Ralph Hamlett

Ralph Hamlett

Alderman, Canton, North Carolina; Professor Emeritus of Political Communications, Brevard College

Dr. Ralph Hamlett is an alderman in the town of Canton, North Carolina. He lost his house when tropical storm Fred hit in 2021 — "it upended and just washed away." The mayor of town rescued him. After that he said, "I realized I was homeless." Canton is near Asheville, where Hurricane Helene hit last year. 

Dr. Hamlett adamantly views that climate change is the reason for these increasing extreme weather events and can speak to the trauma incurred by himself and other people who survive this reality.