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Katharine Hayhoe has spent her career translating climate science into something far more powerful: connection. As a leading atmospheric scientist, author, and Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, she bridges the gap between data and dialogue, meeting people where they are, and moving conversations from gridlock to ground gain. In this interview, she shares why urgency doesn't cancel out optimism, how science is shifting the narrative and what truly motivates long-term climate action.

As one of the world’s foremost atmospheric scientists, Katharine Hayhoe masterfully transforms climate data into compelling human stories. A Distinguished Professor at Texas Tech University and Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, she has contributed to over 125 peer-reviewed studies and four U.S. National Climate Assessments, earning her a spot among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. But her true genius lies in bridging divides: between science and faith, urgency and optimism, and global crises and local action.

Hayhoe rejects doom-driven narratives, instead championing a “50/50” approach that pairs the risks of inaction with the tangible rewards of solutions—from cost-saving renewables to healthier communities. Her TED Talk, “The Most Important Thing You Can Do to Fight Climate Change: Talk About It,” has galvanized millions, while her Substack newsletter and books like Saving Us equip people to connect climate science to their values, whether through faith, family, or financial savings 35.

Awarded the UN Champion of the Earth and celebrated for her work with evangelicals, farmers, and corporate leaders, Hayhoe proves that progress thrives not in polarization but in shared purpose: protecting what we love.

In our latest ‘Nine Questions With’ series, Katharine shares the one scientific discovery that genuinely shifted her own optimism, how she shields herself (and others) from the psychological weight of climate doom and why love, not anger or fear, should be the driving force behind the climate movement. For business leaders stuck between sustainability goals and real-world inertia, this conversation is a powerful reminder: data is crucial, but it’s what we do with it and how we connect over it - that changes everything.

Team Reblue: You’ve often said climate change is a “human issue, not just a planetary one.” Was there a specific moment—a conversation, a community visit, or a project—that shifted your focus from pure atmospheric science to weaving social justice into your work? How did that redefine your purpose as a scientist and communicator?

Katharine Hayhoe: I actually became a climate scientist because I realized climate change wasn’t just an environmental issue—it was deeply human. My early academic focus was in astrophysics, studying how galaxies cluster around quasars. But toward the end of my undergrad, I needed a breadth requirement and took a climate change class in the geography department, mostly out of curiosity. That class completely changed how I saw the world. I had always thought of climate issues like deforestation or air pollution as things environmentalists cared about for the planet. But I learned climate change touches nearly every aspect of human life—our food, water, homes, health, the economy—and disproportionately harms those who did the least to cause it. That injustice struck me. I realized I had the right tools from my physics and astronomy background to pivot into atmospheric science, but more importantly, I had a reason to—because this wasn’t just science, it was justice. That motivation has guided me ever since.

"The reason so many people today are fighting for a better future isn't fear—it's love. Love for the next generation. Love for this planet. And if there's one big shift I'd hope to see, it's that: letting love, not fear or anger, become the driving force behind our actions."

Team Reblue: In your book, Saving Us, you share how personal narratives bridge divides. Which story from your work (like collaborating with faith groups or advising Netflix on sustainability) surprised even you with its power to turn skeptics into allies? What made it so transformative?

Katharine Hayhoe: One of the most profound turning points for me was after I moved to Texas and started getting invited to speak with local community groups. People were curious, kind of like a polar bear had shown up—fascinated but skeptical. I would give talks to book clubs, senior centers, women’s groups, and while people listened, I could tell they still felt distant. They’d say things like, “You care because you're a scientist—but I’m not.” Then I got invited to a Baptist church—not on a Sunday, and not even in the sanctuary, just a classroom on a Wednesday night. They didn’t know I was a Christian, or that my concern for climate change is deeply rooted in my faith. That night, I decided to do something I’d never done before: instead of starting with data, I started with why I care—using Bible verses to explain that my faith calls me to care for others and the world we share. I was nervous—it felt vulnerable, and I wasn’t sure how they'd respond. But I saw the room change. Their body language softened, their questions deepened. They saw me not just as a scientist, but as someone who shared their values. That moment showed me the power of starting with connection—showing people they already have the values they need to care about climate change.

"We forget that nature doesn't need us. We need nature. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat—everything comes from it."

Team Reblue: You’ve partnered with evangelicals, policymakers, and even tech companies. What’s one partnership that initially seemed unconventional but ended up unlocking unexpected progress? How do you find common ground with groups who might distrust “climate science” as a label?

Katharine Hayhoe: Oh, that's a great question. One of the most unexpected and enriching experiences I’ve had is partnering with young climate activists. I’ve always tried to support them—sharing scientific knowledge, answering questions, being a resource—but what I didn’t anticipate was how much I’d learn from them. People like Xiye Bastida are not only eloquent and informed, they have a remarkable ability to speak directly to people’s hearts. Xiye, whose heritage ties her to Indigenous traditions in Mexico and activism from Argentina, brings such a powerful, emotionally resonant way of communicating that it often stops me in my tracks. I’ve been doing science communication for years, and while I still admire many communicators, I don’t often hear something I’ve never heard before—until I talk with people like her. The way she frames issues helps me see the same facts through a new emotional and cultural lens. It reminded me that effective communication isn’t just about what we know; it’s about how we connect—and sometimes, that connection comes more from empathy and lived experience than from expertise.

"When people feel like what they do matters, they're more likely to act. That's not false hope—it's grounded, evidence-based motivation."

Team Reblue: As an advisor to Citizen’s Climate Lobby and youth activists, what’s a local effort you’ve seen that scaled into national policy? What’s the secret to turning community action into systemic change—and how do we replicate that?

Katharine Hayhoe: A perfect example comes from Canada. British Columbia was the first province to implement a carbon price—over 15 years ago—and they used the revenue to lower personal and corporate income taxes. It worked so well that even Alberta, Canada’s oil and gas hub—think Texas—adopted it. Eventually, Ontario and Quebec followed, and in 2019, it became national policy. Local success laid the foundation for national adoption. The same applies to vehicle emissions standards in the U.S.—they typically start in California and go federal a decade later. Why? Because most elected officials—99.9%—aren’t at the national level. They’re local, and they rarely hear from constituents about climate, even though Yale research shows they vastly underestimate how much people care. So when people show up at town halls or talk to state reps, their voices can genuinely shape policy. Systemic change often starts in someone’s backyard.

"Our economic system treats the planet like it's flat and limitless. It's not. It's finite. And it's time our policies caught up with that reality."

Team Reblue: With technology advancing rapidly, how do you envision leveraging artificial intelligence to support sustainability efforts? Are there particular projects or initiatives that excite you in this area?

Katharine Hayhoe: I’ve used machine learning in my research for years, and now with generative AI, we’re just expanding the toolbox. But here’s the key: AI isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s a tool. Like a calculator, it depends entirely on how we use it. At The Nature Conservancy, where I work, we operate in 80 countries with thousands of scientists speaking dozens of languages. We’ve started training AI models on curated internal knowledge—reports, case studies, data—so that anyone, say a project lead in Kenya, can ask, in Swahili, “What’s worked in soil conservation in dry regions?” and get context-specific answers—plus contact names for follow-up. That’s huge. We’ve also used AI with Microsoft to analyze satellite imagery in India and found that 75% of solar farms were being built on prime agricultural land—data that would’ve taken humans years to gather. So yes, AI can be transformative, but only if we use it to support human insight—not replace it.

"If we reach net zero, global temperatures will stabilize within a few years. That's extraordinary news. It means our actions now don't just help future generations—they help us."

Team Reblue: Having shaped U.S. National Climate Assessments, what’s one policy gap you wish leaders would prioritize tomorrow—not in 2030—and why? Is it carbon pricing, adaptation funding, or something less obvious?

Katharine Hayhoe: Honestly, I wish more people understood that every decision is a climate decision. Whether you’re building a road, buying a car, or allocating your retirement savings—each one affects the climate, or is affected by it. Most people don’t realize that leaving $1,000 in a fossil-fuel-investing bank can have the same emissions impact as a cross-country flight every year. And if we choose not to talk about climate change, we’re signaling—without saying it—that it doesn’t matter. If I could change one thing, it would be this behavioral mindset: to recognize that climate change touches every aspect of our lives. But if we’re talking policy, then yes—a price on carbon, or any mechanism that finally internalizes the real costs of pollution. Our economic system treats the planet like it’s flat and limitless. It’s not. It’s finite. And it’s time our policies caught up with that reality.

"Most people don't realize that leaving $1,000 in a fossil-fuel-investing bank can have the same emissions impact as a cross-country flight every year."

Team Reblue: You’re known for balancing hard truths with hope. What’s a recent scientific finding or grassroots victory that’s reignited your optimism? How do you translate that into messaging without downplaying urgency?

Katharine Hayhoe: Well, so, in terms of scientific findings, there's not a lot of good news. For years, we believed that even if we reached net zero emissions—when our carbon output equals what nature can absorb—the planet would still keep warming for decades. That was discouraging. It felt like running a marathon only to find out there’s another hidden one after the finish line. But just recently, new research turned that on its head: if we reach net zero, global temperatures will stabilize within a few years. That’s extraordinary news. It means our actions now don’t just help future generations—they help us. We’ll see the difference in our lifetimes. It doesn’t make the crisis less urgent; it makes our power to change things more immediate and real. When people feel like what they do matters, they’re more likely to act. That’s not false hope—it’s grounded, evidence-based motivation.

"Every decision is a climate decision. Whether you're building a road, buying a car, or allocating your retirement savings—each one affects the climate, or is affected by it."

Team Reblue: For someone overwhelmed by doom-scrolling, what’s your go-to strategy to help them move from anxiety to action? (Bonus: How do you recharge your own hope reserves?)

Katharine Hayhoe: I think many, many, many people feel like you do. And I do, too. So, doom-scrolling is not good for us because it doesn't help us. Doom-scrolling tricks us into thinking we’re staying informed, but often it just leaves us paralyzed. I’ve learned to curate my feed deliberately: I unfollow or mute accounts that amplify fear without solutions, and I actively follow ones that highlight climate progress—new policies, community wins, or clean energy breakthroughs. I even pin feeds with knitting, bread, and cats at the top—little things that bring joy. My weekly newsletter is my own hope practice: I share one piece of good news, one challenge we still face, and one action people can take. It helps me, and I’ve heard from readers that it helps them too. One even said it’s the only climate newsletter that doesn’t give them a pit in their stomach. Hope is a muscle—and sharing it helps keep it strong.

"At The Nature Conservancy... we've used AI with Microsoft to analyze satellite imagery in India and found that 75% of solar farms were being built on prime agricultural land—data that would've taken humans years to gather."

Team Reblue: If you could fast-forward 100 years, what’s the one shift in how humanity views climate change that you’d want your work to inspire? And what’s the phrase you hope future generations associate with your name?

Katharine Hayhoe: I love this question. I really do. So often, so much of the public conversation today is wrapped in fear—and the anger that fear brings. It focuses on what divides us, rather than what connects us. And then there's this underlying assumption that we live on some infinite, flat world, instead of a finite, round planet we share with 8 billion other people—and all the rest of nature too. We forget that nature doesn’t need us. We need nature. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat—everything comes from it. So if I could fast-forward 100 years, I’d want to inspire a deep love—for each other and for the natural world that surrounds us. A recognition that our lives depend on nature, and our well-being depends on the well-being of others—and theirs depends on us too. Instead of striving to be these strong, independent individuals who don’t need anyone or anything, I hope we recognize how connected we are, and how much we truly rely on one another. Because at the end of the day, the reason so many people today are fighting for a better future isn’t fear—it’s love. Love for the next generation. Love for this planet. And if there's one big shift I’d hope to see, it's that: letting love, not fear or anger, become the driving force behind our actions.

Photo courtesy of Katharine Hayhoe