Here’s one insidious myth about climate change: the idea that to care about the issue, one must be a green, granola-eating, Birkenstock-wearing liberal.

Global Weirding graphic

In an entertaining new Web series called “Global Weirding,” Katharine Hayhoe swiftly debunks that myth – by describing herself. Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist at Texas Tech University, says, “I do like the color green. And I’ve been known to eat granola. But I don’t own any Birkenstocks, and I’m not a Democrat … nor a Republican.”

Then, in one of the series’ early funny moments, Hayhoe reveals the truth: “I’m Canadian.” Cue to “O Canada,” the Canadian national anthem!

Hayhoe then adds that she’s a Christian, and she attends an evangelical church pastored by her husband.

If Hayhoe, a Christian Canadian who grew up believing science is the coolest thing ever, can care about climate change, so can all of us – no matter who we are, she argues. And in the “Global Weirding” series, she plans to dig into the questions that many have about the issue, like “How do we know it’s real?”, “How do we know it’s caused by people?”, “Will fixing climate hurt the economy?”, and “Why are religious leaders getting involved?”

Hayhoe is a gifted communicator, so the series will likely be valuable to educators, religious groups, and others who are looking for snappy and authoritative background on the subject.

“Global Weirding” series is produced by KTTZ Texas Tech Public Media and distributed by PBS Digital Studios, and plans are for it to air new episodes on YouTube every other Wednesday.

With permission from Hayhoe and her colleagues, Yale Climate Connections is reposting  those she has done so far and also her future episodes.

YouTube video

YouTube video

YouTube video

YouTube video

Sara Peach is the editor-in-chief of Yale Climate Connections. She is an environmental journalist whose work has appeared in National Geographic, Scientific American, Environmental Health News, Grist,...