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🌳 A soccer world record inspired by the Earth

Thursday 6/25: Sponsored by Atlas Coffee Club - Raising money for soccer fields, sunset of the day, and Big Sur

June 25, 2026

Thursday

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”

John Lubbock

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

True or False?

Cotton tote bags have no environmental impact once purchased.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Soccer Fans Unite for a Climate-Friendly World Record

On June 6, something pretty wonderful happened: 551 people across the United States, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and the United Kingdom juggled a soccer ball in unison for 10 seconds, setting a new Guinness World Record. The Miami Beach event was the heart of it all, organized by Where Football Lives, a campaign devoted to protecting young soccer players from extreme heat and a changing climate.

The timing wasn't an accident. Organizers chose to hold the event just five days before the World Cup kicked off in cities like Miami, where rising temperatures are already reshaping how (and when) kids can safely play outside. In fact, parents surveyed by the group estimated their children lost about a week of practices or games in 2024 alone to heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding.

The good news doesn't stop at the record books, either. Proceeds from the event will help upgrade grassroots soccer fields across the U.S. and Mexico so they're better equipped for extreme heat, cold, and flooding. Organizers also partnered with the U.S. Soccer Forward Foundation and Football for Future to launch adaptation tool kits, giving youth soccer communities real, practical resources for navigating unpredictable weather.

Nature Spot of the Week: California's Big Sur

If you've ever dreamed of a coastal road trip, Big Sur belongs on your list. This wild, 90-mile stretch between Carmel and San Simeon hugs Highway 1, where rugged cliffs and golden beaches meet the turquoise Pacific on one side, and redwood-covered mountains rise on the other. It's the kind of place that makes you want to pull over every few miles, just to take it all in.

Once you're there, you'll have plenty to explore. Stop at the iconic Bixby Bridge for a classic photo, then walk just ten minutes from the parking lot at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to see McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that drops straight onto the beach. If you're craving something cozy, the Henry Miller Memorial Library is tucked among the redwoods and makes a perfect reading break.

Keep your eyes on the water, too. Blue whales pass by from June through October, and gray whales migrate along the coast in winter and early spring. With several protected state parks dotting the region, Big Sur is a rare place where nature still gets to lead the way.

Take a Coffee World Tour From Home

Most people think coffee just tastes like coffee. It doesn't.

Here's the secret the grocery aisle won't tell you: over 50 countries grow coffee, each with its own flavor — Ethiopian like blueberry and florals, Peru like chocolate and nuts — but the big brands buy the same 3-4 origins, then blend and over-roast them to hide poor quality. Worse, those bags can sit on shelves for months, going stale long before you brew them. You're not crazy. You've just never tasted the good stuff.

Atlas Coffee Club fixes that: fresh, in-season single origins from 35+ countries, including rare finds, roasted after you order — in beans, grounds, or pods. A new country every month: a coffee world tour in every box.

Father's Day sale: get your 1st bag free.

Thank you to Atlas Coffee Club for sponsoring The Canopy.

Sunset of the Day in St. John

The Canopy reader Susan captured this stunning sunset from St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, where palm trees frame a quiet harbor full of sailboats. The sky glows in soft shades of orange and pink, fading into blue as the evening settles over the hillside and calm water below.

Thank you to Susan for sharing this gorgeous St. John sunset. Have a sunset or snapshot you'd love to share? We'd love to see it. Send it our way for a chance to be featured in The Canopy.

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: False. They require significant water and energy to produce, so reuse matters.

🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured!