Photo by Markus Spiske

Written by Jackson Bird

This week we’re only minorly freaking out about the climate crisis, but mostly we’re focusing on how we can work together to make change while we still can.

What we’re checking out…

Fall is officially here and that means cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and… unprecedented jet stream heat waves that cause existential crises about the fate of seasonal weather and the continuation of our world as we know it?

Bill McKibben wrote a fascinating speculative fiction piece for TIME exploring what the world would be like in 2050 if we started acting now on the climate crisis.

And if you’re feeling inspired after reading that, Kelsey Miller outlined all the ways you can take action as an individual, as a community, and on a policy level.

From countdown clocks to ice statues and whispers about the Nobel Peace Prize, Greta Thunberg is everywhere doing her best to make grown-ups take the climate crisis seriously.

Unfortunately, many of those in the highest positions of power can’t get past how mad they are at the existence of a smart young woman telling them facts they don’t want to believe. ABC News Australia stepped in with a searingly funny Greta Thunberg Helpline video.

And if you’re in a satirical mood this Friday afternoon, here’s another one for you: a diversity and inclusion statement for a “predominantly white, elitist and ableist liberal arts institution located on stolen Native American land in a small but beautiful rural area in Wokeland, N.Y.”

Though we low-key agree with Kenan Thompson’s character on a sketch from last week’s Saturday Night Live, that no matter what President Trump does “ain’t nothing gonna happen,” we still can’t help following the impeachment news. If you want to keep up with what’s happening in a clear, succinct and up-to-the-minute way, we recommend Dan Sinker’s new impeachment.fyi site and newsletter.

Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or not, it’s always good to refresh your digital presence every now and then. Fortunately, our friends at 99U recently put together a detailed guide on creating a more effective speaking page.

And finally, to return to our climate crisis theme, our reFRESHing Talk of the Week comes from Luisa Neubauer, a peer of Greta Thunberg who founded “Fridays For Future.”

The latest from our speakers…

Nilofer Merchant has been named one of HR Magazine’s Most Influential Thinkers!

Samhita Mukhopadhyay will be receiving a Women’s Media Center Progressive Women’s Voices IMPACT Award at this year’s Women Media Awards!

Minda Dentler appeared on PBS NewsHour’s Brief But Spectacular to tell her story of growing up and eventually competing in the Iron Man Triathalon.

Jamil Smith wrote for Rolling Stone about the vital reasons democrats need to move forward with impeachment.

Simran Jeet Singh appeared on the PreachPod podcast to talk about growing up Sikh in Texas.

The latest episode of Death, Sex, and Money by Anna Sale speaks to a student loan expert about all the things most of us wish we knew.

Jackson Bird’s debut book, Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place, was released last week. You can read an excerpt in The Advocate.

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