Finding Hope in the Climate Crisis

CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENTBy Alyssa Veronica Chaves

When CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir visited Barry University in October 2024 during VoLo Foundation’s Florida Climate Week, he brought with him not just sobering truths about our planet, but also messages of resilience, imagination, and hope. Weir’s book, Life As We Know It (Can Be), is a heartfelt letter to his son, River. It blends personal stories of fatherhood with his experiences reporting from the frontlines of climate change: the glaciers of Alaska, the mangroves of the Everglades, and the floodplains of Venice. Each story reflects both the fragility of the Earth and the responsibility we share in protecting it for future generations. As a journalist, Weir has spent years documenting humanity’s impact on the planet, from hurricanes and wildfires to rising seas and disappearing coastlines. Yet rather than focusing solely on despair, he uses his platform to highlight innovative solutions and individuals who are rethinking how we live. From sustainable building pioneers to community artists raising awareness through public projects, Weir emphasizes that creative action can spark meaningful change. His mission is clear: to inspire people to reimagine what the future can look like if we act with courage and compassion. “This is no longer a story about the forces of nature, energy streams, or physics,” he writes. “It’s a human story that we will all live through, but have the power to write together.” At Barry, his visit was part of the university’s Earth Sustainability Initiative, made possible through the generosity of Dr. Sam Nappi ScD (h.c.) ’24 and Mrs. Carol Nappi. For thought leaders, alumni, and students, Weir’s message underscored the importance of mobilizing and shaping resilient, just, and sustainable communities. Life As We Know It (Can Be) is both a warning and an invitation. It asks us to confront the reality of climate change while reminding us that solutions are within reach if we choose to act.

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