We live in interesting times (an understatement!). Our sense of security has been shattered by the COVID-19 crisis and our sense of identity challenged by George Floyd’s killing and the ensuing reflection of who we are as a nation and as individuals. We are emotionally spent.

And yet, exhausted as we are, we need to keep in mind another challenge, climate change. Its threat may feel less immediate, but its consequences are much longer term. Scientists warn we need to act now, or our current emissions path will create a dangerous and dystopian world – one with devastating heat waves, food deprivation, more droughts and floods, and more exposure to disease. Because of our inaction so far, we are on track to leave our children and grandchildren a world we would never accept for ourselves.

Before COVID-19 emerged, the momentum on climate change had shifted. Republican leaders, recognizing that younger Republicans and independents care deeply about the issue, were finally talking about solutions like planting trees, investing in carbon capture and new nuclear power technologies. Democrats were fleshing out different approaches to a “Green New Deal.”

Back in February, C-Change Conversations presented the Primer to our largest audience ever (600 people!) in Shreveport, LA. Then we headed to public and private events in South Carolina, speaking to curious, concerned, everyday citizens and business and community leaders alike, all grappling with the issue of climate change.

Today is a very different story as we practice social distancing, quarantining, and adjusting to the realities of a pandemic. We are concerned with the safety of everyone, especially our many friends and supporters around the country. Our thoughts are with you as we collectively negotiate these difficult times.

And, as preoccupied as we are with COVID-19, we can’t take our eye off the slower yet no less menacing threat of climate change. Now more than ever we need trusted, scientific sources to better understand our world and
how to keep it and all of us safe.

To that end, we bring good news. C-Change Conversations is pleased to present new virtual learning resources for fans of our science-based, non-partisan approach to climate change: two virtual presentations of the award-winning C-Change Conversations Primer and “Ask a Scientist.”

While we can’t be together, we can band together to share good information and good thoughts. Please stay in touch and stay safe.

Warmly,
The C-Change Conversations Team

Virtual Presentations of the C-Change Conversations Primer
In celebration of Earth Day, C-Change presented the Primer as a webcast for the first time, in partnership with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Princeton Public Library. You can watch and share a recording of the webcast here. If you would like to schedule an interactive, virtual Primer presentation like this for your group, please let us know. Or, consider watching this recording of our Primer presentation, which we produced in the Princeton Community Television studios. 

Ask a Scientist
At a time when there are many unanswerable questions, we are happy to have enlisted three trusted scientists to provide answers to common climate questions (see below). We encourage you to submit your own questions here and visit the C-Change website often to read new questions and answers from the scientists.