Curious about climate change but turned off by the politics? “The C-Change Primer” presentation is non-partisan and provides an accessible overview of the science behind climate change and a clear-eyed assessment of the potential risks ahead. It answers the questions most Americans have about climate change, such as: How do we know climate change is real and is caused by humans? What is the scientific consensus? What are the dangers? Is there hope?
Biography
Kathleen Biggins founded C-Change Conversations to bring moderates and conservatives into the conversation about climate change. Kathleen is a Southerner who grew up in New Orleans and has a strong appreciation for the economic value of the coal, oil and gas industries. While attending a conference in Washington D.C., she was surprised to hear from a military general, business leaders, and renowned scientists that climate change was a real issue with far-ranging implications. Kathleen began to study the issue and recognized it was a complex one that was not being communicated well in the press or in her peer groups. When Hurricane Sandy devastated her hometown of Princeton N.J., she decided to take action.
Kathleen recognized that the issue was perceived as a "liberal" one, which prevented many of her colleagues, peers and loved ones from learning about it and understanding how it could impact them directly. She searched for a way to wake them up without turning them off.
She invited a group of like-minded citizens from across the political spectrum to join her in creating a speaker series that would showcase non-partisan experts whom moderates and conservatives would find credible. Experts have been chosen for their ability to explain how climate change will impact the economy and jobs, our physical health and well-being, and our geopolitical security. They included a former Republican governor, a rear admiral, major energy company CEOs, financial analysts, a climate expert from the reinsurance industry, and world-class scientists.
Seeking to deepen her community's understanding of the issue, Kathleen worked with climate and energy experts to develop a non-partisan, scientifically based presentation—the C-Change Primer—providing a 360° view of the issue's scientific, economic and policy ramifications. She presented it to her local community, who recommended the presentation to The Garden Club of America.
Since presenting the Primer at GCA’s national conferences, she has been invited to give the presentation to more than 6,000 people in 28 states, with more presentations planned in the coming year. The Primer has been heralded for its non-partisan and comprehensive approach and has been enthusiastically received by conservative audiences. Kathleen is now training others to present the Primer around the country, and the initial team of C-Change Conversations volunteers has grown from four to 14.
