Sunday afternoon is a good time to think. Iʼve collected a few ideas for going beyond reacting to the headlines, particularly about climate chaos.
1) what we see others doing matters
Grist’s culture and behavioral science maven, Kate Yoder.
That initial spark often comes from social cues, Kate said. What we see the people around us doing and valuing is, generally speaking, a much more powerful influence on our worldviews and behavior than any other external force.
So letʼs treasure what we are doing to cope.
2) Some humans are accomplishing great things.
Nigerian farmers are switching to solar-powered irrigation pumps to cut fuel costs by more than 60% and extending their growing seasons.
3) Chris LaTray describes a happy time at IndigiPalooza MT this summer
Chris LaTray writes
scheduling and planning and pulling-off the Sunday Plant, Baby, Plant event was a big deal
Robin Wall Kimmerer spoke and then the audience went to work:
“They stuck around, as did Robin and all her people, and got their hands dirty, working shoulder to shoulder. So much work was completed too! A whole-ass fence was built. Another one was demolished. There was planting; there was mulching and there was weeding. It was also a lot of fun.”
4) Letʼs talk climate change. We can connect heads, hearts, and hands.
https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/08/19/want-to-do-something-about-climate-change-talk-about-it
This article appeared in the August 2026 print edition of the magazine [[High Country News]] with the headline “Why climate conversations matter.”
Atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe has a suggestion for where to start: Talk about it.
Hayhoe, a professor at Texas Tech University, is known for both her research and her outreach, including her Talking Climate newsletter.
“the first step is to have a conversation. What people don’t understand is that talking catalyzes action. “
“ As Bill McKibben says, the most important thing an individual can do right now when it comes to climate action is not be such an individual.”
Thank you for reading. (I boldy post this without seeing another entry for the support group today) I look forward to reading your responses.
We’ll get straight to the point: The financial hardships that Daily Kos is facing this year are tough.
We continue to be paywall-free. We continue to be supported by our readers, not billionaires or corporations. But we need to bring in more revenue. We are leaning on our community more than ever to help make ends meet.