We must densify

Climate change may not have been the cause of crazy Santa Anas, but it is linked to the intense rainy seasons/ dry seasons fluctuation. This is the extreme weather event that we will deal with more and more for years to come.

We will never have the capabilities to build, let alone insure, in fireprone areas because we will never be able to clear the massive amount of brush that will accumulate after very rainy years.

We must consider doing what we fear most: building housing and living in the city. This means upzoning single-family neighborhoods, building transit to make it possible — given that we can't possibly move that many cars of any variety through such tight spaces, especially in emergency situations as we saw in Hollywood.

We have to actually confront our fears of living in this city — the homeless, the criminals, etc. and accept the fact that we will have to create homeless shelters throughout the city, that we will have to accept a police presence but also create a culture where neighbors trust each other.

In other words, we have to change. We don't have a choice.