Disability and Climate Change

Disability Rap

On today's show, we focus on the intersection of disability and climate change and the disproportional impacts extreme weather can have on people with disabilities and older adults. We start local here in Nevada County and then zoom out for broader perspective and context.

On December 26, Nevada, Placer, and El Dorado Counties were hit with a massive snowstorm, the likes of which we have not seen in recent memory. The snow caused downed trees and widespread power outages that affected over two-thirds of Nevada County, over 60,000 households. While some power was restored within a matter of days, other residents went one and two weeks without power.

As we have discussed on this show before, Nevada County has, for better or worse, gotten used to Public Safety Power Shutoff events, when our power utility, PG&E, shuts off service to reduce the risk of wildfire. Usually, these events last between two and four days, not two weeks as was the case with this snowstorm.

People with disabilities and those who use life-sustaining medical devices were significantly impacted by this storm. We’re joined by Cathleen Parsons, a FREED consumer who had to evacuate during the storm. We’re also joined by Alex Ghenis, the founder of Accessible Climate Strategies. Alex is a climate resilience and disability rights researcher and advocate, dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of people with disabilities in a changing world.