electric power, controlled burns, as well as community members and organizations partnering to resolve issues.
Scientists clearly state that the window of opportunity to make lasting change shrinks daily. We ask the questions: How can we awaken one another quickly and what can each person do to make a difference? We want viewers to leave with active hope–reflecting on the science and stories shared and considering what they can personally do to contribute to the greatest existential challenge our planet has faced.
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History & Healing after the Fires
Listening for a Change reached out to households to hear multiple voices from varying geographic fire-destroyed areas as well as differing demographics. The firestorms of 2017 burned over 5200 homes in Sonoma County with an additional 1200 other structures including businesses, barns, etc. Twenty-four people died in Sonoma County in what was the most destructive fire in California history.
The stories are gifts for us all—Healing is promoted and for those receiving the story, there is an opportunity to understand what our neighbors went through and how they have been affected. With better understanding, we will be able to more effectively support one another, rebuild, and protect our devastated community. Sadly, the fires have continued—2019 and 2020 were years of additional wide destruction.
Orozco household
Gearinger household
Henderson household
Pardo household
Weare household
Carlin-Rosset household
Weil-Mollard household
Bell-McClendon household
Sheth household
Phillips household
Deputy Sheriff Dave Thompson
Jewish Community Center of Sonoma County’s Firestorm Video History Project
A collaborative effort with the Jewish Community Center of Sonoma County, Listening for a Change filmed and edited 60 people who lost their homes in the firestorms of 2017 or were leaders. To view excerpts from these powerful stories, go to: http://listeningforachange.org/jewish-community-firestorm-video-history-project/