(7/31) CLIMATE CHANGE IN AN AGING SOCIETY

CLIMATE CHANGE IN AN AGING SOCIETY

July 31, 2026

Editor: H.R. Moody

“I have no right to despair. I insist on hope.” -Howard Zinn

In This Issue:

• Giving and Taking

• That Sinking Feeling

• The Forest Is the Breath of Life

• Hope from the Amazon

• Trump Talk

• Clean Energy to the Rescue

• Is Drought Coming?

• Recommended Reading

• Three Steps Against Climate Change

• Items of Interest

• A Little Laughter

• Coming Events

An Indigenous Perspective

“Know the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them.

Introduce yourself.

Be accountable as the one who comes asking for life. Ask permission before taking.

Abide by the answer.

Never take the first. Never take the last. Take only what you need.

Take only that which is given.

Never take more than half. Leave some for others. Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.

Use it respectfully. Never waste what you have taken. Share.

Give thanks for what you have been given.

Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken.

Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever.”

-Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

New York’s Problem. “Subsidence threatens 34 million Americans–from Denver to DC” NYC is sinking and climate change is only making it worse

The weight from giant skyscrapers is magnifying the problem.

Many Cities Are Sinking. OK, you’re not living in New York. I lived there most of my life and our son lives there now. “28 big American cities are sinking”

Subsidence threatens 34 million Americans–from Denver to DC.

Image from: “Sacred forests: Where conservation meets the spiritual”

https://theclimatenews.co.uk/sacred-forests-where-conservation-meets-the-spiritual/

“We are facing a dystopian threat, but we are also gifted with the stunning opportunity to create transformational change. No human invention can surpass the natural power of photosynthesis. Nature is generously showing us how it works to help mitigate climate change by sequestering excess carbon dioxide and storing it in the ecosystems, including the soil, trees, and plants. This cycle of healing and recovery is constantly occurring. If we can avoid crossing tipping points, our ecosystems will still be resilient enough to recover and maintain their balance. If we take responsible steps, the solutions for mitigation and recovery are still with our reach.”

Concluding chapter, “Finding Our Way Forward,” to When the Forest Breathes: Renewal and Resilience in the Natural World, by Suzanne Simard (Knopf, 2026)

Dr. Suzanne Simard heads the Mother Tree Project and other efforts of regenerative forestry. Her TED talks have been viewed worldwide by more than 10 million people.

“In my dream there was a huge procession of shamans and chiefs from indigenous peoples of the Amazon in the rain forest. There was huge ceremony of mourning for all that had happened to themselves and their environment and then there was forgiveness. Then that space opened up and there streamed in all the climate youths, a lot of organizations and companies ready to regenerate the world, the forest, society, themselves. And there was a rippling of hope going from the Amazon rain forest over the planet. When I woke up, I said to myself, the forest has given me a job so I had better start getting to work. I realized later that while we’re in a complete and utter mess there’s still a lot of hope.”

This is not my dream. It’s a dream from Rob de Laet, a Dutch protector of the Amazon rainforest. He divides his time between the Netherlands and Brazil, where he lives in a valley in the rainforest and works closely with nonprofit climate advocacy groups in the USA.

Is Trump a Fascist? People answer that question in different ways. Looking at what ICE does makes it easy to answer. But what about corruption by special interests? Isn’t important that Trump took a billion dollars from fossil fuel interests when he ran for office in 2024? At our Fridays For Future group last Friday I first heard the phrase “Fossil Fuel Fascism.” I think I’ll continue to use it.

Don’t think it’s just Trump has minions who gain: others get paid, too: “Fossil fuel executives are cashing in” “Top U.S. oil and gas executives have sold hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of stock in their own companies since the Iran war triggered a supply crunch that sent energy prices soaring” (NY Times, July 28, 2026)

Trump Destroying Nature. “This desert oasis is a biological wonderland. Trump’s border wall threatens to destroy it”

Canada. Canada should be our closest ally. Why does Trump want to be at war with our northern neighbor? What is he up to? Is it part of the trade war he’s waging? “Why Trump Wants Smoke with Canada—but Not From It”

The wildfire haze that blanketed the U.S. last week gave the president a familiar target to punish—while ignoring the real problem.

Trump Is Working to Destroy Democracy. Democracy Dockets shows how:

The Democrats. “Which Way Should the Democratic Party Go Now?” It’s been a tumultuous primary season, but is this the Democrats’ Tea Party moment? Or is something more pragmatic emerging?

See also: “Majority of US voters link extreme weather to climate crisis, study finds” Top Democrat says findings show public ‘way ahead of the politicians’ as Trump dismisses global heating as ‘hoax.’

Stop Trump! He’s about to approve a new oil terminal. Send a message!

Clean Energy. “Clean energy helped the grid avoid heat-wave catastrophe”

Wind Power. “ ‘Remember that?’ Trump again asks Americans to recall something that never happened” Trump hates wind power. He says it caused our TV to fail. It never happened.

Politics and Clean Energy.

“Trump administration admits grants for clean energy were canceled based on politics”

Avoiding Trump’s Threats? “California dodges a bullet on Colorado River cuts” California and two other states have avoided the harshest water cutbacks the Trump administration could have imposed over the next two years to deal with the deepening crisis on the Colorado River. (It seems that) federal officials have agreed with an offer made earlier this year by California, Arizona and Nevada to reduce what they take from the river by at least 3.2 million acre-feet between now and the end of 2028.”

But not every place has been spared: “Cities conserve as Colorado River reservoir faces ‘dead pool’ crisis.”

Lake Mead, between California and Arizona (2022)

Editor’s Note: Drought is not a single event like fire or flood. But fire, flood, drought and heatwaves are the Four Horsemen of the Climate Apocalypse.

The heat is here, too: Heat Dome. “ ‘Extraordinarily hot’: US heatwave stretches on with millions still under warnings”

Southern and central states from California to Mississippi face heat indexes above 100F amid another heat dome

And don’t forget fire: “Some say the world will end in fire. Some say in ice. Robert Frost wrote that in 1920. With more than a century gone by, we have a verdict. It’s fire for the win.” (from Paul Krugman)

Wildfires in Europe. ”France and Spain race to contain huge wildfires before fresh heatwave begins”

It’s a hundred and twelve degrees (Fahrenheit) in Paris and Bordeaux is on fire: “French flee for their lives as ‘apocalyptic’ wildfires ravage homes”

Haven’t read about what causes it? There’s a reason you can’t: “Wildfires: why media coverage doesn’t always make the climate connection”

Fires: Better or Worse? “Wildfires are more extreme in Europe and North America, but global burning is oddly decreasing”

Surviving Climate Anxiety: A Guide to Coping, Healing, and Thriving,

by Thomas Doherty

Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home,

by Katharine Wilkinson

Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy, by Joanna Macy

Each week I go to a local meeting of Fridays For Future, the group founded by Greta Thunberg. Last week our chair said it all comes down to three things:

· Stop emissions

· Promote reflection of sunlight

· Make possible absorption of pollutants

Just three things: simple to say, harder to do.

Fridays For Future started in 2018 when Greta Thunberg was 15 years old. She’s older now and so am I, at age 81. Whether young or old, time is running out. More about Fridays For Future at: https://fridaysforfuture.org/what-we-do/who-we-are/

Just Tell the Truth? “Correcting climate ‘misperceptions’ may not boost climate action”

Wildfires in Europe. ”France and Spain race to contain huge wildfires before fresh heatwave begins”

Richard Heinberg. I knew Richard Heinberg both through personal contact and through his important writing. Richard was a genuine, and very great, Eco Elder:

“Devastating News: The Loss of Richard Heinberg”

Denis Hayes: Organizer of the First Earth Day. At age 81, he’s still got much to say.

Climate and Religion. “Climate Change, Science & the Bible” This event has just been made available:

How Do I Say This? Talking about climate requires careful thought: “It’s becoming increasingly clear that how we talk about climate change matters as much as the science or policy itself. The words we use carry weight, and climate communicator Susan Joy Hassol says specific word choices, like ‘heat-trapping pollution’ rather than ‘greenhouse gases,’ can cut through polarization and help messages resonate with a wider range of people.” (Climate One, July 24, 2026).

Billionaires. “Private jets caused 147 kilotons of carbon pollution at the World Cup” That’s more carbon pollution than driving 34,000 cars for a year. It’s no surprise that billionaires don’t give a hoot about their impact on climate pollution. But it’s still a shock to see the total impact from this one event. Billionaires can usually hide their planet-scorching habits. But their private-jet joyrides are harder to hide.

Action on Forgotten Climate Pollutants. “The forgotten 15% of global warming” Leading scientists call for action on an overlooked group of climate pollutants.

Good News on Solar Energy:

Does Hegseth really want the military to be monitored for testosterone?

Hegseth Freaks Out After Testing Positive for Estrogen

(From The Borowitz Report, not the news)

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly “exploded with rage” on Tuesday after a blood test he had required for all service members over 30 showed that he had “extremely high” levels of estrogen.

According to those familiar with the test results, Hegseth’s estrogen count would place him in the 99th percentile of all women.

Mascara streaking down his cheeks, Hegseth howled in protest, claiming that the blood test “reeked of DEI.”

“I wasn’t surprised by his reaction,” said the doctor who administered the test. “It’s that time of the month.”

MIDTERMS. “Focus for Democracy: Midterm Recommendations” (Aug. 4, 2026, 5 PM pt 05:00 PM). A webinar on where strategic investment can shape outcomes in the 2026 midterms. Sponsored by Focus on Democracy.

INTERNATIONAL: “International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses” (Aug. 4, 2026, Philadelphia, PA USA). Contact: info.jsarap@gmail.com

“GLOBAL SUMMIT on Renewable Energy, Climate Change and Global Warming” (Aug. 5, 2026, Toronto, Ontario, Canada).

SUSTAINABILITY. “International Conference on Sustainability, Climate Tech, and Green Innovation” (Aug. 7-8, 2026, Boston, MA). Contact: info@conferencefora.org

SUSTAINABILITY. “International Conference on Sustainability, Climate Tech, & Green Innovation” (Aug. 9-10, 2026, Chicago, Illinois)

Contact: info@conferencefora.org

BILL MCKIBBEN. “Monthly Dose of Climate Hope” (Aug. 12, 2026, 5 to 6 pm ET)

McKibben talks about collective power, grassroots movements, and how to beat big oil. Sponsored by Climate Action Now.

EMBRACING ELDERHOOD. “Embracing Elderhood on Behalf of All Life” (Sept-Oct., 2026) This is not a free offering. It’s an on-line offering on a sliding scale and it is offered by someone I know personally: Constance Washburn. It is guided by the “Work That Reconnects” and inspired by the late Joana Macy. More information at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxjYeOj09w77cqFy6DlJZi0OI6122s7Nz87liR5KgbYnvFFA/viewform

For more background on the Spiral Process behind this work.

More about Constance Washburn at: www.constancewashburn.com

Fielding Graduate University: Program on Creative Longevity and Wisdom

Center for Ecozoic Studies

Climate Action Now

Third Act Educators

Gray Is Green, the National Senior Conservation Corp

Climate Dialogue Group

Thanks for reading. If you found some of this helpful, please leave a comment below.

From Harry (Rick) Moody

For more about this book or other newsletters, contact H.R. Moody at hrmoody@yahoo.com