One of the biggest challenges in climate action is imagining what a better future could actually look like: especially when solutions are so often framed as sacrifices that require loss, instead of opportunities to benefit from. This week's good news and what-to-do takes those on directly --

🏡 Good news: A new net-zero community in Ontario combines climate-friendly homes with walkable streets, hills and lakes, clean energy, and cold-climate heat pumps.

🚨 Not-so-good news: A new study from Houston found that climate disasters are making already dangerous prison conditions even worse, with extreme heat, flooding, and loss of basic necessities during storms.

🚶‍♀️What you can do: Try taking a “climate walk” through your own neighbourhood this week. What makes it livable? What could make it better? Climate solutions become much more tangible once we can actually imagine them around us!
talkingclimate.ca/p/would-you-…

What does it actually look like to move beyond fossil fuels — not someday, but now?

🌍 Good news: In Colombia, 57 countries gathered last week for the first-ever global conference dedicated to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Together, they're creating practical roadmaps for reducing fossil fuel use.

🌊 Not-so-good news: A new study warns that much of coastal Louisiana may eventually be lost to rising seas, erosion, wetland loss, and sinking land. New Orleans could become an island in the Gulf.

♻️ Inspiration: In Louisiana, Glass Half Full is turning recycled glass into sand and gravel for coastal restoration - reminding us that solutions don’t have to start big to matter, and that we can feed two birds with one scone!

(yes, you see what I did there)

Read more in this week’s Talking Climate and don't forget to share what you learn, to make change contagious! talkingclimate.ca/p/introducin…

This week, I’m delighted to welcome fellow climate Katharine, Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, as guest editor of Talking Climate.

🌍 Good news: The lawyers who contributed to the landmark International Court of Justice climate ruling reminds us how every one of us has unique gifts to bring to climate action.

⚠️ Not-so-good news: Young people are carrying an enormous emotional burden as climate impacts intensify, with many feeling fear and uncertainty about the future.

💚 What we can do: We don’t have to answer this question alone! Katharine's new book, Climate Wayfinding, and the accompanying program helps us move from climate anxiety and uncertainty toward courage, community, and action.

talkingclimate.ca/p/finding-ou…

Climate change is already reshaping our energy systems, our health, and even the basic medicines we rely on. But progress continues, and we can help.

⚡ Good news: Global investment in clean energy hit a record $2.3 trillion last year, outpacing fossil fuel investment for the second year in a row.

🦠 Not-so-good news: New research suggests that warming temperatures and drought may be fueling antibiotic resistance in soil, making infections harder to treat.

🌿 What we can do: The Nature Conservancy's free guide offers simple ways to get outside, from bird-watching to planting for pollinators to my personal fav: finding new ways to “wander and wonder.” Pick one thing and give it a try this week!

talkingclimate.ca/p/how-warmin…

There's a job opportunity for a Conservation Connectivity Facilitator at St Andrews University, Scotland

Fixed term till the end of March 2027

Closing date is 11th May, details in the link.

environmentjob.co.uk/jobs/1098…

The Transition University of St Andrews are a good bunch of folks, getting things done.

#Job

⛪️ Good news: In the U.K., over 100 church leaders are calling out climate misinformation, making the moral case for why it causes real harm and delays action.

🐍 Not so good news: Climate change is shifting where species live—and in the case of venomous snakes, a new global study finds rising temperatures could increase the likelihood of dangerous encounters for millions.

🌱 What you can do: In the Netherlands, nearly 13M pavement tiles have been replaced with plants through a nationwide “tile flipping” challenge that's cooling neighborhoods, reducing flood risk, and restoring habitat. talkingclimate.ca/p/faith-lead…

🌱 Good news: Cities like London, Paris, and Barcelona are redesigning streets for people instead of cars. This cuts pollution while improving health, local economies, and quality of life.

🌡️ Not so good news: Rising nighttime temperatures are disrupting sleep worldwide, with cascading effects on health, learning, and productivity—especially for the most vulnerable.

🏡 What you can do: Simple steps like adding window film, choosing reflective roofing, and planting trees can keep your home cooler, save money, and reduce the urban heat island effect, if you live in a city.

I am sorry there are not actually any stories about cats in the newsletter this week. I just couldn't resist this image of a cat trying to keep cool indoors.

Read on for all the details, and don't forget to share what you learn with others! talkingclimate.ca/p/three-citi…