Natalia Naman Temesgen: What a melted wreath says about climate change

I’ve heard of Christmas in July, but how are you enjoying July in Christmas? It’s been flip-flops weather lately and while I appreciate getting my summer tan back, I’m also disturbed. Weather.com just told me that the current 76 degrees outside is only 4 degrees below the record high of 80. And that high was recorded in 2005. So, that’s not sounding too normal.

My birthday's this week. I used to lament the fact that I could never have a pool party for my birthday, but I'm wondering if my luck is changing. This heat is throwing all of my plans for a loop.

For example, last weekend I made an adorable wreath out of Starlight peppermints and Red Hot candies. I found the instructions in the latest issue of Family Circle. I put my wreath out on the front door and by the time I got home from work the next day, there was a pool of pink candy glob on my doorstep.

Those starry red and white lines on each peppermint were streaked and dripping downward, like they'd been crying red tears all over their white faces. Family Circle did not advise that a candy wreath should stay out of direct sunlight, especially when temperatures are in the high 70s. For that fact, I was angrier with Family Circle than anyone. Then I got angry with myself. Why didn't I think about the fact that candy wreaths can melt? Duh. But then I went past angry to mind-blown: Why should I ever be thinking about candy wreaths melting in December this far north of the Equator? The whole thing was a little silly. But also a bit of a wakeup call.

I have a lot of questions about climate change, but I've historically been too afraid or apathetic to seek out answers. I don't think I'm alone in that demographic. Apparently, neither does Washington.

Wednesday, The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced an upcoming initiative to educate students, teachers, and the general public about climate change. Teachers and students will be equipped with digital games to learn about the science behind climate change. National parks, museums, aquariums and zoos will integrate exhibits that focus on climate change. And climate science fellowships will be granted to 150,000 high school students via the Alliance for Climate Education.

In other words, the Obama administration is hoping to equip our country's students with the environmental science education that their parents and grandparents generally lack. Maybe when they get homework help from mom or dad, the information will make its way through the family network and get us all more educated and engaged on this issue. I know I could use the help.

As for this prolonged streak of summer, my daughter and I are probably running around the playground without jackets again. We'll happily ride it out while it lasts. Though, I fear that attitude is just too naïve for the big picture.

Natalia Naman Temesgen is an independent correspondent. Contact her at nataliadian1@gmail.com or on Twitter@cafeaulazy.

This story was originally published December 6, 2014 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Natalia Naman Temesgen: What a melted wreath says about climate change."