Crosscut Festival

Last autumn’s deadly and massive Camp Fire in California presented the nation with a single dramatic storyline from a much larger ongoing narrative — American wildfires are burning more acreage and doing more damage than ever before. What can be done and are we ready in the Northwest? Leaders from our region will discuss Washington’s wildfire readiness with recently retired California Fire Chief, Ken Pimlott, who has spent his career on the frontlines of nearly every major fire in that state, including Camp Fire. 

Since the Green New Deal was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year, support for the ambitious legislation has fallen along party lines, serving as a kind of litmus test for largely urban Democrats and a punching bag for mostly rural Republicans. Is it possible, then, for the country to come together on environmental policy? Hilary Franz, a Democrat and head of the Washington state DNR, will entertain the possibility with former Republican Representative and founder of RepublicEn, Bob Inglis.

In the face of a climate crisis, we often assume “doing something small doesn’t matter, we need massive systems change.” But the the small things are important too. They are what keeps us breathing, what help us feel human, what gives us hope. This talk is about simple and fun ways we can all take action.

Presented with support from YES! Magazine