The Burning Man disaster is ‘a teachable moment’ about climate change

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: Unexpected heavy rain at the Burning Man festival saw attendees forsake its "leave no trace" motto, abandoning vehicles and bicycles in the Black Rock Desert

🔭 The context: Once an underground haven for free spirits, Burning Man has become a hotspot for celebrities, tech moguls, and elites
• The recent extreme weather showcases how quickly environments can shift due to climate anomalies

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: While individual storms cannot be directly linked to climate change, the state expects intensified storms due to global warming

⏭️ What's next: The festival's aftermath may intensify critiques of its environmental impact, underscoring a perceived departure from its foundational values
• Hopefully, this will prompt future organizers of the event to reevaluate their environmental footprint and values

💬 One quote: “It’s a teachable moment, as far as climate disasters and extreme weather go...This is very much just a trial run under really, really easy conditions for what a lot of people go through” (Anya Kamenetz, Burning Man attendee)

📈 One stat: Despite heavy rainfall, which was unusual for the region, nearby city Reno is experiencing its second-wettest year on record.

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change