Talking Climate with Katharine Hayhoe

What do a football jersey, a ski suit, a beach towel, and a scarf have in common? They all show the warming stripes—and open the door to talking about climate change. Here’s more on how you can join in, and start a conversation today without saying a word! Find your local warming stripes here . More about Ed here . Check out my video with Climate Adam here . Thank you to Anne Cloud with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Voic...

Climate resilience isn’t just smart—it’s profitable and, as climate impacts accelerate, it's rapidly becoming essential as well. 💡 Good News: A new World Resources Institute study finds that for every $1 invested in climate adaptation, we get more than $10 in benefits — even if the disaster doesn't occur! 🌍 Not-So-Good News: The cost of inaction is rising fast. From glacier collapses i...

These days, I’m often accused of being a “hopium peddler” -- a person who offers false comfort or even delusional solutions to climate change -- by some who are so worried about climate change, they've decided there's nothing we can do about it. They've given up, and they want everyone else to, too. But as a climate scientist who’s spent two decades warning about the very real risks...

Climate change is already disrupting farming, healthcare, and even our summer vacations—but there are smart, hopeful ways we can respond. From heat insurance for cows to climate-conscious travel, here’s this week’s roundup of risks, resilience, and what we can do. 🐄 Good news: India’s smallholder farmers are on the frontlines of climate change and agritech company DeHaat is helping them adapt by...

What does climate change have to do with your skin? More than you might think—and the good news is, you can do something about it. 💄 Good news: Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable, safer cosmetics, and that pressure is paying off. From refillable packaging to carbon-neutral pledges, major brands and newer companies responding. 😵‍💫 Not-so-good news: Climate change impacts our health...

🐔 Good news: In Zambia, a resilient new chicken breed called the Zambro is helping farmers adapt to extreme heat and drought. These hardy birds grow quickly, lay plenty of eggs, and require less food and water. 🍚 Not-so-good news: In Japan, a rice shortage two years after a record-breaking heat wave is a stark reminder of how climate change affects even the most basic foods. Japan may import 20x...

What motivates people to act on climate? The number one reason—across cultures—is love for the next generation. ✅ Good news: A majority of mothers care deeply about climate change—and they vote that way too. Studies show women, especially moms and grandmothers, are among the most engaged climate voters worldwide. ⚠️ Not so good news: Climate change is already harming reproductive health, mental h...

Who should pay for the climate crisis? A new study names names—and puts a multi-trillion-dollar price tag on the damage from extreme heat alone. 🌍 Good news: A new study offers rigorous evidence to support legal action against major polluters by identifying specific fossil fuel companies responsible for $28 trillion in climate damages. ⚠️ Not-so-good news: In the U.S., the National Climate Assess...

What gives me hope? When clean energy alleviates poverty, leaders speak up for justice, and people realize they’re not alone in caring about climate. Good news: Pakistan installed 22 GW of solar in 2023—more than Canada ever has, and more than the UK added in the past five years. Not-so-good news: The world lost Pope Francis last week. He was a fearless advocate for climate justice, continually re...

Beavers, birds, and biodiversity—sometimes, nature really does know best. And our love for the natural world can be a powerful driver of climate action. 🌿 Good news: In the Czech Republic, a government dam project stalled for years… until a colony of beavers built a network of dams in the exact same spot. As one expert put it: “Beavers do it for free—one thousand times better than people.” 🐸 Not...

We all want to protect what we love—but how can we love what we don’t know? This Earth Day, I highlight the power of food, nature, and everyday choices to catalyze climate action. Good News: Programs like EcoCooks are teaching young people how their food choices affect the planet—and when kids learn, they often inspire their parents to change, too. Not So Good News: Many of us live far beyond the...