This week, Global Citizen co-founder Michael Sheldrick, takes us to Western Australia—a region facing both inspiring progress and serious setbacks on climate.

💚 Good News: In the former coal town of Collie, a just transition is taking shape. As coal phases out, nearly $700M is being invested in clean energy projects like large-scale batteries and green steel, with job retraining and community revitalization at its core. It’s an inspiring example of climate progress rooted in local collaboration between workers, governments, and activists.

🔥 Not So Good News: The Australian government just extended a major methane gas project through 2070—potentially locking in over 4 billion tons of emissions and casting doubt on Australia’s climate commitments.

🤝 What You Can Do: Climate solutions work best when they’re built with—not for—communities. Collie’s story shows what’s possible when individuals are willing to spend the time to talk to each other and build trust. That's how change happens!

If you feel stuck on how to make an impact, Mick’s book "From Ideas to Impact" is full of practical examples of how to take good intentions and use them to make a difference in tackling devastating and unjust global challenges including climate change, poverty, disease, and more. Highly recommended!

Read more here: talkingclimate.ca/p/can-a-coal…

Every week, I share stories that reflect where we are, what’s at stake, and how we're already able to shape a better future. Here's this week’s!

✅ Good News: China’s often painted as a climate villain by those trying to prevent climate action elsewhere: but a new Carbon Brief analysis finds its clean energy technology exports are already reducing global emissions—1% this year alone, and 4 billion tonnes over their lifetimes.

⚠️ Bad News: Just the last few weeks, extreme heat and floods have swept Europe, Asia, and North America. Climate change is loading the extreme weather dice against us, putting lives, homes, and infrastructure at risk.

💡 Inspiration: After John, a retired school principal, read Saving Us, he started talking to neighbours about his EV and solar panels, and teamed up with community orgs to engage local youth in climate and nature. He's a great example of how change begins with conversations!

Know someone making a difference? Add their story below!

Read more here: talkingclimate.ca/p/how-chinas…

This past week brought a landmark legal opinion for climate and set another series of staggering heat records: a powerful reminder of why we all have a role in accelerating climate solutions.

✅ Good news: The International Court of Justice issued a historic advisory opinion affirming that governments have a legal duty to address the "urgent and existential threat" of climate change. Initiated by Pacific Island law students, this ruling strengthens the case for climate justice and reparations world-wide.

⚠️ Not-so-good news: In Kashmir, climate change is disrupting water supplies and agriculture. This month saw the hottest temperatures in over 70 years, and glacial melt is threatening the region’s long-term water security, despite the area contributing little to global emissions.

💡 What you can do: Innovation is essential to climate action. Local startups are building climate solutions, and they need visibility, support, and partners — not just funding. Whether it's mentoring, amplifying their work, or connecting them with a pilot site, each of us can play a role (yes, you!)

Don't forget to share what you learn with others, so they also understand how climate change affects their lives and how they can contribute to meaningful solutions. The newsletter is called "Talking Climate" because it gives you stories and ideas on how to talk about climate every week!

Read the full edition here: talkingclimate.ca/p/the-worlds…

Alberta may be known for its oil and gas, but it’s also home to some inspiring climate leadership. From award-winning innovation to climate equity efforts and the very real impacts of a warming world, here’s some of what I saw and learned while I was there on one of my bundled trips last month.

🌱 Good news: Calgary-based Carbon Upcycling recently won the prestigious Global Warming Mitigation Project Keeling Curve Prize for turning industrial waste into low-carbon cement, while the City of Calgary continues to lead with its Climate Implementation Plan and equity-focused programs like Climate Ready YYC.

🔥 Not-so-good news: Canada is warming at twice the global average which means that wildfires are becoming more intense and frequent and glaciers are receding -- even in winter, for the first time on record. And despite leading in renewables in 2023, Alberta’s provincial government is now pulling back on green energy support.

🤝 What you can do: Local groups like the Calgary Climate Hub are driving action and conversation on the ground. Wherever you live, there's likely a local climate action you can join, too. Show up, share their work, and bring someone with you to amplify your voices!

Read the full edition of the newsletter here: talkingclimate.ca/p/whats-heat…

As the world faces intensifying climate extremes, voices of compassion are speaking out. This week’s newsletter explores hope, heartbreak, and how each of us can help connect the dots.

🌿 Good news: Pope Leo XIV is carrying forward Pope Francis' legacy by elevating climate action as a moral imperative. From calling for a "conversion of hearts" at a special Mass to approving a new liturgy "for the care of creation," his leadership echoes the calls of Catholic bishops from the Global South for climate justice and systemic change.

🌊 Very bad news: Tragic flooding in Texas has claimed the lives of over 135 people and left many more still missing, two weeks later. As climate change fuels stronger and more frequent extremes, to keep people safe we need more investment in weather and climate services— not less.

💡 What you can do: A global study shows that people don’t automatically link extreme weather to climate change—but when someone they trust explains the connection, their support for solutions grows. That messenger could be you!

Read more here: talkingclimate.ca/p/todays-flo…