Hunter Cutting

When I moved out of my house because of getting divorced, I asked Janet and Hunter to hold on to a wooden gliding bench that my parents had given me, until I was able to buy a new place that had room for it. The bench was beautiful, but had unfortunately been painted; I loved it, though, and still wanted to keep it. After I moved into my condo, Hunter and Dane not only brought the bench over and maneuvered it up to my second story spot, but surprised me by having completely refinished it, stripping off the old paint and sanding it. This was a huge job because of all the moving parts and the slats, was such a kind gift, and perfectly epitomizes Hunter’s big heart. This was also the first time that Dave, my husband, met Hunter. At that time Dave and I had just started seeing each other and he hadn’t yet met any of my friends. Hunter, with his friendly way and obvious generosity, made a big impression (and Dane too!).

Hunter was my trusted buddy in all things climate science related. We both worked in the science-policy interface, reading through thick and complex climate science reports as reviewers and communicators, and Hunter would always be my first go-to peer when I needed someone to compare notes with, or have an honest conversation with. Hunter was an incredibly smart, kind and fun person. Exchanging ideas with him would always clear my head and warm my heart. He made it to the very top in the world of climate science communication. Yet, it was never about him and his skills. It was about enabling and empowering others. Hunter was great at lifting people up, acknowledging their efforts and helping them grow. I miss him dearly, and will forever remember his smile and laughter. When ever I'll digest another climate science report, or prep for a press conference, he'll be there, in my heart, trusting me and giving me strength. Thank you for everything Hunter. Sending my deepest sympathy to Hunter's family and friends.

I didn't know Hunter long, but it didn't take long into my tenure at Climate Nexus to realize how special of a person he was. He was always encouraging and had a way of making me feel like my opinion was valuable, even when I didn't have much to add to the conversation. One of the most moving moments for me - and one I'll remember for the rest of my life - was when my dad was about to lose his battle with cancer. Hunter gave me encouragement and strength as he told me that my dad would be proud of me, and that he will live on forever through me. Hunter did this, all while he was dealing with his own medical issues. This is a testament to the selflessness of Hunter. May his memory live on through all of us. He will be missed.

I had the pleasure of working closely with Hunter at Climate Nexus for 9 years. While I recall first being intimidated by his direct questions and ability to cut right to the heart of an issue, I grew to respect it as one of his most admirable traits. Hunter's knowledge of climate issues -- from a technical, political, and social perspective -- surpassed almost anyone I've ever worked with in the field over my 20 year career. He was constantly leveling up his own knowledge and exploring issues from new angles, and deserves credit for a huge swath of Climate Nexus' success across issues like international climate negotiations, extreme weather, and clean energy. His savvy on strategic communications and contributions across those topic areas and many more undoubtedly moved the needle on climate action as a whole, and his passing is not just a huge personal loss, but also a tremendous loss for the climate field. Hunter became a good friend in our time working together, and I will miss terribly his 9 PM phone calls to check in or workshop an issue together, his kindness, and his passion for the work.

I wrote this email to the "Hothouse" list serve, a list full of climate communicators and activist that Hunter and I have both been on for many years, after I heard the news about Hunter: Ever since I heard, I've been scrolling through photos remembering all of the many facets of my fabulous friend, Hunter. I can say with total confidence that Hunter is the reason I am doing the work I do today, not least because he literally sent me the job description for the job I’ve had the last few years but also because my very first “climate communications” project in my climate career was working with Hunter in 2006/7 to support comms around the IPCC AR4 rollout. In the many years that followed, we worked side by side at the COPs to coordinate CAN’s communications, drank beers and played pool at divey bars around the world (Berlin, SF, Bangkok and on and on), sailed on his boat in the Bay, danced together at my wedding (he was the talk of all the old ladies at my wedding* with his smooth dance moves, no joke), and more recently stayed up terribly late into the evening one night at my home in Portland reminiscing on life and pondering love after he shared with me news of his diagnosis. It was a night I will cherish forever. Many of you will know Hunter from his emails to this list helping to explain climate science in simple language. He essentially did the IPCC's comms job for them when they didn't have their own capacity and helped put the IPCC on the map. Now that I think about it, Hunter may not have gotten a piece of the Nobel Prize that the IPCC was awarded (alongside Al Gore) because he wasn't technically a part of that institution...but he sure deserved it given the role he played in putting that report on the map. He was basically one of the best at that tricky job, and he taught us all so much. When I asked Hunter after his diagnosis what he needed, he just said “let me know you love me sometimes." My last several texts with him are just me reaching out randomly telling him I was thinking of him and that I loved him. It's a lesson I'm going to take forward -- sometimes, just a little note can mean the world to the people you care about. Hunter was, truly, one of the best friends a person could ever ask for, and a colleague who I deeply enjoyed working with and respected. Sending hugs to everyone on this list touched by Hunter’s kindness and important work. May his memory be a blessing. -David *He also, if I'm being honest, may have played a role in me actually marrying my wife -- no more than two months into dating her, Hunter sent me a text after I introduced her to him that said, "Dude, you're gonna to marry that woman. Just sayin' - if only so I can be the first to say it." He knew it before I had even realized it and helped me see what was right in front of me -- and of course he wasn't wrong.

Just a couple months after I started officially dating Liz, I introduced her to Hunter at a bar in SF for the first time. We had a fun time I'm sure, but the thing I will never forget is minutes after Hunter left the bar he sent me a text which said: "Dude, you're gonna marry that woman. Just sayin' - if only so I can be the first to say it." He knew it before I had even realized it and helped me see what was right in front of me -- and of course he wasn't wrong.

Hunter, Karim Harris (CAN Europe), and I were a nearly inseparable trio during the climate talks in Bali in 2007. The three of us made up "CAN Comms" -- the group doing our best to coordinate the network's messaging and communications strategy at the climate talks. And in Bali...it worked! We worked with the network to develop a comms strategy targeting Japan, Australia and Canada who were helping the US (under Bush at the time) to stall the negotiations. We thought that if we peeled these three countries off supporting the US's stalling tactics, we could isolate the US and get them to back down. At the end of a grueling two weeks (plus a day of 'overtime') the strategy paid off. The US was isolated, and eventually after a call back to the White House, the acquiesced. And CAN was ready. Thanks to Hunter's work with Karim and I, we had talking points ready, we had speakers lined up, and we sprung into action spinning the outcome to be sure the story got out. I'll never forget those hectic days and hours before and after the US backed down -- working shoulder to shoulder with Hunter to corral an unruly network to sing from the same song sheet. I learned so many lessons in Bali from and with Hunter by my side. And, of course, we had some fun too.

I can say with total confidence that Hunter is the reason I am doing the work I do today, not least because he literally sent me the job description for the job I’ve had the last few years but also because my very first “climate communications” project in my climate career was working with Hunter in 2006/7 to support comms around the IPCC AR4 rollout. I'll never forget meeting Hunter as he walked into the tiny USCAN office on 14th Street in DC. Here was this California guy with sweeping hair and lots of thoughts on how to communicate climate science. Little did I know that first meeting would lead to 18 years of partnership and friendship.

I was on Hunter’s team at Climate Nexus. It was my first 9-5 and my first time using my environmental studies degree for a job. Hunter spent a lot of time giving me background info on climate science issues and let me try my hand at a bunch of different types of projects to see what fit my skill set. The more time goes by, the more I understand how kind and unusual that was! Plus, it was clear he was a well-rounded person outside of work - family, outdoors, sense of humor, and diverse interests. I know his contributions to the climate movement will be missed and I’m so sorry for your loss.

Hunter and I met back when we were students at UC Berkeley in the early 1980s and shared a social circle of troublemakers and changemakers ever since. Hunter was usually the smartest and most strategic person in the room, but he never lorded that over others. When I made the transition from working on public health and started working on climate he was incredibly helpful and encouraging. Later on his older son Cazzie was the only babysitter my two sons would accept and, with Hunter's encouragement, my older son followed his two kids' footsteps by attending Mission High. Hunter did so much incredibly important climate work behind the scenes -- graciously and humbly and with his eyes always on the prize. And he loved San Francisco with all of its warts and never became cynical or disengaged. I will miss our lunches and occasional sailing adventures on the bay, his wry sense of humor, obvious love for his family, and his incredibly generous, gentle way of being in the world.

Hunter Cutting was a true pioneer in media advocacy for social justice. When I first encountered Hunter's organization We Interrupt This Message I was in college, regularly joining protests against police violence and mass incarceration. I started attending organizing meetings to support a campaign in San Francisco to hold a police officer accountable who killed a San Franciscan named Aaron Williams in 1995. I remember one of my first meetings listening to Hunter, and Kim Deterline, explain the campaign's media strategy to the group of activists assembled. They taught us about how Aaron had been portrayed in the media (as a person committing crime as opposed to as a family member) and how they reframed that. And they talked about how typical activist messages were not very effective at changing media coverage. I remember him describing how important it is for activists to think like the media, and like people who consume media. To be effective, you have to be concrete, compelling and personal. The classic "our justice system is out of control!" slogans do not tell anyone anything. You cannot win over everyday people or bring in new allies with that kind of messaging. It was a huge "aha" moment for me. That one training completely changed how I looked at, and approached, activism from that day forward. I know there are so many people who would say the same thing about Hunter and We Interrupt. They were behind the scenes but they shaped an entire generation of activists and made us all better communicators for it. When we think about how impactful the national movement for criminal justice reform has been in the last 25 years, we have to remember where those effective messages and messaging tactics began. Hunter, Kim and We Interrupt are top of my list. Thank you, Hunter. Your influence carries on!

Here's a photo of Hunter sailing on Lake Leman near Geneva with UN Foundation colleague Monica Dean, after the approval of the IPCC special report on climate change and land in summer 2019. And one of him in the WMO building in Geneva where the approval session took place.

I first met Hunter when I was working at the Applied Research Center, and he and Kim were doing comms work for ARC as they launched We Interrupt This Message. I wrote a report that got a lot of media attention, and although Hunter had done his best to train me, I was terrible at media interviews. Hunter was straight with me about it, but he was also so kind and funny that I was able to let most of the humiliation go and learned a lot. One of the interviewers mispronounced my name as Phyllid-DEE-a Burlingame, which Hunter decided was some sort of aristocratic “Phyllidee of Burlingame,” and every time I saw him in later years he would call me that with a big laugh. He was so smart and generous and full of life. I didn’t see him often recently, but when I did it was a joy. Sending love and condolences to you all.

Hunter is the kind of person who'll never really be gone, because so much of what he gave us just lives on. But I already miss him terribly, more than some other people who were much closer. He was such a reliable and brilliant contributor, and that source of sound advice is silent now. I know the moment will come when I'll switch on Radio Rescue, trying to tune into Hunter FM for words of wisdom, and will be disappointed to only hear the static, because he's now broadcasting on another wavelength. Once he said to me something along the lines of "There'll always be another Hunter Cutting" - referring to a line of namesakes that apparently stretches many generations. Was he the seventh? I can't remember. In any case, it's an impressive tradition, and I'm glad he was able to continue it. This fabulous edition in the series, however, is definitely one that's leaving a large gap behind, surely making all those before him proud, and hopefully inspiring every future Hunter Cutting to be great and special! He was the central figure and experienced pro in climate comms when I joined the scene as a junior comms guy working for WWF in the years prior to COP15 in Copenhagen. I learnt a lot from Hunter, as a comms specialist, as facilitator of people, and as a human being. He taught me the basics, and had an amazing talent to keep things simple, and to stay focused on what's essential. Many have benefited from his guidance and advice, the spokes people in the CAN space, and us comms people supporting them. He helped us be better together. For me he was a mentor and friend during those years. He was also an interesting figure, maybe a dude, as some say. At the daily CAN Comms meeting at a COP he'd stand out in his formal black suit. Then he'd show up at the NGO strategy meeting on the weekend in hoodie and sneakers from a trendy Mission shop, almost a bit too cool for his age. Similar to the range of outfits he would usually put a range of personalities on display, from the pretty serious and ultra-competent expert who'd deliver razor sharp analysis of complex science to the warm, lovely, funny, generous and open-minded guy you could talk to about love, life, kids etc. We spent many IPCC and UNFCCC meetings together, and when in need of good company he'd always be one of the people I'd look for. When all the important work was done (which of course was never really done), having Hunter with his healthy love for life around was uplifting and infectious. Since he's passed away, many people have shared beautiful memories of such moments. I recall a nice May or June evening in the Rheinaue in Bonn during one of those UNFCCC intersessionals, many of us gathered at a beer garden, a traditional German humpa band playing old-fashioned tunes, and Hunter dancing the night away with a smile in his face as if there was not the tiniest space in his head or in his heart for the worries of the world. Some people - who all dearly love or at least greatly respect him - say they've also had difficult moments with Hunter. I've never experienced that myself, but I think I can see a few reasons for him and others in our community now and then butting heads. We're all people who care a lot about what we do, who are committed and persistent, often ready to go the extra mile for the cause, and sometimes headstrong and stubborn about what's right or wrong. Passionate, to sum it up, like Hunter I think. I've experienced him as a curious person, curious in people, new tricks, complex issues, good solutions, alternative ways. And sometimes I think he found something he got excited about, and passionate. I remember him talking about sailing with great passion. Then there was the time when he became an actual hunter. But also at work there would always be this passion, about a new discovery in the science, or about useful frame that would improve our comms, or about a whole new approach that would help us change the debate to beat the bad guys. Some of that was groundbreaking and foundational for crucial work being done today, partly by teams I manage now at GSCC. Not possible without Hunter's pioneering work, and I'm glad he was passionate about it, and sometimes fought for it. I remember an IPCC meeting in Stockholm when these passions were competing for time and almost undermined each other. During the day, he'd be immersed in the science and the negotiations between governments over how to summarize key scientific findings for decision makers trying to save the planet, or at least not wreck it. But Hunter was a bit sleepy, because at night at the hotel he'd watch the America's Cup for hours and hours, and then tell us all about it over breakfast, with that characteristic fascination for details and a desire get to the bottom of things and fully grasp them. That passion, in other words, that made him so good at whatever he chose to focus on. I'll remember Hunter as a person with a smile in his face. How much had I been looking forward to him joining our team at GSCC. A huge shame of course that Climate Nexus closed down, this important organisation he invested so much in to help shape it! But the prospect of us getting sort of reunited as colleagues made me happy. We messaged about this a few times, also just a couple of days before he passed away. I wished him a swift recovery, and he told me I have a place in his heart. It made me so sad to learn that it had stopped beating soon after. He'll always have a place in mine. May our good friend's soul rest in peace!!

I said to Hunter “If LaMon and I get married in New Orleans will you come? I know it’s far and kind of expensive.” He said “Kimberly if you got married at the North Pole I would come.” That’s the kind of friend Hunter was.

Hunter and I had started a non-profit together called We Interrupt This Message. We were working round the clock having only received one small $10,000 grant. We had just gotten a second $50,000 (I think due to Gary Delgado’s recommendation to a finder) after months of working for almost nothing. We were working away when I looked at him and he grinned and we said “Oh my God, this is going to work!!” We realized we had enough money to hire Xochitl Brevera full time. Then we went out for oysters and a bottle of wine to celebrate.

Although I knew Hunter in college, it was when we both moved to DC within weeks of each other that we became best friends. We would wander all day on weekends. From going to Manning Maribor lectures at Howard University, to wandering through alternative art spaces, to playing pool at the local dive bar that had dollar beers and popcorn and played Star Trek on Sunday nights, to going to as many hip hop and go-go clubs we could find, Hunter was the easiest, most fun companion imaginable.

Hunter lived around the corner from me in Oak Park when I was 4 or 5 years old. He made a deep impression even at that age, because when I ran into him many years later in San Francisco I remembered him. May his memory be a blessing.

I had a housemate from college very sick with AIDS in CA. Hunter and I lived in DC. He gave me a present of some money from his small inheritance from his mom so that I could go spend the last two months of Chris’ life with him.

Hunter came by my house in his grandmothers old dodge dart and yelled out the window “KIMBERLY you have to hear this song!” I jumped in the car and he blasted a new song by NWA - “F*** the Police” We bombed all around DC blaring the song over and over, laughing maniacally.

Hunter was the very first employee I met in person at Climate Nexus. I had only been with the organization about three weeks when I scheduled an introductory meeting with him. After that discussion, we agreed to meetup somewhere casual that was in the city as we both live in the Bay Area. A planned one hour meetup extended to three hours that flew by. In that time, I pretty quickly assessed that I was dealing with a unique human being. The initial intro meeting definitely showed Hunter to be an exceptional strategist and communications expert with extensive experience in climate change, an area that was new to me. But the meetup..that was something special. We started by me getting more understanding of his experience and background but the conversation quickly evolved to him offering up quips and humor that just cracked me up. So as we flip-flopped back and forth discussing organization challenges and opportunities to improve and then talking about life and personal interests, I began to see the person. I understood why he was so exceptional as both a professional and human. He cared…about humanity. After all the years of experience and his time at Climate Nexus, he clearly never lost sight of the human element (employees and partners) and I began to understand that he weaved this into not only how he lived, but how he worked. While my background has been primarily for profit technology companies and marketing/advertising agencies, I have worked for decades with some of the best strategists ever. In those three hours (plus the 45 minutes in the introductory meeting), Hunter, to me, ranked in the top three. And it’s because of the humanity element. He was uniquely brilliant yet, at the risk of being repetitive, human. I only knew him for just under six months…but I will never forget him. His kindness, thoughtfulness, smartness and ever lasting human-ness will stay will me always. Unfortunately, it was determined that the organization had to be closed down. Even as we he was battling his illness, Hunter reached out to provide words of support and understanding the difficulty in having to make such an impactful and painful decision. Humanity. The man was one of a kind. I’m so glad I was blessed to cross paths with him. Rest-in-Heaven Hunter. You will be missed tremendously.

(you can publish any or all of this as you see fit. my email is joshlandis@gmail.com if you want to reach me) It's daunting to summarize my experiences and relationship with Hunter. We worked together for 12 years. We were based on other sides of the country and while I spoke with him frequently through video meetings and phone calls, I saw him in person only a dozen times or so. But that was enough to develop a deep affection. I will remember Hunter’s unique combination of conviction, kindness, and no-bullshit wisdom. Depending on which of these animating forces was ascendant at any given moment, you'd get a different experience with Hunter. I saw all these shades and over the years they combined to reveal a warm, giving, complex, and passionate person. Our interactions whether at work or play always cut through formalities and niceties. He was interested in realness, which he gave as well as he received. I loved "the Hunter Pause,” which were the moments during a conversation about work or life, maybe some challenge or conflict, during which he was considering how open and honest to be about the matter at hand. These “pause” moments though very brief, were anticipatory moments in which I realized I was about to be let in on a secret or elemental truth that was perhaps a bit too much for the general public to handle, but which Hunter would share/dispense out of his lifetime of wisdom and gravitas. Moments of frankness that stay with me still. Everyone is unique in their own way, but Hunter was cut from a different cloth, an earlier weave, more texture, definitely more durable. I always had the sense he had seen and done -- and therefore understood things -- I hadn't. He didn't shy away from acknowledging hard things. That knowledge and wisdom was informed by a deep sense of rightness and transcendental values -- which informed his professional life and personal passions. He listened during conversations as few people do. In meetings, large settings and small, prized whatever his antennae picked up. This overarching fusion of wisdom, honesty, perception, and his desire to connect with others, made Hunter a treasure to know. We both grew up before cell phones and the interne and I felt a kinship with him in that regard. He knew what it was like to walk in the wilderness metaphorically and literally, and his honesty and directness I often felt outshone mine. Updates during his battle with cancer was at turns heartbreaking and inspiring. Hearing about the challenges and joys involving his boys as they launched into the world was touching and heartening. As fathers, we compared notes and bolstered each other. I usually left our conversations wishing I'd possessed as much equanimity and perspective as he had on the subject. On our private calls he'd often call me "boy-o," delivered with ebullient warmth and endearment even though I wasn’t terribly younger than him. It was another gift he gave. His use of the word “anyways.” I have voicemails on my phone from him that I won’t delete, as hard as they will be to listen to. I’m gutted I can't ring him up when the moment strikes me like I used to. I now see that was a gift I took for granted. But I can still hear his voice and imagine his reactions in my head — as can many others. In that sense, may we all continue to hold his gifts and uniqueness in our hearts and memories.

I had the extreme fortune of being Hunter’s colleague and mentee at Climate Nexus. I learned so much from him and will miss him dearly. I’m sure many people will reflect on his incredible climate communications acumen, but I wanted to share that Hunter always focused on the “why” behind the work we do. After the Paris Agreement was adopted, he called me from Paris to tell me it was done (I was a new mom that had stayed back in DC despite working Paris hours that week). It was a tearful celebration and a professional triumph, but he immediately reminded me why it was so important: he said this was about his kids, and my kids. Over the years, Hunter and I had probably hundreds of phone calls with each other, but two stand out. He knew I was a Washington Nationals fan, and he once called me from a Giants-Nats game that had gone into extra innings in San Francisco. He sounded like he was having the time of his life with his boys at the ballpark. I now have two boys and understand that joy. The other was the last phone call we had in July, where we as usual talked about work things, but also our families. He talked about how incredibly proud he was of his kids and how great they turned out as adults. That’s what I will remember about Hunter - he was a fierce, passionate advocate for the climate, but so full of heart on the things that matter most. Sending light to you all.

I first met Hunter in 2015, ahead of the UNFCCC intersession in Bonn, in a COP21 strategy meeting in The Hague with what was then called the Climate Briefing Service. While he immediately impressed me with his insights and clarity of view, he only started to notice me at night, when a group of us ended up in an obscure bar with an old-school music system, as I took over, went straight into the funk and soul library, and played "Papa was a rolling stone". Hunter immediately recognized the drum and bass intro, smiled to me, and started dancing like only he could. Sharing the dancefloor with Hunter that night, and again at the CAN party a month later (this time on Major Lazer -- a testament to Hunter's eclectism) was pure joy, and believe it or not, it made me feel confident I had been right in my carrer choice to join the climate movement a few months earlier :) I add this pic of the COP21 grand finale, where I stood close to some of my favorite people in the space and next to Hunter Thank you Hunter, for this, and for all the more substantial things you've done for us and for the world - you'll be kindly remembered!

About a year ago I was mulling a new job opportunity and one of my first calls was to Hunter. I'd known him for almost a decade at Climate Nexus. I knew he knew the issues -- climate science, energy, communications, etc. --- but even more than that he knew the big picture, saw the big picture. He was the go-to person at Climate nexus for big-picture stuff, the person to tell us why certain people or groups were doing something, and what our actions would mean or how they would be perceived. This isn't the type of stuff you teach, it's something that's learned over decades of work in this field, and Hunter was fantastic at it. Of course he ended up giving me great advice on the job. And of course he did it in a way that was kind, humble, open and honest. I'm so glad I got the chance to work with him and learn from him. And I'm so glad I got the chance to tell him just how much I respected him as a colleague.

I was an intern at Climate Nexus’s DC office for much of 2019 and was always intrigued by Hunter Cutting, that very authoritative and interesting person who would appear on screen at our team video calls. I don’t think we ever spoke one on one, so I’m sorry I don’t have anything more detailed or interesting to share, but I remember Hunter always making incisive and thought provoking comments in those meetings. Everyone listened up when he spoke and wanted to know what he thought. A very smart and thoughtful person. I’m very sorry to hear about his passing and very sorry for your loss.

Hunter was a cherished leader in a new communications non-profit called Resource Media. I learned a lot from Hunter over the years, and I know others did as well. Hunter spoke his mind but his opinions were always well-informed. I am grateful for my time working with him.

One last story I can't believe I forgot: Just before the first round of CN layoffs was announced (of which I would be a part) I had one of my last Slack interactions with Hunter -- I think about the upcoming hurricane season, with him providing some insight and context into pre-season forecast estimates. After that concluded, I added something to the effect of: "I don't know what's going to happen with everything, but I have to say that one of my very favorite things about working here was that I could pop into the ClimateSignals slack channel and ask a graduate-level question out of the blue and almost immediately get a thoughtful, clear, and engaged answer." Hunter replied simply with a "heart" emoji. It's impossible to overstate just how much legitimate joy countless interactions just like that brought me over my seven years at Climate Nexus, but they typify Hunter to me.

All of these are very work-related, and quite detailed. While that represents my interactions with Hunter, if you’d rather skip the minutia, you can stop reading after the next paragraph. (My email to him upon learning CN would shut down is also at the very bottom, if you would like to read that.) 

 Hunter was one of the smartest, most insightful, most eager to help, and *most capable of helping* people I’ve ever worked with. He forgot more about climate science than I could ever hope to learn. He was never shy to try and help by sharing information he had that he thought would be useful, and he was willing to change his mind when presented with new information — two of the qualities I value most in both a person, and especially in a colleague. I’m sure I’m the 800th person to say something like this, but there are a lot of people who understand climate science, and there are a lot of people who understand the politics of climate change, but there are maybe five people who understand both of them at the level that Hunter did … and I don’t know who the other four people are. I am so, so sorry for your loss. —Nathan Kauffman June 2017: My very first interaction with Hunter came within my first month at Climate Nexus, when he interjected in a point I was making to make sure I (coming straight from the Democratic National Committee) and the group understood that CN could not get involved in political and election activity. I knew that (and knew Hunter’s caution was unnecessary in that instance) and the whole exchange taught me two fundamental things about Hunter, which happen to be two of my most highly valued attributes in any person, especially any professional colleague: (1) He was never shy to try and help by sharing information he had that he thought would be useful, and (2) He changed his mind when presented with new information. May 2020-April 2024: 
When I took the helm of Hot News, CN’s morning newsletter, I was dropped into a position of writing about the connections between climate change and extreme weather — on behalf of the organization, at 6:00 am ET — with little if any time for collaboration and edits from others, especially not from people in San Francisco. 

 Hunter worked patiently and tirelessly with me, metaphorically holding my hand though countless Slack threads, explaining the mechanics of climate change and whether, how, and how much, they impacted extreme weather and other climate-fueled disasters. I can only hope to one day learn as much about these issues as Hunter forgot in his lifetime. 

Others can tell you much bigger ways in which Hunter directly impacted media coverage and policy across a host of climate and science topics, but these are just a few of the Top Story summaries I included in Hot News that were directly influenced by Hunter. 

 - There are too many Top Stories about IPCC proceedings to include, but given Hunter’s tireless work to force the media to connect climate change to extreme weather, I’ll share this one from February 2022: https://nexusmedianews.com/top_story/impacts-of-climate-change-escalating-dangerously-ipcc-report/ 
 - Hunter personified one of my favorite phrases of strategic communication: “Message discipline is free.” Some of those messages that I made sure to include in Hot News (because if Hunter said they were important, that means they’re important!) were how “a couple additional inches [of rain] may not sound devastating … it can be the difference between overtopping a levee, or coming across a home's threshold.” https://nexusmedianews.com/top_story/climate-change-increased-ian-rainfall-by-10-analysis/ 
 - Another is that when rain falls at more than 3”-4” per hour, it “essentially negate[s] any difference between soil and paved surfaces and essentially all the rain becomes streamflow.” https://nexusmedianews.com/top_story/basements-turned-to-death-traps-by-ida/ - Hunter banged the drum inside CN for years about EPA undercounting methane pollution. By the time I finished writing Hot News, there were more stories I wrote about that issue than I could possibly link to. https://nexusmedianews.com/top_story/unburned-methane-from-flaring-5x-higher-than-epa-estimates/ - I stated a variation on ‘methane traps more than 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period’ more than 40 times in Hot News. I could type it in my sleep, and that’s because of Hunter. 

 I don’t know if hearing any of these matter to you at all, but to the extent that you care about his professional legacy, please know that I and many others are extremely lucky to have had the privilege of working with and learning from him. —Nathan Kauffman
 June 3, 2024 
Subj: fuck this shit. Hi Hunter, Just wanted to check in and ... I don't know. I hope you're doing OK. It was truly an honor and pleasure working with you and I hope you're as proud as you deserve to be (very) for all you accomplished at CN. The IPCC, COP, the 4th NCA, and Climate Signals were always the four main points I brought up when people asked me "What does Climate Nexus do?" and it was never lost on me how integral you were to all of those. I know I don't have the attention span to ever learn as much as you have forgotten about the science of climate change, but I've always thought of you as something of a reasonably-achievable role model — professionally, as something of a jack of all trades, and also in terms of how you speak about your kids and family. And if you ever take a hunting (or any other) trip to the Shenandoah Valley, please look me up! Best wishes, --Nathan

I worked alongside Hunter for 4 years at Climate Nexus. Hunter was always eager to get into deep dives about climate policy, how to best communicate climate science, and why everyone needed to be reminded that the oil and gas industry remained the bad guys. His work with IPCC was so impressive and where he showcased his deep understanding of climate science, ability to translate technical subjects into language that inspired people to act, and clear love for working on the greatest environmental issue of our generation. Hunter's council was so valued as a colleague. He clearly knew what he was doing, and loved every second of it. The climate movement owes a lot to Hunter. He will be missed, but very much remembered.

I lead climate policy for Bernie Sanders from 2015 - 2021. Hunter's work greatly informed the way we talked about climate change. I never got to connect with him personally, but we were in various virtual and physical spaces with each other for years. Hunter's work to carefully and delicately communicate the scale and urgency of the climate crisis helped us engage the American public and gorw positive attitudes toward climate solutions like those that were ultimately included in teh Inflation Reduction Act. I hope his kids and wife and supremely proud forever. I cannot overstate the ginormous impact Hunter is leaving behind. Thank you for sharing him with us for so many years. I will be praying for your family.

Hunter Cutting - Capitol Hill's Global Climate Science Go-To. I worked with Hunter as a consultant to Climate Nexus. Through his smart briefings to Hill staff, he helped Climate Nexus establish itself as the key resource for international climate science. He was smart, thoughtful and spoke in the plain English needed to help offices understand what was at stake and how to talk about these technical reports so that constituents - and the media - could better understand the urgency to act on good climate policy. Such a great professional and a strong, effective voice for the effort.

When I started at Climate Nexus, Hunter was by far the most disagreeable person at the organization, and thus, I would say, the most indispensable. He wouldn't hesitate to tell his colleagues when he thought they were wrong. And because I was new and generally reluctant to share my own opinion, I would look to Hunter when a senior staff member had put forward some terrible idea. He never failed to point them down the right path. The few times that I got to share a beer with Hunter, I thought he was great company — wry and darkly funny. And on those occasions when I was the one with the bad idea, I was always grateful for him to set me straight.

we had an instant dislike of each other which grew into affection and respect. We were both working on different voting bills . Him on proportional voting in Oakland and me and n district elections in SF. He was so smart and fun we clicked on social justice issues thru the years never having money and sometimes winning. A loss to all of us especially his wonderful family .

I met Hunter working on Tom Ammiano's write-in campaign for SF Mayor in 1999. As a young person just coming up in the campaign world, I was honored that Hunter took me under his wing and taught me his bulletproof basics of strategic communications on that incredibly beautiful and stressful sprint of a campaign. Hunter always coached, taught, mentored with grace and grit. I knew he had my back, but also that he would course-correct when needed. Those skills, and that community-above-all focus, has stayed with me for my entire career (much of which was thanks to Hunter's guidance, including my current job.) Now that I'm older than Hunter was then and I mentor younger folks, I am grateful beyond words for all he shared, and for his example. Thank you Hunter, and blessings on your journey and on your family.

Of the many wonderful people I met working at the IPCC, the global climate science assessment body, Hunter was one of the best. He was one of the "Friends of the IPCC" - experts who came from other organisations to provide communications support when the IPCC released one of its reports. To the extent the IPCC had any success in getting its message across in the last dozen years, a lot of the credit goes to Hunter. Generous, kind, enthusiastic, helpful, a great sense of fun, and with such an original way of looking at things. An incredible knowledge of climate science, a powerful understanding of the media and its works, and a deft way of expressing the most complex concepts in layman's terms. A great way with people, putting exhausted and pressurised scientists at their ease ahead of a media interview. He was supportive when we were under pressure, gentle but determined, and he was great company when the heat was off. Some people enrich your life when you meet them, and Hunter was one of those.

I was so lucky to work with Hunter for nine years at Climate Nexus. He was a dedicated colleague, a brilliant strategist, a precise writer, an advocate with rare expertise, an invested mentor and a real friend. It is so clear that Hunter invested his whole heart into the things that were important to him. As a coworker, I got to see his dedication to the cause of climate change up close. Hunter developed a singular expertise in the ability to communicate climate science to a broader public, and was an integral part of the public communication of many globally important scientific reports. He had the respect of the world's top scientists, who sought his advice on how to communicate their work with clarity. I was lucky to get to know Hunter at learn from him at the UNFCCC intersessional in Bonn in the fall of 2015 -- right before COP21 where the Paris Agreement was adopted. I was brand new to the climate movement. I knew nothing about how the UNFCCC worked, nothing about how civil society organizations helped to shape international climate agreements, nothing about the key issues driving negotiations. I was a total novice. Hunter invested in me from the jump. He took me to all his meetings, explained the issues and dynamics afterwards, explained global climate politics, took me out to dinner to recap the day, quizzed me to see what I had learned, and never tired of explaining and offering context when I was missing part of the picture. At the time, I thought that Hunter loved his job and found this work deeply interesting and important. This was true of course. But I later came to understand that Hunter also saw a big part of his job as bringing up the next generation of climate communicators and advocates. I can't tell you how lucky I am to have been introduced to the world of climate change by Hunter and to have had many opportunities over the years to learn from him. He was indefatigable. I remember one night after a long and educational dinner, we were walking back to the hotel. I was exhausted from the 16-hour work day, but Hunter saw an advocate from a country in a different negotiating group having a smoke break near the hotel. He didn't miss the opportunity to catch up with her, exchange perspectives and info like only a longtime climate advocate could do. He was still the first person at breakfast the next morning. As a seasoned communicator and climate strategist, Hunter knew the power of his words and actions. I watched him closely--particularly at UN conferences. I could tell how closely he was paying attention to everything happening in the room, and how thoughtful he was with his voice, when he chose to speak up in a conversation or backchannel a discussion instead. He had a sharp political mind and handled himself and his relationships with the utmost care. Nine years later, I am still learning from Hunter circa 2015. The lessons he imparted on me by modeling the careful behavior of someone who knew the power and influence of their words are still sinking in. Over the years, Hunter was always willing to go deep on subject matter with me--or to give me the cliffs notes version of an issue if I needed to grasp the contours of a new topic before a meeting. He could zoom in and zoom out in a way that made him an indispensable teammate. Even in my later years of working with him, he never made me feel silly for asking basic questions. He was patient, generous and always happy to read over a sensitive email, or impart knowledge, wisdom, and advice. I remember calling him once with a work question at a totally inconvenient time--could have been a weekend, evening, or early morning--I don't remember. He answered and when I thanked him for always making himself available, he said something along the lines of: "If you're not there for your teammates, what are you evening doing? What's the point?" While Hunter had decades more subject matter expertise and professional experience than me, he was also thoughtful about giving me space to lead, space to make decisions, space to make mistakes safely and learn from them. He delegated important projects and deferred to me, and invested in building my confidence. While it was so clear to me how seriously Hunter took his work, I was also lucky to see snippets here and there of another side of him. I have a vague memory of Hunter dancing on a table at a huge party the night that the Paris Agreement was adopted. I believe one night he snuck out to a club to dance off the stress of the day (was it salsa? techno? I don't remember, but I know he had a fabulous time.) He took his joy as seriously as he took his work. Hunter had a big heart. He was a sensitive, careful and thoughtful coworker and a dedicated friend. He will continue to have a huge impact on my life, but I'm so heartbroken that he's not here with us anymore.

Hunter and I met about 14 years ago when we were both looking for a boat share. We decided to team up and split a 1/4 share of a Catalina 30 and later a Catalina 34. Although we met because of sailing, we soon discovered how many other things we had in common. When Hunter bought his Olson 25, we continued to sail together and to socialize with our families on dry land too. I admired his optimism and ability to have fun no matter what the weather or what was going on in the world. I also was always impressed by his friends and family. Hunter made me a better mom and human and I’ll miss just laughing together more than anything. Love to all who loved him as I did. I’m so sorry for your and our loss.

I knew He net for many years despite being an eight-hour time zone apart from him. I enjoyed many conversations with him about climate and life more generally. My strong st memory of Hunter will always be on the final day of the Paris COP in 2015 when we were both watching the closing plenary from the overflow room. As the gavel came down on the Agreement I was overcome with a great wave of emotion and seeing Hunter also with tears in his eyes I gave him the biggest hug of my professional life. I will miss him. My heartfelt condolences to his family. He was a great friend and colleague.

It's funny, some of my favorite Hunter memories are some of the most random. This was back when we were hard at work at the Bangkok intersessional in the lead up to the Copenhagen COP and Hunter lost his Macbook charger. As the CAN-I Program Assistant at the time I offered to go try and track one down for him in the city and after a fun adventure wandering through Bangkok I found one. He was so, so appreciative. And that's something I think I'll remember most about him - how genuinely appreciative he was of other people. Of their work. Of their ideas. Of their inherent worth. A lot of people say the right words, but with Hunter you felt them. You knew other people meant something to him. Maybe meant everything to him? And that's a rare gift in a world increasingly disconnected. Thank you Hunter, for that lesson in how to truly appreciate and connect with other people. I'll miss you.

I had the privilege of working with and learning from Hunter for years while I was at the Union of Concerned Scientists - we crossed paths regularly at climate convenings and he was always - always - full of good cheer and and a source of wise counsel. Hunter was brilliant communicator and strategist - so passionate about the work - and an especially kind and generous man. I am saddened by his passing and very grateful to have known him.

I was impressed watching Hunter playing soccer with the youth, both in Bonn and at the CANCUN COP. In Bonn, he gave a speech to the "students" of the Capacity Building Program about how to prepare and perform a Press Conference. Simply, compelling and effective, It was the better lesson I receive during my time like a fellowship of the program.

I met Hunter in 2004 when I was finishing up the four-year project of writing the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA). ACIA Chair, Bob Corell, and I really felt this report could help get climate change on the global agenda, with the right publicity. My friend Hal Harvey got Resource Media on the case, with Hunter in the lead. Hunter and I worked together very closely on all aspects of the release, from the press conference at the National Press Club, to countless TV, radio, and print interviews, and so much more. Hunter obviously had the communication chops and was eager to learn about the science. We continued to work closely together and when Hunter left Resource Media, he came to work for/with me. It was during that period that he started Climate Signals, reflecting our view that extreme weather was one of the best ways to bring climate change home to people. It was always a pleasure to work together, both productive and fun. Through his years at Climate Nexus, we continued to collaborate and stay in touch, as colleagues, as well as friends. We shared a deep passion for the work we did. I am grateful to have known him, and I will always hold him closely in my heart.

I had the pleasure of being in Hunter's company a lot in 2014 and 2015 at various UN intersessionals in Bonn and then at COP21 in Paris. He was such an intelligent person, one of those people who thinks in a different way and where every time they speak it gives you something new to think about. He was also very kind and passionate. My thoughts are with you all.

When climate deniers used the fake "climategate" scandal in an attempt to hijack the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit, Hunter was the first comms expert I remember reaching out directly to the scientists to help out. He was there for as at a critical moment. He was also a great guy. Truly saddened by his loss.

I worked with Hunter while I was at the Union of Concerned Scientists and was always struck by his positivity, generosity and caring toward others in the climate movement. He had excellent judgement and foresight and the impact of his work on accurate and timely extreme weather and climate communication will be felt for decades. I'm so sorry for your loss and deeply appreciate all of Hunter's contributions to our work.

As a scientist whose studies th eEarth's climate system, I greatly respected Hunter for our many discussions about the science over the years. Wonderful person and I am in sorrow.

I have known Hunter from since before 2015. As part of the CAN network we all worked on getting the Paris Agreement over the line. He was a wonderful patient and funny colleague. Hunter was a regular contributor to the work of the CAN Network while I was coordinating the Policy work and Dharini the comms work (a group that he was much more active in). As a coordinator you often get to sort out conflict, there was never a conflict with Hunter. He made his positions clear while being kind and understanding. People trusted his judgment and sharp analysis. He understood the climate science like not many others and conveyed the urgency of acting now without creating panic. After I already had left CAN I got to speak to Hunter again because he was interested to learn about options for his son to do voluntary work in Mexico after Highschool. I don't know if that ever materialized - but if there is still interest I would be delighted to help and meet Hunters family. Please feel to reach out anytime. My sincere condolences for your loss. Rest in Peace dear Hunter!!

The thing I remember most about Hunter was the smile that came with his laugh. As tired as we often were his smile always instantly said it’s going to be alright.

My memory of Hunter was of an experienced leader, skilled at navigating the complexity of national and international climate politics, who was driven by a personal moral commitment to a better world, and who was welcoming and informative, when I and my team were just getting invovled in the international process. Hunter was willing to hear any question, willing to share any empowering insight, and treated us as peers. That way of being opened doors, not just for me and my team, but for those we treat in that same way. He was one of a group of climate leaders that helped me develop my own sense that openness and collaboration are the best ways to ensure the movement for a better future is full of empowered, capable, and inclusive leaders. The work he helped us understand and sort through has only gathered momentum since, and I remember our debates, discussions, and informal coaching sessions with deep gratitude.

I was the Senior Communication Officer at CAN-International and co-convening the Croissant Conspiracy group at the time. Croissant Conspiracy is a group of communicators from various sectors aligning on narratives to leverage the power of the collective and influence change in climate policies and actions. Hunter was instrumental in helping me develop suggested messages to align on in the lead up to the publishing of the IPCC report on 1.5C degrees. His insights and contribution inspired a set of messages the climate movement used to amplify the importance of 1.5C degrees and the report. May his soul rest in peace.

When I joined Climate Action Network International as comms lead in 2016, Hunter was among the first to welcome me. Over the next eight years, he was steadfast in his support for the network and helped us navigate some challenging messaging, whether on the US election and the Trump win in 2016, to numerous IPCC reports, and on the science of climate change. He was always wonderful, calm, patient, and precise. We'll miss him!

I met Hunter early on in my career, when I was first starting at Climate Nexus around the time of the Paris COP. Hunter quickly became a close colleague and was always a champion and advocate for me, taking the time to ensure I wasn't lost in the acronyms of the COP and IPCC, sharing his wealth of knowledge and hyping up my work. We travelled together to South Korea for the launch of the IPCC 1.5 Report in October of 2018 and spent the first night singing karaoke with negotiators, colleagues, and friends until Hunter completely lost his voice (which did not return until after the end of the negotiations!). Even without his voice and despite our 18-hour work days in Incheon, Hunter still managed to support me and sing my praises to anyone who would listen, to say nothing to his contributions of one of the most impactful climate reports of our time. I left Nexus and moved to Europe shortly after that trip, and Hunter made an effort to reach out anytime we might be in the same place. The last time I saw him was a few years ago in Berlin, where he charmed our waiter into free drinks and then danced into the wee hours of the morning. One of my regrets is that I never managed to take Hunter up on his offer of sailing in the Bay. His smarts, enthusiasm, and kindness will be sorely missed, though his contributions to the climate movement and betterment of the world cannot be underestimated and will not be forgotten.

Hunter has been absolutely formative in helping me understand how to talk about the effects of climate change on extreme weather. Without his work, and generosity in sharing what he knew, I wouldn't be able to do my job. BUT my most memorable Hunter moment is the first time I met him, when he kindly took two days out to come to Berlin to help me think through my plans. On the first morning, a junior female colleague went out to get pastries (the rest of us being middle aged white dudes) and Hunter was appalled and very cross with me for the gender/seniority dynamic. He was absolutely right and it taught be an important lesson.

Dear family, my deepest condolences to you. I didn't know Hunter well, however. I remember very insightful conversations in Bonn during the June climate negotiations - it must have been sometime betweern 2009 to 2011. We sat in the sunny garden of the negotiations centre, and chatted about the need for more, and more impactful, communications around climate science. I admired Hunter's clear and strategic vision of what was needed. and later on, also how much he managed to deliver on that vision. His passing is a big loss to the climate community. Wishing you courage and comfort from the knowledge that Hunter will be remembered around the world for his work and his personality. With the best regards, Delia

I got to know Hunter during the crazy circus of COP15 in Copenhagen. He was brilliant at distilling the essence of what was happening and how to hold governments to account through sharp communications. Sending strength and support to his family.

The last time I talked to Hunter was before the DNC in Aug 2024. He was connecting me with some other climate folks who were going to be there. After the end of Climate Nexus it was so good to stay in touch with him and I was so grateful that he was continuing to look out for me. One of the last times we talked I was upset about Nexus closing, scared for my future, and they say to me, “don’t let yourself be robbed twice. Don’t let this take your peace.” That was great advice and I will hold onto it. Hunter also helped me find other trans folks in the climate movement. He was an incredible person, I miss him.

I’ll never forget the feeling of genuine care that Hunter made me feel every time he said the words “hey boyo” with a smile on his face. I have always known that I had a safe place at Hunter’s house because of those words. Zero judgement just pure love and care. Just a desire to see his kids and all the kids he ever cared about happy and thriving. Hunter truly was one of the best people I have ever met in life. I aspire to make people half as loved as I know he made so many of us feel.

Hunter had taken Cazzie and Dane up to Yosemite at the same time as me and my brother were visiting our uncle on search and rescue there. One of the days we all went for a hike together and Hunter kept egging Bob (our uncle) to show him the secret off trail spots that he knew about. We ended up on an insane off trail scramble with 5 11 to 12 year olds to go find a secret lake and as is tradition the adults skinny dipped while we all whined about it. I’ll never forget how hyped Hunter was to be getting to see the lesser known spots, how he was quizzing us about the wildlife in between giving us sci-fi and fantasy book recommendations. That day is stuck in my head forever. I love you all.