Embedded Files
This one is from Great Lakes Audubon, but the tips probably apply to many places, and I know many of you live near one of of the Great Lakes.
How to Be a Responsible Birder and Wildlife Photographer
https://gl.audubon.org/news/how-be-responsible-birder-and-wildlife-photographer
How about some optimism? Al Gore has been at it for some time, so if he hasn't become tired of the fight, maybe we should find out why not.
Al Gore's case for optimism
Gore talks to HEATED about COP30, the Gates memo, and why he thinks billionaires should face far more scrutiny in the climate fight.
Emily Atkin Dec 04, 2025
This is a message from Catholic Climate Covenant about the COP30 held recently in Brazil.
Simply Not Enough
Simply Not Enough
A Joint Statement from Catholic Climate Covenant and Laudato Si’ Movement North America
A Joint Statement from Catholic Climate Covenant and Laudato Si’ Movement North America
Catholic Climate Covenant Dec 02, 2025
https://catholicclimatecovenant.substack.com/p/simply-not-enough
So what about COP30? Conference of the Parties (a UN climate conference), which I have posted about when it began recently.
This came from the Laudato Si' Movement. There are 2 articles and 2 links below.
"COP30 Reflections: Returning From Belém With Purpose
The Laudato Si’ Movement arrived at COP30 with nearly a decade of climate advocacy experience since the Paris Agreement.
Yet despite strong faith-based engagement, the final outcome fell short of the moral clarity needed. Critical elements—like a fossil fuel phase-out—were removed, leaving a painful gap in the global response.
Still, the presence, testimony, and prophetic witness of faith communities at COP30 carried hope forward."
"A Prophetic Announcement: Faith Communities Lead on Divestment
Sixty-two faith institutions across multiple Christian traditions have made a historic commitment to fully divest from fossil fuels, signaling a major shift in moral leadership on climate justice. By withdrawing investments from coal, oil, and gas, these communities are ensuring their financial resources no longer support industries driving the climate crisis. Instead, they are redirecting funds toward renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and community-led initiatives that honor our interconnectedness and protect our common home."
https://laudatosimovement.org/news/faith-in-action-62-institutions-choose-the-planet-over-profit/
I was surprised to see, in an article from One5C, a reference to Laudato Si'!
"In a speech Wednesday marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’...Pope Leo urged world leaders and citizens not to abandon the fight for our planet. After an intro by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Leo framed environmental action as a moral and spiritual imperative and pushed for unity ahead of November’s COP30 U.N. summit in Brazil. Pope Leo emphasized the lopsided impact climate change has on the world’s poorest, noting that caring for the planet is the same as caring for humanity. “Hope is not passive,” he said. “It must inspire action—for the Earth and for each other.” "
I followed the link to this TIME100 Climate article:
"Oct 1, 2025 11:43 AM CT
Pope Leo Demands Climate Action"
8 Great Fall Birding Trails
By Kenn Kaufman, Field Editor, Audubon magazine
These are from all over the country, so one may be near you, or near where you might be traveling.
https://www.audubon.org/magazine/8-great-fall-birding-trails
Pope Francis, his film: "The Letter", and his famous encyclical: Laudato Si', were what started me on this journey to learn more about what I could do about the climate crisis. But what does our new pope (from Chicago!), Pope Leo, have to say about it? Thanks to an e-mail from The Laudato Si' Movement and The Guardian, we have a good idea!
"‘Listen to the cry of the Earth’: Pope Leo takes aim at climate change sceptics"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/01/pope-leo-climate-change-sceptics-cry-of-the-earth
Here's a topical story, and something you might not have heard, from HEATED:
Charlie Kirk was a fossil fuel industry plant
Big Oil's money gave Kirk a larger platform to spread baseless climate conspiracy theories—as well as other extremist views.
Emily Atkin Sep 18, 2025
This article from HEATED is not only about how dangerous drilling in the Arctic would be, but how one person is trying to make a difference.
Meet the backpacker making Trump's Arctic drilling push go viral
Leah Garden Aug 15, 2025
Here is an article from One5C that shows that eating a more vegetarian diet even without eliminating all meat is still very beneficial.
The massive impact of eating half-as-much meat
It’s like eliminating the emissions of all domestic flights
ByTyler Santora August 26, 2024
I hadn't been to the archives for a while, so I took a look, and see what I found! This beauty is from one year ago:
The 2024 Audubon Photography Award Winners.
It is said that you won't protect what you don't love, and what's not to love about beautiful nature photos!
https://www.audubon.org/magazine/2024-audubon-photography-awards-winners-and-honorable-mentions
While I have been concerned about Climate Change for a long time, it is because of Laudato Si' that I have started this website, so it seems only right to start here.
Happy World
Environment Day!
This is from a mailing I received from Catholic Climate Covenant:
"World Environment Day invites us to pause and consider our relationship with the Earth — not just as a planet we live on, but as a sacred gift from God... When we care for forests, waterways, and the climate, we are also caring for families who depend on clean air, safe drinking water, and a stable climate to live with dignity."
https://catholicclimatecovenant.substack.com/p/a-sacred-responsibility-reflecting
If you like turtles, or just wildlife in general, you will enjoy this story from Sierra:
To Save the Tiniest Turtle in North America, Scientists are Rebuilding Bogs from Scratch
By Carrie Arnold, Photos by Jamie Wick, March 26, 2025
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2025-1-spring/feature/bog-turtle-tiniest-turtle-rebuilding-bogs
I wasn't sure where to put this, but it is about the environment, and I believe that birds and the outdoors make us care more about everything around us!
Are you a birder that likes to camp? If you are you may already know about this link that I found in the archives:
"The National Audubon Society
× Hipcamp
Let’s talk Important Bird Areas, y’all!
We're making it easier for birders to find incredible places to pitch their tents or park their rigs and get birding! Find a peaceful private camping spot in one the many vital bird habitats."
Time to start thinking about getting outdoors as the weather warms up!
I get a lot of climate related e-mails! One organization I receive them from is :
The Climate Reality Project.
Here is their summary of this administration's first 100 days:
"This administration’s barrage of anti-climate actions began right away with the announcement of intent to withdraw the US from the historic Paris Agreement and shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s a small sample of what they’ve been up to the past 100 days:
Defunding research and dismantling agencies like EPA and NOAA
Targeting state programs designed to fight the climate crisis
Moving to claw back billions in clean energy climate grants
Announcing the fast tracking of dirty energy projects
These disastrous decisions will drive up costs, degrade health outcomes, and accelerate the climate crisis for the benefit of Big Oil shareholders and their political beneficiaries."
If you would like to know more about this organization, here is their website:
Pope Francis and the Sun
Pope Francis and the Sun
Bill McKibben Apr 21, 2025
Bill McKibben is an excellent writer and a champion for climate awareness, too. Here are his feelings about the passing of Pope Francis, Laudato Si', and what he meant to the future of our planet. https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/pope-francis-and-the-sun
I was so saddened to hear of this wonderful man's passing. Pope Francis was an exceptional pope, a charismatic leader and a strong advocate for the environment.
I took a trip way back into the "archives" tonight and found this collection of awesome bird videos from The National Audubon Society's 2023 Audubon Photography Awards
Nature is so beautiful!
https://www.audubon.org/news/our-15-favorite-videos-2023-audubon-photography-awards
I found this editorial in my new Spring Sierra issue encouraging in the face of all that we see happening around us. I hope you will, too.
History Is Calling
History Is Calling
The Sierra Club and our allies will keep making progress, no matter who is president
By Ben Jealous March 26, 2025
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2025-1-spring/top/history-calling
Tomorrow, April 5th, is a national day of protest. This article from One5C, aside from reminding us about the many things we need to protest, addresses dealing with all the bad news and how it affects us. One of the many ways happens to be joining a protest! Joining with others and taking action are helpful, as well as taking breaks and finding ways to enjoy life.
How to handle a barrage of bad news
There’s a fine line between staying informed and doomscrolling
ByMolly Glick April 3, 2025
Even though I am aware of what the election of the present administration means to progress on climate, I found this article from Heated appalling. If anyone on the right would read or believe what is going on, how would they feel about their "Pro-choice" president now?
I will put the link to my website in the comments below.
"If fully realized, the Trump administration’s recent actions at the EPA will result in skyrocketing rates of chronic disease and cancer in America—particularly in babies and pregnant people, populations particularly vulnerable to fossil fuel pollution. This is not only my opinion, but that of several major medical groups, including the American Lung Association and the American Public Health Association.
Here’s a short summary of what EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin did just last week, via the New York Times—and it’s really just the tip of the iceberg:"
"Make America Healthy Again" is dead
"Make America Healthy Again" is dead
There is nothing RFK Jr. can do at the Department of Health to make up for what's happening at the EPA.
There is nothing RFK Jr. can do at the Department of Health to make up for what's happening at the EPA.
Emily Atkin Mar 18, 2025
Here is a message I received today from Catholic Climate Covenant, concerning what the current administration is doing:
Executive orders and directives vs.
Catholic Social Teaching:
How they stack up
If you have been following me from the beginning, you might remember that I started this website when I became involved in climate change because of the Pope's initiative, as put forward in Laudato Si'.
https://catholicclimatecovenant.substack.com/p/executive-orders-and-directives-vs
Here is an encouraging message from the executive director of the Sierra Club:
Ready to Fight—and Win
Ready to Fight—and Win
Let’s build an environmental movement that works for working families
Let’s build an environmental movement that works for working families
"Working people sent a clear message that they will vote their pocketbooks. It is up to us to meet the working people of this country where they are. Our movement has a lot to offer—not just in maintaining a livable planet but also in helping create well-paying jobs, improving health outcomes with cleaner air and water, and lowering energy bills. We will speak to people through community-based organizing and an emphasis on relationship building. "
By Ben Jealous December 12, 2024
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2024-4-winter/top/ready-fight-and-win
I hadn't checked in on our friends from the League of Women Voters' Waste Not Want Not recently, so I did today. They never disappoint! Here are some encouraging words for trying times.
Take Control of What You Can Control
You already know Elon Musk.
You need to know Harold Hamm.
"The billionaire oil tycoon's fingerprints are all over Trump's high-speed push to crush environmental regulation and renewables.
Emily Atkin Feb 12, 2025 Heated
At a dinner for Big Oil executives last year, Donald Trump promised to give the fossil fuel industry essentially anything it wanted in exchange for $1 billion toward his re-election effort. The dinner was organized by Harold Hamm."
A good idea from Heated:
A tipline to protect the planet
Polluting industries have captured the federal government. We’re opening a secure tipline for employees to report the impacts.
Emily Atkin and Jacob Carter Feb 06, 2025
I will be interested to see what feedback they get.
This is a wonderful article about a beautiful National Park I visited many years ago with my family. It's from the most recent Sierra Magazine. What is mitigation? Preparing for the inevitable.
Acadia National Park Is a Lab for Climate Change Mitigation Efforts
Acadia National Park Is a Lab for Climate Change Mitigation Efforts
It's one of the most visited national parks
It's one of the most visited national parks
and also one of the most vulnerable
and also one of the most vulnerable
December 11, 2024
Thanks to Bill McKibbon and the New Yorker for this article.
Jimmy Carter, Green-Energy Visionary
As President, he told us that we needed to shift to solar power. We should have listened to him then.
By Bill McKibben Photograph by Harvey Georges / AP
President Jimmy Carter, center, is surrounded by reporters and photographers as he inspects a new White House solar hot-water heating system located on the roof of the West Wing.
On June 20, 1979, President Jimmy Carter—sporting a bushy haircut and a wide necktie—invited dignitaries and reporters onto the roof of the White House to watch the installation of thirty-two solar water-heating panels. “A generation from now,” he told them, “this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken, or it can be just a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people.”
A generation later, one of those panels showed up in a private museum in the offices of an entrepreneur named Huang Ming, in the city of Dezhou, China. In the spring of 2010, I interviewed Ming, who was building a vast fortune by installing pretty much the same solar water heaters across the country. If you’re flying into a Chinese city, look down and you might see one of the devices on every other roof.
COP29 smells like oil
COP29 smells like oil
What’s happening—and not happening—at the biggest and most influential climate summit in the world.
What’s happening—and not happening—at the biggest and most influential climate summit in the world.
Arielle Samuelson Nov 21, 2024
Did you know that there was a big Climate Conference going on? The world's biggest, in fact. Well, just in case you're interested in whether anything was accomplished at it, here's a link from Heated, that can take you to many other links!
How to Feed Birds Safely This Winter
Nov. 22, 2024
We had our first snowfall, and even though it's already gone, it looks like colder, wintry weather is here. You may be thinking about the birds and how best to help them. Here are 2 stories from Audubon (and more if you search their site). The second one is about turkeys!
https://www.audubon.org/magazine/winter-2021/how-feed-birds-safely-winter
https://www.audubon.org/news/the-wild-blue-turkey-blew-my-mind
Oct. 26,2024 This is an extremely timely article from one of my newer sources, Heated. Remember, reducing our fossil fuel usage is urgent!
How bad could Trump be for renewables?
How bad could Trump be for renewables?
A previously unreported study predicts a massive decrease in solar, wind, and battery development if Trump adopts just one proposal in Project 2025.
A previously unreported study predicts a massive decrease in solar, wind, and battery development if Trump adopts just one proposal in Project 2025.
Emily Atkin and Arielle Samuelson Oct 24, 2024
https://heated.world/p/how-bad-could-trump-be-for-renewables
This is an excellent essay about how and why we feel like we do about the climate crisis, and what to do about it!
This is an excellent essay about how and why we feel like we do about the climate crisis, and what to do about it!
Worried about climate?
Worried about climate?
‘We can change the world,’ speaker says
‘We can change the world,’ speaker says
‘We have to be together, we have to be smart and we have to hurry.’
by Kitty Nagler September 17th, 2024
Here is another new link from the Catholic Community, and I plan to dive into this, because it's loaded with good stuff!
Franciscans for Earth
Franciscans for Earth
"As Catholic Sisters who follow the rule and life of St. Francis of Assisi we believe all is sacred, good and interconnected. We believe creation is God’s continuing revelation and mystery unfolding in our world. We call ourselves Franciscans for Earth. We reject that which does harm to creation and our earth companions."
Here is something from Laudato Si' and Catholic Climate Covenant, that was created for Catholics concerned with the climate crisis, but it can and should be of interest to everyone, "We're all part of God's Planet"
It has been over a year since I embarked on my journey through Laudato Si' to discover what I could do to combat climate change.
Another Laudato Si' Week is coming!
This Laudato Si’ Week and Pentecost, let us gather in community to contemplate and nurture seeds of hope for our “suffering planet” (LD 2). Laudate Deum is a reminder about the urgency of the Laudato Si’ message and the need for both personal and cultural transformation amidst our ecological and climate crises.
This year’s Laudato Si’ Week theme is inspired by the symbol for Season of Creation 2024, “firstfruits.” Let us be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, rooted in faith and love.
“There are no lasting changes without cultural changes … and there are no cultural changes without personal changes” (LD, 70)
July 21, 2024
Do you love Dragonflies? I do! Not only are they beautiful, but they eat mosquitos, too! Here's a great article from Sierra about Dragonflies:
Behind Dragonfly Research Is a Group of Eclectic Enthusiasts Holding the Field Together
By Claire Boyles July 11, 2024
Watch Thousands of Sandhill Cranes Lift Off In Real Time!
Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary is at the heart of one of the most magnificent migration spectacles on Earth. Every March, over a million Sandhill Cranes converge on the Platte River Valley in central Nebraska to fuel up before continuing north to their nesting grounds.
Sandhill Cranes are among the oldest living birds on the planet and research suggests that migration has likely taken Sandhill Cranes across this region for many thousands, if not millions, of years. You can witness this ancient and awe-inspiring migration from the comfort of home with explore.org’s live nature cameras.
Visit explore.org for a wide variety of wildlife cams, and if you time it right, you might witness breathtaking moments, like tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes lifting off into the sky at once.
Advocates in Evanston and beyond call for K-12 climate education
Advocates in Evanston and beyond call for K-12 climate education
Climate education can range from lessons on the greenhouse effect to discussions of climate anxiety.
This may be about Evanston, but it's a good idea for all schools (note "beyond")
What’s the big deal about Earth getting 2°C hotter?
What’s the big deal about Earth getting 2°C hotter?
Here's another good article from National Geographic!
BYKIERAN MULVANEY
What’s the big deal about Earth getting 2°C hotter?(nationalgeographic.com)
There is BIG news in Chicagoland! According to the Archdiocese of Chicago website:
"Archdiocese of Chicago Announces its Shift to
100% Renewable Energy
Cardinal Cupich made the announcement on December 17, the 87th birthday of Pope Francis.
Chicago - (Dec. 17, 2023) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, today announced that the archdiocese, including its nearly 400 parishes and schools, and offices, will shift its entire electricity purchase to 100% renewable, effective in January 2024. This renewable energy purchase is the equivalent of removing 15,000 cars from the road annually, or the carbon emissions generated by 8,500 homes per year."
This is a huge step, and I hope other Cardinals and Bishops follow suit. A great example for their congregations and other organizations, too!
National Geographic is a wonderful magazine. My grandmother subscribed to it, and I had the fortune to inherit and read many of them, which were from the 1920s -1970s! The photography has gotten even better, and although I don't have a subscription (no time to read another mag!), I get e-mails from them every day, with samples of articles like this one:
The battle at Earth’s poles:
The Arctic is warming four times faster than the world in general. The Antarctic’s melting iceberg formations (above) are contributing to rising seas. In these scenes, our photographers captured this beautiful, abruptly changing world. Click the link below for the rest of the article, but especially the incredible photos!
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/north-south-pole-arctic-antarctic?
Here is an article from Grist about how even Pope Francis is getting frustrated by how little has changed despite his best efforts:
Here is an article from Grist about how even Pope Francis is getting frustrated by how little has changed despite his best efforts:
The Pope leads 1.4 billion Catholics.
The Pope leads 1.4 billion Catholics.
Getting them to care about the climate is harder than he thought
Getting them to care about the climate is harder than he thought
Here is a nice list of things we can do to make a difference from my church's website:
Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle
Calculate your Carbon Footprint
Be energy efficient
Move to a more plant-based diet
Say NO to single use plastics
Use less water
Use energy efficient appliances and lights
Garden in a climate friendly way
Adjust your driving routine
Petition policy makers
Vote knowledgeably
Write to local newspapers
Stay informed and up-to-date on Climate issues
Form a study or action group
Join the community’s CathCap Program to offset driving and flying carbon effects
Talk, Talk, Talk to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors about climate change
Laudate Deum
Yesterday, October 4th, Pope Francis gave his Apostolic Exhortation, Laudate Deum, "to all people of good will, on the climate crisis". This is a world leader giving a clear message, a cry of alarm. While it is long, it is eloquent, brilliant and passionate. Please, if you can, find the time to read it and give it some honest thought. It is clearly a call to the powerful to make significant changes, but also to all of us to do whatever we can to re-evaluate our lifestyles.
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20231004-laudate-deum.html
Join Us for Signs of Hope in this Climate-Heavy Summer
I received this in an e-mail from ' Anna Johnson North America Senior Programs Manager for the Laudato Si' Movement:
Greetings!
I know many of us are feeling the climate impacts of this summer, whether it be extreme heat, smoky air, wildfires, flooding, drought, or any other host of impacts.
As Pope Francis reminds us, it is important to let our hearts break and let ourselves weep for our world that is suffering, and we hope you are also finding ways to root yourself in prayer and moments of hope. Here’s LSM’s August prayer reflection to support you in reflecting upon our current times.
Please read on for upcoming opportunities and a friendly request for your help!
Join us:
As we weep for all of creation that is crying out to us, we invite you to join us this Thursday, August 24 at 9AM PT / 10AM MT / 11AM CT / 12PM ET, for a webinar on the Biodiversity Crisis; a way in which the earth is crying out to us, but we often do not hear about in the US.
We are experiencing an interconnected crisis that has reached profound levels. Alongside devastating climate impacts, ecosystems are under unprecedented pressure. God’s creation—the biodiversity of our web of life—is being lost at an astounding rate: in the US, 34% of plants and 40% of animals are at risk of extinction, and 41% of ecosystems are at risk of range-wide collapse. As Pope Francis says, “The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.” (Laudato Si, 33).
By clicking the link "in the US", I found the link below. Lots of information there!
Pope urges world leaders to do more to tackle climate change
Pope urges world leaders to do more to tackle climate change
VATICAN CITY, July 23 (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday that recent heat waves across many parts of the world and flooding in countries such as South Korea showed that more urgent action was needed to tackle climate change.
"Please, I renew my appeal to world leaders to do something more concrete to limit polluting emissions," the Pope said at the end of his Angelus message to crowds in St. Peter's Square.
"It is an urgent challenge, it cannot be postponed, it concerns everyone. Let us protect our common home," the pope added.
What is Ecological Education?
Ecological Education is the process of fostering ecological awareness and transformative action in our homes, schools, and community programs to:
✔️ More firmly grasp and acknowledge the interdependence of all living systems
✔️ Develop a deeper sense of responsibility for the environment and the impact of our actions
✔️ Incorporate into our daily lives concrete steps to both protect the planet and live sustainably within it
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