Category: Quarterly Newsletter

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 But the administration’s perspective is outdated and myopic – we now know beyond a doubt that climate change will create great insecurity and economic pain on a scale that dwarfs any short-term benefit from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 SubstackSpotifyApple 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: LinkedInFacebookInstagram, 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 Awayclick 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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December 2024

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

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August 2024

Introducing a new blog on solar transition and a “Did You Know?” social media campaign.

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June 2024

We are beyond excited about what we’ve achieved so far in 2024.

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March 2024

What a terrific first quarter of our 10th anniversary year! Read about all our accomplishments.

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December 2023

And what a decade it has been since the inception of C-Change Conversations in 2014.

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Rainbow 850

September 2023

What a summer. There was no escaping the heat, the wildfires, the floods…

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May 2023

At C-Change we don’t hold back facts but we also emphasize all the good that can come.

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March 2023

Our goal from our very first day in 2014 is to educate others on the risk of climate change …

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