Burning Man Floods

Many Burning Man attendees experienced first hand the drastic nature of weather anomalies this year. While the severity of our predicament was a bit exaggerated to the general public, natural disasters continue to occur all around us with floods in Libya, earthquakes in Morocco, and wildfires in Maui.

As Burners, we commit to Leave No Trace. Unfortunately, humans are flawed and prone to carelessness. I, along with other climate activists, am weary of the event’s damaging effect on the land. But rather than project hypocrisy, I prefer to hold space for paradox.

I wholeheartedly believe participation in Black Rock City's magic contributes to sustainability efforts in the default world through deep, compassionate healing. Ultimately, though, the fate of our planet relies on local, state, national, and global policy with the compliance of industrial polluters and community support for the environmental movement.

By assuring the world we were alive (and thriving) in the face of extreme weather, I worry we risked diminishing the danger of such significant desert rain. It's easy(ish) to party through disaster when resources are abundant and conditions are temporary. My only hope is that our easeful mindset withstands the challenge of more desperate times.