Category: News & Events

News & Events

News and Events June 2026

JUNE 2026

Dear Friends,

Before we all slide into summer mode, I’d like to tell you how proud I am of the work that C-Change has been doing this year. In the last six months, we’ve presented 17 times in nine states, reaching nearly 1,400 people!

Our nonpartisan, nothing-but-the-facts messaging continues to resonate with moderate and conservative audiences. And at a time when our global temperatures are rising and we’re feeling the effects of climate change on our health, homes, and wallets, it’s critically important for people to understand why it’s happening, what changes are coming, and what we can do to protect the things we love.

That message is crucial – but the biggest factor in our success is the people who believe in what we’re doing: Our pool of dynamic, motivated presenters who have expanded our reach and availability. The club members, businesspeople, religious leaders, and educators who’ve seen our presentation and valued it so much, they’ve invited us back to their communities and recommended us to others. The new friends who brought us to their towns and created expansive events to draw in as many people as possible.

And, of course, it’s you. Whether you arrived here after seeing a presentation or found us on your own while trying to bolster your understanding of climate change, you’re the heart of our success. We simply couldn’t do our work without your support, and we’re deeply grateful.

I hope you’ll read on to learn more about our growing connections and activities this year. And rest assured, our momentum is only picking up – we’re already prepping for our fall and winter events, including the launch of our podcast, “Simmer Down,” and an exciting annual benefit. (Details coming soon!)

You’re here because you know it’s important to keep talking about climate change. I hope you’ll consider a donation to help us continue the conversation. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Biggins
Founder and President

A Busy Spring for Kathleen Biggins

Kathleen buckled up her seatbelt over the past few months as her presentation schedule took her from Florida and Virginia to Colorado and Ohio.
 
Jacksonville: It was gratifying to be asked back to this coastal community after a successful tour there in 2025. While in Jacksonville, Kathleen presented to audiences at St. John’s Cathedral, Christ Church in Ponte Vedra, the Rotary Club of Bartram Trail, and the Bolles School.
 
Charlottesville: On another return trip, Kathleen presented to the Rivanna Garden Club, which she also spoke to in 2025. The club’s leadership honored Kathleen with the Women’s History Month 2026 Award for “Leading the Charge: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”
 
Denver: Kathleen headed to the Rocky Mountains, where the Garden Club of Denver hosted an event for 200 people at the beautiful Denver Botanic Gardens. Kathleen took particular note of how the staff is working to adapt and prepare for climate change, including in “assisted migration” – bringing plants from as far south as Phoenix because temperatures are getting too hot for them there, and preparing for a much hotter future in Denver. During her visit, Kathleen also presented to the Denver Rotary Club. The audience, including former oil and gas lawyers, had a spirited, engaged Q&A session.

Akron: This was C-Change’s third trip to Ohio (and we’re already mapping out our fourth). The Akron Garden Club, along with Summit Metro Parks and Akron Summit County Library, hosted a large public event featuring the general Climate Primer. Kathleen also presented the Business Primer to the Rotary Club of Akron and spoke to 8th grade students at Old Trail School, which invited her on the spot to return to talk to future classes.

A talk to Optum Employees

In May, Kathleen expanded our roster of presentations to businesses, delivering a presentation via Zoom to 116 Optum employees from across the country. Optum is a healthcare solutions provider. Kathleen’s discussion focused on the intersection of health and climate change and how to more effectively engage on the issue. Optum’s Serena Swanson said of the presentation:

“Kathleen made a complex, often overwhelming topic approachable by breaking it down in a way that resonated with our community – focusing on likelihood, consequences, and cost, while connecting impacts to the economy, health, and global stability. She effectively balanced the seriousness of the issue while reinforcing that meaningful action is still possible, leaving our community with hope. … We would highly recommend C‑Change Conversations to any organization looking to foster informed, constructive dialogue on climate change and its real-world implications.”

Our Speakers on The Road

Dallas Hetherington, long-time C-Change presenter, delivered the Health Primer to the Garden Club of Reading (PA) at the Wyomissing Public Library. One organizer noted that it is important for the club to focus on “a feet-on-the-ground approach,” adding that C-Change did exactly that. In April, Dallas presented members to the Harrison Park Towers Climate Club (Orange, NJ), highlighting how C-Change approaches climate communication and outreach. A lively Q&A session inspired several attendees to develop their own shortened climate presentations for local students, drawing on much of the science and framing from the C-Change Primer.
 
Nicole Curnan, C-Change speaker and outreach coordinator, presented to Princeton (NJ) Day School juniors and seniors. Students participated in an animated discussion on topics including China, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and climate-related career paths. The school subsequently invited C-Change to return for future student cohorts.
 
Sally Coenan, a member of our Athens (GA) affiliate, presented at Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Athens) to parishioners and community members interested in the intersection of climate and health. Attendees were highly engaged and cited C-Change’s nonpartisan approach as a standout feature of the presentation.
 
Karen Florini, C-Change strategic advisor, presented an abbreviated version of the Primer to the Rotary Club of Winchester, VA. The presentation, which was offered both live and via Zoom, focused on solutions and recent advancements in electrification technology. The discussion that followed featured thoughtful, in-depth questions, highlighting strong engagement from attendees.

Shaping Our Primer with Expert Feedback

This spring, we continued to present our Primer to a wide range of senior climate experts in Washington, DC, to get their opinion on our outreach. In addition to expressing strong support for our goals, these experts complimented our strategy of reaching outside the climate choir and were enthusiastic about our framing of the issue as one of risk management. We were grateful to meet with people who have held distinguished positions, including head of NOAA, sustainability director at a leading investment management firm, and a White House official. Thanks to our strategic advisor, Karen Florini, for coordinating these insightful opportunities.

Public Radio Interview in Florida

Taking action on climate change is about saving the things that sustain our way of life and protecting the future for our loved ones. That message was at the heart of Kathleen’s radio interview on WJCT public radio in Jacksonville, FL. She discussed the intersection of faith and climate with Rev. Mark Anderson of St. John’s Cathedral on “First Coast Connect” while she was in town for a series of C-Change presentations. You can watch it here (starts at 31:40).

C-Change Wins Garden Club Award

C-Change Conversations, nominated by both The Garden Club of Princeton and Stony Brook Garden Club of Princeton, was awarded the 2026 Communications

Commendation of Zone IV of the Garden Club of America (GCA). The award citation reads as follows: For exceptional leadership in communicating the science and urgency of climate change through clear, nonpartisan and inspiring outreach.

This award is particularly meaningful for us, as GCA has been an ongoing source of support and inspiration. Garden clubs have brought so many people to the conversation and we’re humbled to receive this honor.

RepublicEn Shares B-Change Blog

C-Change Conversations was highlighted in RepublicEn’s weekly newsletter as a reliable resource for conservative audiences. This highly respected eco-right organization was started by Bob Inglis, a former conservative congressman from South Carolina, who has previously written a blog for us on why conservatives should care about climate change. In the newsletter shoutout, RepublicEn also featured Karen Dougherty’s informative “B-Change” blog about volunteering.

C-Change Athens

Our Athens affiliate members were busy this spring. In March, they attended several Athens-Clarke County planning department and mayor and commission meetings to offer input on revising local data center regulations. 

In April, the team hosted a free, public Earth Day event, “Helping to Understand Your Utility Bills,” in partnership with Southface Institute at the Athens Community Council on Aging. Topics included: how residential electric and gas rates and fees are structured; how to read and interpret utility bills; how to review annual consumption data to guide energy efficiency decisions; how to estimate the annual cost of common household appliances; low-cost and DIY energy efficiency improvements; how utilities are regulated in Georgia and how residents can participate in that process. Georgia Power community engagement specialists offered one-on-one help to customers who qualified for discounts and rebates.

The Athens affiliate joined 10 other local organizations to host a mayoral candidate forum on energy and the environment before the May election. All five candidates addressed key issues including data center development, the local government’s clean and renewable energy plan, transportation, and infrastructure. A local media outlet shared a broadcast of the forum online. The forum was so well-attended and received that the coalition plans to host a similar event ahead of the November general election.

Exciting Work by Science Advisor Nadir Jeevanjee

We’re all dedicated to talking about climate change around here, but this one goes above and beyond! This spring, C-Change advisor and federal climate scientist Nadir Jeevanjee participated in a 50-hour marathon presentation on climate science and weather. Nadir talked about the origin of climate modeling and offered insight into how historical figures influenced forecasting today.

Click to watch Nadir’s talk on Manabe’s Climate Forecasts and the full 50-hour 2026 Weather and Climate Livestream.

Upcoming Events
  • August 3: Lake Frederick, VA — Lake Frederick Conservation Club
  • August 3: Shepherdstown, WV — Potomac Valley Audubon Society at Shepherd  
         University (open to public)
  • August 13: Linville, NC — Granddfather Golf & Country Club
  • September 14: Woodbury, MN — Eco-Faith Collaborative x Sustainable Stillwater at
         Woodbury Central Park Amphitheater (open to public)
  • September 15: Minneapolis, MN
             Minneapolis South Rotary Club at Midtown Global Market (open to public)
             The Women’s Club of Minneapolis
  • October 13: Princeton, NJ — Medical Grand Rounds
  • October 15: Oyster Bay, NY — North Shore Land Alliance (open to public) 
  • November 17: Princeton, NJ — The Garden Club of Princeton

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News & Events

News & Events; January 2026

January 2026

Dear Friends,

At a time when our country has been gripped in icy temperatures, our hearts have been warmed by the reception we’ve received over the past few months. Talking about climate change in this country is tougher, the headwinds stronger – and yet, people continue to invite us into their communities and their homes because they want to bring our nonpartisan, hopeful message to their friends and neighbors.
 
One of the things that keeps us going is invitations to return. We were recently invited back to Charlottesville, VA, and to the Minneapolis area, where we last presented in 2021. It’s so validating to hear from people who are still thinking about our message years later and want to share it more widely today. 

With that to fortify us, the ice and cold can’t slow us down. We’re heading north, south, and west to keep talking about climate change risks and solutions – and we hope to catch up with you somewhere soon!

Warmly,
Kathleen Biggins
Founder and President 

Our Presentation Team has Grown

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve expanded our team of Primer presenters. After completing an extensive training program in 2025, our new presenters hit the ground running in the past few months. Congratulations to:

  • Sally Coenen, who presented at a session for C-Change Athens members.
  • Nicole Curnan, who presented at the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education conference at the College of New Jersey.
  • Karen Florini, who presented on climate change and poverty at Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law.
  • Peter Girard, who presented to the Emmaus (PA) Garden Club.

Our whole team – including Dallas Hetherington and Kathleen Biggins – is eager to present in 2026! Please reach out if you would like to book a Primer presentation in your community.

Coming Soon: The C-Change Podcast

That’s right – we’re launching our own podcast! In this inaugural season of Simmer Down, we’ll be sitting down at the (virtual) kitchen table to talk about how climate change is affecting our health, our food, our homes and insurance, our wallets, our leisure and recreational activities, and our future – especially for our children and grandchildren.

As our host, Kathleen will chat with a diverse pool of experts – doctors, business leaders, scientists, climate experts, and more – for interviews that explore what climate change really means for our lives and our communities, and what we can do about it, together.

Stay tuned for updates – and in the meantime, you can listen to our past interviews on Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

And Speaking of Podcasts

C-Change’s work is sparking interest that is reaching around the world! Kathleen recently had the pleasure of being interviewed for two podcasts with global audiences.
 
For an episode of the Future of Sustainability, host Michael Hanf discussed with Kathleen about how C-Change is able to talk about climate change in a way that opens minds instead of shutting down conversations. And in this episode of HerStory Circle, host Gertrude Matshe walked through Kathleen’s journey of awakening to the realities of climate change and the founding of C-Change.
 
In addition to those podcasts, Kathleen was featured during a live LinkedIn interview with communications expert Blair Huddy. They talked about the effectiveness of C-Change’s nonpartisan approach and how our efforts are continuing to expand.

And Speaking of Podcasts

Kathleen has been traversing I-95 for the past few months. In November, she visited Richmond, VA, where she delivered Primer presentations to high school students at St. Catherine’s School. Kathleen then received a standing ovation for her presentation to 150 people at The Women’s Club, a 130-year-old organization created to foster intellectual education for women.

The same week saw Kathleen on a whirlwind tour of Connecticut. She presented the Primer at the Farmington Land Trust and to 400 students and faculty at Miss Porter’s School, where she was asked immediately to return to share the presentation with future classes. And at a Primer event hosted by the Connecticut Valley Garden Club (Hartford), Kathleen fielded questions for more than an hour after the program from a deeply engaged audience at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History.

On her way back down South, Kathleen participated on three panels at Renaissance Weekend, a gathering of thought leaders and change-makers that spans a range of interests from academia and philanthropy to politics and business. Discussing climate change in this gathering offered new perspectives on how to meet this global challenge.

Last but not least, Kathleen presented the Primer to the Naples (FL) Garden Club. A live audience of 165 watched as it was also streamed to many additional viewers. Nancy Hughes, the club’s vice president of programs and education, said:
“C-Change Conversations made complex environmental issues clear and understandable for our membership, inspiring them to think about climate and personal responsibility. It was never overwhelming. The positive feedback from our members confirmed that they left the program informed, energized, and eager to continue the conversation. C-Change is a wonderful resource that engages audiences with facts, hope, and practical solutions.”
C-Change Athens
Our Athens affiliate members are working diligently to educate their community about local and statewide issues, including the Georgia Public Service Commission, data centers, and clean-energy affordability in the new year.

Ellie Pennybacker is collaborating with the Southern Sustainability Institute to plan a sustainability summit in Athens in April. She plans to convene leaders in education, healthcare, business, construction, and transportation to brainstorm ways these different sectors can contribute to the progress of Athens-Clarke County’s Clean and Renewable Energy Plan.

Ramsey Nix began working for the Athens-Clarke County Sustainability Department, where she will develop educational content and materials and deliver accessible community workshops that increase clean-energy literacy, support cost-saving and sustainable household behaviors, and connect residents to incentive programs and workforce pathways.

If you haven’t yet, you can follow C-Change Athens on Facebook and Instagram to learn about local events and issues – and to see how Helen Kukendall is communicating about climate change through her photography.

March 10-11, Denver, CO Denver Botanic Gardens – March 10, 5 p.m. free public event
Rotary Club of Denver – March 11, 7:30-8:30 a.m. public   event
 March 17, Wyomissing, PA
Garden Club of Reading, 1 p.m. public event at Wyomissing Public Library
 
March 18, Charlottesville, VA
Rivanna Garden Club, 1 p.m. public event at the CODE building

April 16, Jacksonville, FL
Rotary Club of Jacksonville
 May 18, Akron, OH 
Akron Garden Club, public event (details TBA)

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QNL 360

October 2025

Dear Friends,

Blink and you miss it – how can it already be autumn? Well, there were no summer doldrums for us here at C-Change and we’re keeping busy as we head into the end of 2025. From continued joint programming with Glenmede (a boutique wealth management firm) about climate risks to investments to multiple forays into the Deep South to training a roster of new presenters to help us extend our reach, we’ve had great momentum these past few months.

Right now, our work is more important than ever. It’s always eye-opening on my travels to learn just how much skepticism about climate change is still out there, although the tune does sound a bit different these days. Once upon a time, the lyrics were “it’s not real.” Today, the refrain – sung by none other than Secretary of Energy Chris Wright – is that climate change is real, but just an acceptable “side effect of building the modern world.”

Indeed, the Trump administration’s anti-climate action and anti-renewables stance is loud and impactful. Wind and solar are moving to the front lines of a culture war. This is a real shame, as they are the cheapest and fastest new energy to bring online – and at a time when our energy cost and demand are skyrocketing, we could really use that sort of juice on our grid. Preventing the growth of these power sources will stress our wallets and our communities, and it will leave our country behind as the global economy speeds toward cleaner-energy forms.

That’s why we’re going to keep working so hard to help people understand the risks – economic, health, safety – that we face if we turn our backs to the global realities of climate change and ignore the solutions we have to address it. As we always say, it’s not a political issue, it’s a human one.

And you can help by connecting us with your human network. Think about where we could speak in your community to help your family, friends, and coworkers feel connected and informed – and to build a safer future for our kids and grandkids. Please reach out and let’s make those connections.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Biggins
Founder and President

 

Cimate Week NYC

Climate reporter (and our spring benefit speaker) David Gelles invited us to attend the New York Times’ Climate Week event in September. Multiple team members attended that event and others during the weeklong showcase of the best and brightest in the world of climate.
 
It was exhilarating and sobering. Highlights included the point-counterpoint of Secretary Wright, who touted the Trump administration’s vision of climate and energy and extolled the economic potential of gas and oil, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose approach to powering the fourth-largest economy in the world relies heavily (and successfully) on renewables and storage.
 
We also had the chance to meet many entrepreneurs showcasing innovations that can help address the climate challenge. From new heating and cooling systems, new fast-charging batteries, or even “petrochemical” substitutes made from farm waste like corn husks and leaves – the number and variety of inventions are mindblowing.
 
We left feeling renewed and recharged for the work we’re doing – and we encourage you to try to attend in 2026.

Support for the Endangerment Finding

The Trump administration has threatened to roll back a crucial finding that determined that greenhouse gases endanger human health and can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Issued in 2009, the Endangerment Finding gives the government the authority to regulate and limit power-plant emissions and methane leaks and to set fuel-efficiency standards for automobiles. A rollback would have massive implications for climate regulations – and our safety.

C-Change submitted a lengthy, science-based public comment to the EPA last month in hopes that we can add to the voice of climate reason as the agency determines next steps.

Partnering with Glenmede

Partnering with industry experts to explain and analyze ramifications of climate change adds a great deal of value when we talk with audiences. Our ongoing partnership with Glenmede is a perfect example – in July, we presented jointly in Stone Harbor, NJ. Kathleen presented on climate risks to our lives and economy, and Glenmede’s Mark Hays, managing director and director of sustainable investing, shared tools and approaches that help investors protect their investments and profit from the cleantech transition.

On the Road in the South

Our hats are off to the institutions and organizations that are working to educate their communities about climate change, especially in areas where climate-change pushback or denial is still strong. When they ask us to bring our expertise to town, we are thrilled to hit the road. 

Thanks to welcoming hosts with excellent outreach skills, our recent events in Jacksonville, FL, and Memphis, TN, were hugely successful. Kathleen presented to more than 800 people during these trips, including a whopping audience of 600 people at the Memphis University School. Other presentations in Memphis included the Hutchison School and the Little Garden Club of Memphis. In Jacksonville, she presented to the Late Bloomers Garden Club and at a public event hosted by the St. John’s Riverkeeper. We hope the audiences feel more empowered to meet the challenges ahead and we’re grateful for the chance to share our knowledge.

Dallas Hetherington Returns to Princeton

Dallas Hetherington was invited back to Windrows, a 55-plus luxury living facility in Princeton, to deliver our Health Primer and outline climate change’s many impacts on our ability to stay safe and healthy. Kudos to Dallas for his great work. 

New Primer Presenters

We are thrilled that we’ll be welcoming new presenters in 2026! We’re still wrapping up the process, but one new presenter – Karen Florini – has already hit the ground running, presenting to the Trowel Garden Club of the Washington, DC, area in September and delivering a Primer presentation on climate change and poverty at Villanova University this month.
 
We’re so excited to get the whole crew on the road – stay tuned for a formal introduction!

C-Change Athens

C-Change Athens affiliate members met with the new Athens-Clarke County Energy Program and Conservation Coordinator to learn about what the office is doing to reach the city government’s goal of 100% clean and renewable energy by 2035 and to discuss ways to educate the community about the clean-energy projects already underway.
 
Affiliate member Helen Kukendall has launched an Athens C-Change social media campaign aimed at expanding our reach and sharing local climate and clean energy news with Athens area residents.
 
The Environmental Defense Fund recently featured affiliate member Ramsey Nix in an article about her clean school bus advocacy with the Clarke County School District.
 
The Athens affiliates are focused on educating community members about the upcoming Georgia Public Service Commission election. These commissioners regulate utilities and determine the future of Georgia’s energy mix.

New Tool for Climate Central

When we talk with an audience about climate change, the information resonates better when people can connect with the impacts. This new tool from Climate Central shows the many ways that climate change is impacting specific locations. Enter your city and explore the data – you might be able to use this tool to start a productive climate conversation with people in your community.

Upcoming Events

Oct. 17, Villanova, PA: Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Nov. 5, Emmaus, PA: Emmaus Garden Club
Nov. 10-11, Richmond, VA:
     The Women’s Club: Garden Club of Virginia
     St. Catherine’s School
Nov. 12-13, Connecticut:
     Connecticut Valley Garden Club (Hartford)
     Farmington Land Trust (Farmington, public event)
     Miss Porter’s School (Farmington)

 

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Bee 250 Better

June 2025

Dear Friends,

We may be heading into the bright days of summer here in the United States, but it’s a dark and difficult time in the world of climate change.
 
I won’t pull punches: the administration’s moves to curtail clean-energy growth and double down on fossil fuel dependence are truly dangerous. We are “all in” for energy abundance and security, and recognize both the need to meet skyrocketing demand, and that fossil fuels will continue to play an important role into the future. But the administration’s perspective is outdated and myopic – we now know beyond a doubt that climate change will create great insecurity and economic pain on a scale that dwarfs any short-term benefit from reverting to fossil fuels. And abandoning our research and support of newer technologies will make us much less competitive on the global stage as the rest of the world embraces these new resources. 
 
Audiences who have seen our Primer understand this. They know the extraordinarily high economic costs of continuing the unabated use of fossil fuels at our current rate. They understand the pain climate change will bring to our communities – the hotter temperatures, more extreme rainstorms, higher levels of disease. They also understand how climate change is expected to harm access to affordable home insurance, home values, and broader investments.
 
Our audiences also understand the remarkable potential of new and emerging low-carbon alternatives, and the energy security, independence, and economic growth they provide.
 
In short, they understand the big picture: A 360-view that enables them to be more knowledgeable citizens who can use their influence to help control their – and collectively, all of our – futures.
 
C-Change is out there fighting misinformation and creating buy-in for action. We are truly nonpartisan – we’ve even been asked by the President’s supporters to bring our presentation to the White House to share with the administration. We believe this underscores how we view this challenge: as a human issue, not a partisan one.
 
It is a critical time and we need your help. Introduce us to new audiences. Support us financially. Share our blogs and podcasts.
 
We are all in this together.
 
Sincerely,
Kathleen Biggins
Founder and President

C-Change Podcasts are Streaming

C-Change webinars and interviews are now available as podcasts for millions to follow on multiple streaming platforms! You can follow us on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. We hope you’ll subscribe and spread the word!

And if you don’t already, please follow us – and share our content – on our other social media channels: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

And Speaking of Podcasts

We were fortunate to be featured on three podcasts recently – and you can listen to all.

Don Gordon, founder of Christians Caring for Creation (C3), a nonpartisan organization, featured Kathleen on the 
C3 podcast, which addresses key issues related to ecology and theology. Don attended a Primer presentation in Charlotte, N.C., and was enthusiastic about sharing our approach and message with Christians around the world. Don is a Baptist minister, and he and Kathleen spoke about many points, including the ethic of stewardship, the Christian belief that we are responsible for leaving the world in as good of shape – at least – as we found it. Take a listen. 

And on a trip to her hometown of New Orleans, Kathleen sat down for an interview with Melanie Young, host of the podcast “Fearless Fabulous You.” They talked about how life can give us “second chapters,” and discussed Kathleen’s journey from advertising to launching C-Change. Melanie also does podcasts on food and wine – her take on how farmers and vintners around the world are feeling climate change’s impacts is an eye-opening one.

Kathleen sat down with Shannon Maganiezin, host of “Climate Corrections,” to talk about why it’s essential to bridge political divides if we want to create meaningful climate action. They discussed how to engage climate-change skeptics — and how to talk about this charged topic without sparking conflict at the dinner table. “Climate Corrections” is the podcast of the VoLo Foundation, a private organization that strives to “accelerate change and global impact by supporting science-based climate solutions, enhancing education, and improving health.”

An Interview with New York Times reporter David Gelles

Want to share some compelling insight on climate change with your family and friends? Consider forwarding our interview with New York Times climate reporter David Gelles, recorded during our April 24th Spring Benefit in Princeton, N.J. If you haven’t watched it yet yourself, we hope you do – David’s thoughts on what we’d face in a “3-degree world” are sobering, but his ready sense of optimism that we can still navigate to a safer future left us inspired and hopeful!

To pre-order David’s forthcoming book, Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It Away, click here. (Publication date is Sept. 9, 2025.)

Connections in New York City and Philadelphia

In April, C-Change Conversations treasurer Catherine Sidamon-Eristoff and Kathleen presented to the Junior League of New York. Catherine is a long-time Junior League member and it was rewarding to present to so many engaged audience members. There was even an international climate expert in the audience who not only commended our efforts, but offered her assistance! We hope this is the first of many events with the Junior League.

Talking about how climate change will impact our financial security is a priority for C-Change. In May, Kathleen moderated a discussion on investing in climate solutions at ImpactPHL’s Total Impact Summit in Philadelphia. More recently, Kathleen joined Mark Hays, director of sustainable and impact investing at Glenmede, a wealth investment firm, for a webinar about the intersection of climate, the economy, and investment strategy. We’ve enjoyed an ongoing partnership with Glenmede and look forward to more events together this summer! 

Growing as a Trusted Messenger

C-Change is presenting programs in more places than ever before – and we’re increasingly called upon by respected organizations and institutions to talk about our nonpartisan approach. Recently, we have been invited to discuss our outreach with the Carnegie Center for International Peace and the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

C-Change was also interviewed about the impacts of climate change for a USA Today special edition on Earth Day (print only).

On the Road in North Carolina

Kathleen was delighted to head to Asheville, N.C. in April. It was the first time that C-Change has presented in this part of the Appalachians, but not Kathleen’s first trip to the area. She was shocked by the lingering destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene last fall – vibrant commercial centers still empty, trees like matchsticks still littering the hillsides, drowned railroad cars that had been pulled from the river onto its banks. It was a stark reminder of the magnitude of the damage that storms fueled by climate change can wreak. Studies show that climate change made Helene’s devastating rainfall 70% more likely in the Appalachian Mountains.

With Helene still fresh in their minds, the audiences in Asheville were particularly appreciative of our Primer presentations. Kathleen kicked off a public speaker series that featured other climate-oriented speakers including renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe and New York Times columnist and author Margaret Renkl. This standing-room-only event was held at Trinity Episcopal Church, which partnered with the French Broad River Garden Club and the McCullough Institute of UNC-Asheville for the event. Kathleen also presented at the Ramble Biltmore Forest community and at Warren Wilson College, where students gathered at the end to say thank you for not leaving them alone in this fight against climate change.

From Asheville, Kathleen headed to Charlotte, N.C., where she co-presented with Dr. Catherine Wright, eco-theologian and professor at Wingate University, as part of “Bridging Faith and Science: Spiritual Insights and Climate Change Conversations” at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Kathleen also presented to the International Women’s Forum of the Carolinas, a live event that was simulcast on Zoom for viewers around the world, as well as to Women in Business, a local organization.

B-Change: Helping Solve Climate Change by How we Shop

Did you know that our wardrobe choices can contribute to climate change – or can help solve the problem? Our latest B-Change blog is a fascinating look at the global fashion industry’s carbon footprint. There’s great guidance here on simple changes we can make while clothes shopping to reduce our own. We hope you’ll read and share.

C-Change, Athens Georgia

The Athens Area Community Foundation Clean Energy Fund has officially launched, thanks to the efforts of affiliate member Sally Coenen. She has been brainstorming ways to raise money for the fund with AACF Director Sarah McKinney and Director of the Southern Sustainability Institute Laura Iyer. The fund will support projects and initiatives that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience within the community.
 
Affiliate member Helen Kukendall recently attended a meeting of representatives from local climate groups to discuss alternative funding for clean-energy projects given the recent federal funding cuts.
 
As co-chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee for the Clarke County School District, affiliate member Ramsey Nix helped present the committee’s final recommendations to the Board of Education in April. Committee members have met monthly since January 2024 to write plans to help the school district implement renewable energy and green infrastructure, minimize waste, and reduce its carbon footprint.
 
Ramsey also recently joined members of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Moms Clean Air Force, and Climate Action Campaign to deliver letters to Senator Jon Ossoff’s Atlanta office in support of electric buses on World Asthma Day. Her essay about the experience was published on the SACE Website.

After participating in the 2025 Georgia Power Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) training program offered by Southface and Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, the affiliates are focused on advocating for increased renewable energy through the Public Service Commission. The IRP will be up for a vote this July, so the Athens C-Change newsletter has been publicizing speaking and letter-writing opportunities.
 
Athens affiliates have been encouraging state legislator Spencer Frye to introduce a clean-energy bill, and this February he wrote and then held a hearing on House Bill 402.  The bill proposes facilitating the generation, storage, and transmission of renewable energy. It did not move past the committee this session, but the Athens affiliates will continue to push for it when the Georgia legislature reconvenes.
 
Finally, Ramsey and Sally are participating in the C-Change speaker-training program with hopes of delivering educational programs about climate change in the Athens area.

Upcoming Events

July 24, Stone Harbor, NJ – Glenmede wealth management
Sept. 22-24, Jacksonville, FL – multiple events
Oct. 1, Princeton, NJ – Windrows community
Oct. 1-4, Memphis, TN – multiple events
Oct. 17, Villanova, PA – symposiumDr Catherine Wright, eco-theologian and professor at Wingate Universitye

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waterfall360

March 2025

Dear Friends,

During our presentation tour in Virginia this month, I was struck by a growing sense of unease. There is a dawning recognition that weather patterns are indeed changing, and while we may not want to put a label on it, we know something monumental – the normal rhythms and patterns that have been etched into our lives over decades – has shifted.

In a state known for lush forest and misty mountain passes, audiences spoke of the increasing severity of drought and water shortages (and whether enough people are putting buckets in their showers to capture and reuse the water in their gardens). They spoke of hardening homes against wildfires by replacing foundation plants with hardscaping. They lamented the high cost of rebuilding the many roads and bridges destroyed by Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding.

I also sensed a growing hunger for what we offer: a chance to learn about a difficult issue in a nonpartisan, non-confrontational manner that educates without polemics or hysteria. People value our approach – we were even asked by conservatives who voted Republican to take our presentation to President Trump and Elon Musk. Our audiences’ appreciation, plus their desire to share our presentation more widely with others, makes the long hours and miles traveled feel worth it.

Small steps. Big impact.

Thanks for being on this journey with us!

Kathleen Biggins
Founder and President

 

2025 Benefit: Staying Healthy in a Climate-Changed World

The changing climate is impacting our health – what can we do to stay well? On April 24, we’ll come together in Princeton, NJ, to hear renowned climate and health expert Jay Lemery, M.D., talk about what lies ahead, what the medical community is doing to prepare, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. This event will be a benefit to support C-Change Conversations. 

Dr. Lemery holds the Climate & Health Foundation endowed chair in climate medicine and is a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is the co-author of Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health.

C-Change Conversations is also partnering with Penn Medicine to offer a separate panel discussion on climate and health with Dr. Lemery in the Philadelphia area. That presentation will be geared to medical professionals.

The April benefit is open to all and will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. at Stuart Country Day School in Princeton. A social hour with tapas and a light bar will precede the presentation. To purchase tickets, click here.
Welcome Our Newest Strategic Advisor, Karen Florini

From left: Kathleen Biggins, Lexi Shultz (vice president of science policy and government relations at American Geophysical Union), and Karen Florini

We are so pleased to introduce Karen Florini as our newest strategic advisor. A longtime C-Change supporter, Karen most recently held multiple leadership roles at Climate Central. Previously, she served as deputy special envoy for climate change at the State Department after spending more than two decades at the Environmental Defense Fund, where she worked on environmental health and on climate change. She earned a law degree at Harvard (but now regards herself as a recovering lawyer).

Karen has hit the ground running, connecting C-Change with climate experts in the Washington, D.C., area to help us refine our communications and expand our outreach. Earlier this month, for example, she facilitated a presentation for us at the American Geophysical Union (their net-zero building blew us away with its technology and innovative architecture). These opportunities provide valuable insights that will strenthen our message.

In addition to bringing aboard those connections and her own expertise in policy, Karen is joining our roster as a C-Change presenter. She’ll kick off at the end of March by presenting the Primer at the Garden Club of America’s National Affairs & Legislative Meeting, an annual event attended by about 300 GCA members as well as national and state legislators from around the country.

We’re so grateful to have you as part of the team, Karen!

C-Change in the News

From print to podcast, C-Change was featured in some exciting ways this year so far. In February, we were a “Katie Couric Media” headline article! The “Ripple Effect” newsletter piece took a look back at the origins of C-Change and how our nonpartisan messaging continues to resonate with audiences. If you missed it, you can find it here.

And it was so fun to listen in when Kathleen Biggins was featured on “Second Act Stories,” a podcast that tells the tales of people who have made “major career changes to pursue more rewarding lives in a second act.” Co-host Andy Levine interviewed Kathleen for a great conversation about climate concerns, engaging diverse audiences, and the power of finding a new and unexpected personal journey. You can listen here.

A Blog from the EcoRight

To give us insight on how some Republican leaders view energy policy and the transition, we asked Bob Inglis, the executive director of republicEn.org, to write a blog for us. RepublicEn.org is a prominent leader of the burgeoning EcoRight, a growing movement among conservatives who “believe in the power of American free enterprise and innovation to solve climate change.” We think Bob’s take on clean energy policies is illuminating and worth sharing.

Kathleen Biggins Hits the Road

Members of the Garden Club of Winchester (VA) with Kathleen Biggins (third from left) and Karen Florini (left)

Kathleen kicked off 2025 with a presentation to an “old friend” – the Garden Club of America! Specifically, the Zone Conservation Leaders of NJ Garden Clubs asked her to present a Zoom talk on emerging climate trends.

In March, Kathleen hit the road for Washington, D.C. (as mentioned above) and multiple events in Virginia. More than 150 people attended our events, which included presentations to the Garden Club of Winchester and the Rivanna Garden Club in Charlottesville, as well as public talks at the State Arboretum of Virginia and Shenandoah University, which was hosted by professors of environmental science and business.

Dallas Hetherington Headlines Presentations

Dallas Hetherington had a busy start to 2025. On January 30, he delivered the Health Primer as the keynote address for the “2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Convening: Increasingly Severe Weather Preparedness Conference” at Drexel University in Philadelphia. About 60 people – including the media – attended the keynote session.
 
Earlier in January, Dallas presented the General Risk Primer to about 40 people at the Princeton (NJ) Windrows community. His presentation was so well received that he has been invited back to present the Health Primer later this year. You continue to wow us all, Dallas!

Molly Jones Offers Climate Career Guidance at Princeton

On January 23, C-Change’s chief operating officer Molly Jones participated in “Careers in Cleantech,” a program for Princeton University students. Organized by C-Change supporter and Princeton alum Tom Leyden, this panel discussion encouraged students to devote their talents to solving our climate challenges, with a particular emphasis on energy. Molly’s presentation focused on community-level examples of energy policy in action and the importance of looking at climate change as an economic issue rather than an environmental one. Kudos, Molly!

Latest “B-Change” Blog: Eat Less Beef

Did you know that decreasing the number of times you eat beef in a week – even by one meal – can help solve climate change? Our latest “B-Change” blog by Karen Dougherty takes a look at why you may want to consider making this shift in your diet. If you missed it, or if you want to share it with friends and family, you can read it here.

C-Change Athens Making Community Strides

The C-Change Athens team, from top left: Ellie Pennybacker, Lili Outz, Nancy Stangle, and Ramsey Nix. From bottom left: Sally Coenen, Helen Kuykendall, and Valerie Aldridge

C-Change affiliates are learning and advocating in Georgia! Several affiliates addressed the Athens-Clarke County mayor and commission during its February meeting to advocate for the establishment of a task force to support the county’s 100% Clean and Renewable Energy Plan.

The team is working with the Athens Area Community Foundation to establish a Clean Energy Fund to support projects and initiatives that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. In addition, several members participated in “Engaging in the 2025 Georgia Power Integrated Resource Plan” training program offered by Southface and Georgia Interfaith Power & Light. The six training sessions helped them understand the utility’s long-term planning process and how citizens can advocate for increased renewable energy.

Sally Coenen worked with Georgia House Representative Spencer Frye’s staff to introduce a climate-related bill that would encourage renewable energy, regulate energy providers, and fund renewable energy projects. The bill is now in committee for review. Sally was also invited to join a small group of local climate leaders to seek out grant opportunities.

As co-chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee for the Clarke County School District, Ramsey Nix helped create a plan to help the district implement renewable energy and green infrastructure, minimize waste, and reduce its carbon footprint. Ramsey will present the plan to the Board of Education in April.

Upcoming Events

April 7-8, Asheville, NC:

  • The Ramble Biltmore Forest
  • French Broad River Garden Club (public event)

April 9-10, Charlotte, NC:

  • St. Peter’s Catholic Church
  • Women in Business
  • International Women’s Forum Carolinas

April 17, New York City, NY: New York Junior League (public event)
 
May 15, Philadelphia, PA: Panel discussion at ImpactPHL Total Impact Summit ‘25

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DH 250

December 2024

C-Change set big goals in 2024 and met the challenges.

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