NEXT IN THE FALL SPEAKER SERIES
New England, Home to One of the World’s Fastest Changing Climates
Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM
New England is warming faster than almost anywhere on Earth outside the Polar and Arctic regions. Professor Stephen Young shares his latest peer-reviewed research on rapidly rising temperatures and vanishing winter snow cover across our region. He’ll explain what these changes mean for local ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities, and what we can expect in the years ahead. A Q&A and discussion will follow the presentation.
Professor Young is a former chair of the Department of Geography and Sustainability at Salem State University, where he uses satellite imaging to study climate change and deforestation. He also bridges art and science through gallery exhibitions that bring geography and environmental science to the public.
Registration isn’t required, but it helps us plan.
From Research to the Classroom: UNH Students Build Local Climate Curriculum
Storm Surge recently partnered with the University of New Hampshire's Sustainability Dual-Major (SDM) Capstone program on an exciting curriculum development project. A team of four UNH students spent the spring 2026 semester developing a set of six interdisciplinary climate education modules tailored specifically to Newburyport and the surrounding coastal community.
Topics include sea level rise, clean water, coastal ecology, the history of climate change in Newburyport, and more. The modules are designed to slot seamlessly into existing high school curricula across multiple subject areas, minimizing the burden on teachers while maximizing student engagement with locally relevant climate issues. The team presented their work to Storm Surge's board and Newburyport community stakeholders in April, and the materials will serve as a foundation for future interns to pilot in area classrooms..
Second Graders Dive Into Climate Science with the SCiLL Mobile Lab
On April 9, 2025 second graders at Bresnahan Elementary had a blast exploring big climate ideas in hands-on ways, thanks to a visit from the Change is Simple SCiLL Mobile Lab. Students learned how carbon builds in our atmosphere and discovered simple steps we can take to care for the planet.
The program connected global climate concepts to local places — like Plum Island — helping students understand how our own community is impacted by rising seas and changing weather patterns. With interactive lessons both inside and outside the lab, the experience was fun, age-appropriate, and unforgettable.
“My students were incredibly engaged. It was hands-on, age-appropriate, and they really connected the impact of coastal erosion to our own community.”
— Katara Harding, 2nd Grade Teacher, Bresnahan Elementary
Read the Bresnahan School’s summary: https://secure.smore.com/n/a3quf-young-scientists-with-big-ideas
Watch the Storm Surge Interview on The Morning Show
Storm Surge board chair Kathleen Brittan and former chair Dr. Robert Young join host Mary Jacobsen on The Morning Show to discuss:
🌎 Climate Education in Schools – A new pilot program with Change is Simple brings hands-on learning to Newburyport students.
⚡ Inspiring Action – The challenges of mobilizing communities to address climate change.
💡 Hope for the Future – What keeps them motivated in the fight for climate resilience.
📺 Tune in: The Morning Show airs Thursday at 9 a.m. on Channel 9 and WJOP (FM 96.3).
Consider a donation to support our mission.
Storm Surge is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that runs with a small budget. While volunteers provide our manpower, we do still incur some operating expenses that we must cover with donations. If you’d like to help support our goal to raise awareness to climate change and local resiliency challenges, a your tax-deductible donation would be greatly appreciated!
Do you have an idea for a Speaker Series topic?
Send us a note at contact@storm-surge.org
Share your ideas!
Newburyport Climate Resiliency Projects - Interactive Map maintained by the Newburyport Resiliency Committee
Storm Surge would like to thank the following sponsors for their support!
New England Biolabs
New England Grass Roots Environmental Fund
Newburyport Savings Bank
Mass Cultural Council
Constellation Energy