The Heat Is On: Sizzling & Sweltering this Summer

The end of June found Europe sweating, with over the top, record breaking temperatures.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, the following countries all had areas that broke records, many of them for 3 consecutive days during the span of time between June 21--28, 2026: Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, France, and Spain. Not only is extreme heat a serious health danger, but the fact that temperatures don't give way during overnight is a huge problem. The lack of cooling starts us all off "behind the 8 ball." Bodies do not have a chance to recover, putting heat stress on top of heat stress in a cumulative manner.

Using Perplexity.AI and the World Meteorological Organization's June 29, 2026 article , I crafted this simplified graphic and using the following conversion from Celcius to Fahrenheit as: F = (C × 9/5) + 32. Given that, 40°C is approximately 104°F and 42°C ≈ 108°F.

Meanwhile, "across the pond," the following week we had DC, Maryland, Philadelphia, & Boston, among the major areas that had to postpone their 4th of July celebrations based on extreme temperatures with triple-digit heat indexes. A "heat dome" high pressure system trapped humidity from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic States. Power grids in many US locations were pushed to their limits. My 5 pm July 3rd weather was listed at 99°F with a "feels like" temperature of 110°F... well past the height of the heat of the day.

Climate Scientist Katharine Hayhoe, whom I adore, called it for what it is--a direct effect from climate change which has been impacted by fossil fuel pollution. Be sure to click the "see more" to read her entire post with coordinating links: 

It's not "just summer" when it comes to record breaking heat of this extreme.

A great resource for Grades 6-12 teachers is OER Project: Teach Climate Change, a collection of free lesson plans. I know it's summer, but this is when we teachers do our percolating, especially when we have climate news happening around us to the point where it may impact our vacations and our patriotic holidays. There are a multitude of other resources also available at OER for history, science, geography and more. 

We need to take note and educate ourselves that this heat wave is not just a quirk of nature with these sizzling, sweltering days. It's a health concern for our entire planet. We need to go forward, not with despair, but with informed, collective action using the science and common connections. Through these, we take small steps to caring for each other and our shared home.

Graphic created using Perplexity.AI and data obtained from https://wmo.int/media/news/record-breaking-heat-spreads-through-europe; Katharine Hayhoe's Facebook post from https://www.facebook.com/20531316728/posts/10154009990506729/

Inspiring Heros: Nat Geo's 33 Changemakers

They had me at Harrison Ford. 

So I dug a little deeper and I was enraptured and captured by all 33 of National Geographic's "33 Changemakers" for 2026.

I love every way about how Nat Geo celebrates these environmental stewards, inspiring inovators, and bold thinkers. These people who have a commitment to the greater good of our planet and our people. They serve as leaders who model responsibility, perserverance and the power of activism and human impact. 

On National Geographic's Facebook Page, they shared some video shorts of each of these changemakers, speaking about what speaks to them. Here's the one that grabbed me and left me searching for more: 

To meet each and every one of this year's visionaries, go to their 33 Changemakers site and click to read about these remarkable people. (From there too, you can click a link to take a peek at the 2025 list as well.) From ocean advocates to climate technologists to explorers, defenders, pioneers, innovators, and more...who are from Hollywood indigenous tribes, and other global corners... these 33 leaders are passionate in their stewardship. Every one is worth clicking on to read their bios, then clicking in more to check out their deeper story.

For more video shorts and other videos about these innovators, go to Nat Geo's Channel and their 33 Changemakers links. 

Here is an overview of NatGeo's inaugural 33 Changemaker introduction last year.

Image from https://www.instagram.com/p/DV-_TYxlvvi/, Videos  from: https://youtu.be/79kLkjGR3JU?si=eZo4xs2mC10N7MmR (from the National Geographic 33 Changemakers of 2025) and https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1H5isyFN5R/

Learning Through Laughter: Comedy & Climate Change

Grist is an online environmental publication which has been around since 1999--25 glorious Grist years. Focusing on the intersection of justice, equity, and the environment--particularly climate change. There is always a wealth of news stories on what is going on in the world.

I ran cross this article recently: Moving From Climate Doomerism to Optimism Through Humor (published 1-28-2025). For years there has been talk about how "doomerism" is NOT the way to inspire climate action. Instead it brings a fatalistic approach and heavy duty "doom & gloom" is only exhausting versus inspirational. Remove all hope and people wonder--why try, we're going to hell in a hand basket anyway. Hope is what is necessary, and I've written about that a time or two: here, here, and here.

The premise of this Grist article agrees: 

“Learning through comedy is like the old saying: take a spoonful of sugar, and it makes the medicine go down. I think that is true,” [director Morgan] Sackett said.

We can all take a lesson from content creators on social media: humor can definitely bring both the clicks and awareness to all sorts of issues: social justice, climate & other environmental action, politics, and more. In fact, if you are really creative and met the December 2024 deadline, the Natural Resources Defense Council ran a $20,000 Climate Storytelling Fellowship grant. For the 4th year in a row, 3 winners (either individual or writing teams) will receive the grant for a screenplay or pilot that creates a storyline with an impactful them addressing climate change. You can find an interesting take on comedy and climate change in the Sundance panel discussion "The Last Laugh: Comedy in the Age of Climate Change.”

To bring some levity and hope to climate change and knowing that laughter is indeed the best medicine, these PSAs (public service announcements) and/or commercials made me smile:

Videos from https://youtu.be/T5Us69fSM9M?si=MUnuYxcZZvVyvQe-, https://youtu.be/Y-CAMC8saDc?si=uMlLg3EC6mx1Ur6u, https://youtu.be/-DEc16dEMns?si=_WrILi-IJlfYiIxP; Image created at canva.com

Presidential Medals of Freedom

On January 4th, 2025, President Biden presented the Presidential Medals of Freedom to 19 individuals in a public ceremony. This honor is the highest civilian honor that can be bestowed to people. In his stated remarks, he gave them out to individuals who are "great leaders [who] keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world."

Biden's recipients included scientists, environmentalists, entertainers, political leaders, philanthropic leaders, and humanitarians: 

Denzel Washington, known for his work in entertainment as an actor, director, and producer, for his 25+ year work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Dr. Jane Goodall for her work in conservation and environmental stewardship for over 60 years.

Hillary Clinton, former First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State, and first woman backed by a major political party to run for president for her many years of work in public service.

Bill Nye, known as "The Science Guy," for his work advocating science education, space exploration, and environmental activism.

Fashion designer Ralph Lauren for his philanthropic work including fighting cancer, environmentalism, and strengthening community through advocacy and access to resources.  

Bono, known for his musical career with the band U2, for his activism against AIDS and poverty.

Actor Michael J. Fox for his advocacy for Parkinson's disease research.

José Andrés for his work with Central Kitchen & humanitarian efforts to feed people during natural disasters and global conflicts such as the Ukraine War.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, known for his basketball talent with the LA Lakers, for his philanthropy for underserved communities through his Magic Johnson Foundation.

George Stevens Jr., known for his work writing and directing and for being the founder of American Film Institute and the Kennedy Center Honors. for his work preserving American cinema. 

Vogue's editor in chief for 3+ decades and co-chair of the Met Gala, Anna Wintour for her work in fundraising for AIDS & the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Global investment leader David Rubenstein for his philanthropic gifts toward  historic landmark restoration and many other institutions.

Holocaust-survivor, investor, and philanthropic leader George Soros for his human rights, education, and social justice projects which have impacted people in 120 countries. His award was accepted by his son Alex Soros.

Computer software programmer and entrepreneur Tim Gill for his LGBTQI activism and advocacy for equality. 

Senator Robert F. Kennedy (posthumously): Awarded for who work fighting racial segregation and poverty prior to his 1968 assassination. His award was accepted by daughter Kerry Kennedy.

George W. Romney (posthumously): Awarded for his work in public service as Governor of Michigan, Secretary of Housing & Urban Development and his work supporting civil rights. His award was accepted by his son Mitt Romney.

Professional soccer player Lionel Messi (who was absent due to scheduling conflicts) for his work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the Leo Messi Foundation, supporting children's healthcare and education programs.

Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumously): Founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, she was awarded for her work toward racial justice including her work with the 1964 Votings Right Act. Her award was accepted by her niece by marriage, Doris Hamer Richardson

Ashton B. Carter (posthumously): Awarded for national security and being the 25th Secretary of Defense, serving under 11 bipartisan Secretaries of Defense over his career and expanding the military rights for women and transgender service members. His award was accepted by his widow, Stephanie Carter.

The world needs changemakers who take the lead in service of others!

Images created in Canva.com using images from these websites: https://www.weforum.org/stories/authors/georgesoros/, https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/602689/ashton-b-carter/, https://mississippitoday.org/2025/01/04/fannie-lou-hamer-receives-presidential-medal-of-freedom/, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250104-messi-misses-presidential-medal-ceremony-with-biden, https://www.gmtoday.com/news/national/hillary-clinton-george-soros-and-denzel-washington-received-the-highest-us-civilian-honor/article_342a9720-cb64-11ef-a04d-dbb3e24c30be.html, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-presidential-medal-freedom-honorees-include-hillary-clinton/story?id=117325468, https://wwd.com/pop-culture/culture-news/gallery/presidential-medal-of-freedom-2025-photos-1236789059/us-politics-medal-biden/, https://people.com/2025-medal-of-freedom-honors-given-by-president-joe-biden-photos-8769298

Online Advent Calendars For This Season

Advent calendars are fun way to celebrate the season during the month of December. Here are two wonderful ones I ran across for 2024, both accessible by way of the wonderful world of Facebook.

#OneGreenThing Advent Game

Author Heather White (who has written Eco-Anxiety and One Green Thing) has created a digital daily advent calendar where she is posting new small, bite-sized eco-actions you can do every day. Posting daily to her Heather White, Author Facebook Page, you can find her daily inspirations. Given she's a week in already, some ideas include: using little libraries for your next read, going outside for a winter walk and connecting with nature, reducing your plastic footprint and more. Great daily doses of little things to make your day and help the planet!

The 25 Days of CANVAmas for Teachers

Created by Canva Education Creator LaNedra Johnson, this private Facebook group is an amazing collection of Canva creations. LaNedra Johnson has a public FB page, then she created the CANVAmas group for special for this advent season. Some special treats she has in there for teachers are a teacher planner page for 2025, lesson plan template, substitute teacher guid template, and more. Additionally she has another private group entitled "Canva Creators for Teachers" (with 40,000+ members). She's a great resource for teachers on how to maximize Canva creations for your classroom!

Title header created at Canva.com; Screenshot from https://www.facebook.com/heatherwhiteofficial and https://www.facebook.com/groups/1219727522639849

Earth Hour: March 27, 2021 @ 8:30-9:30 pm

A week from today, next Saturday, March 27th, is Earth Hour. This has been one of my go-to annual events. Since 2007, starting solo in Sydney, Australia, then going global, lights go out locally the last Saturday of March from 8:30-9:30 pm in your time zone. 

Like "the wave" this time-zone-centric "lights out" approach helps bring an awareness to climate change. 

As with just about everything else this last year has had to adapt and change in their approach. Gatherings couldn't happen last year for Earth Hour, so instead, it went online and you could go to a "candle'ed approach" to Earth Hour in your own homes.

This year too, innovation must prevail. Earth Hour 2021 inspires everyone to still click off your lights for that hour, but then also to go online and take action to spotlight our planet, making this year's Earth Hour their first "Virtual Spotlight." So just in the past the spotlight was on turning off the streets, building, landmarks, and more to draw attention to climate change, this year, that awareness will be highlighted online with a social media blitz. The goal, to flood the Internet with their Earth Hour video they'll be posting on all of their social media pages. Share it forward and spotlight the importance of Earth Hour and planet Earth by posting, re-tweeting, emailing, DM-ing, and more on all of your social media platforms. Their goal....to make it the most watched, most trending video of the day, passing the message far and wide.

Where will you find this Earth Hour Virtual Spotlight video?  

All of the following next Saturday, on March 27th:

• Earth Hour's website, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter pages.
• And here at Green Team Gazette and my Facebook & Twitter pages.

Images from https://www.earthhour.org/take-part and https://www.instagram.com/earthhourofficial/