Living our climate resolutions

Letter from the Executive Director

2019 has begun, and perhaps many of you are already living your resolutions and intentions.

First, though, as we reflect back on last year, we highlighted our top five moments for climate change in 2018 — some solutions-focused, and others setbacks. Amongst the climate change impacts we witnessed across the world, the swell of momentum toward the resilient, equitable, clean energy future we envision continues to inspire us.

In the spirit of New Year’s Resolutions, what will 2019 look like for Climate Generation? We’re excited to add to our team with the hiring of a Development Coordinator. Here’s some other programmatic highlights:

Creative partnerships: From our Dine for Climate Series which kicks off with fig+farro on Jan. 21^st, to our Talk Climate Institute and Three Rivers District Climate Conversations series, we are supporting the connections between climate change and other areas of your life and helping you better communicate about the issue, plus engage in solutions.

#TeachClimate365: Our #TeachClimate365 campaign is our challenge to educators to bring climate change into their classroom all year. This will be supported with the release of our new humanities and climate change resources, summer workshops in Minnesota focused on the new science standards, and our 14th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education in Washington D.C.

Minnesota’s Green New Deal: Minnesota youth are not only organizing their community around climate action through Youth Convening Minnesota, but are also organizing their peers to call on policymakers to take urgent climate action through Minnesota Can’t Wait, demanding bold policies like 100% clean energy for all, as well as a sustainable and equitable transition to a decarbonized economy through a Minnesota version of the Green New Deal. You can view more about their recent meeting with Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Flanagain and MPCA Commissioner Bishop in In the News.

Deepened Commitment to Equity: Climate Generation fully commits in the near-term to budgeting and work planning for diversity, inclusion, and equity results, and the long-term work of becoming culturally competent, welcoming and inclusive of all people both within and outside our organization, as well as in the range of issues and challenges that we engage in.

We all know climate change is the most urgent threat to humanity and other species. Last year’s UN climate report stated that we have 11 years to truly turn things around and strengthen frontline communities already devastated by climate change. This is evidence that we need to act urgently. We believe investing in individuals and communities to engage in climate change solutions is the right course of action to get us there.

Sincerely,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Build Climate Literacy

Who knew saving the planet could be so delicious?

Join us for Dine for Climate, a fundraising series that makes the connection between climate change and our food system! Our partner restaurants are committed to delicious food, healthy communities, and a sustainable planet by providing plant-based options and sourcing local and organic food from nearby farmers. Come enjoy a meal between 5 and 9 p.m. on January 21 at fig + farro to kick off the series: 30% of your meal’s proceeds will support Climate Generation. No reservations required. Bring your family and friends! Climate Generation staff will be on hand to answer questions and share opportunities to engage in local climate action. RSVP to the Facebook event for updates!

Climate Conversation: Silverwood Park

Don’t miss our second Climate Conversation with Three Rivers Park District at Silverwood Park on February 16. This conversation will uniquely explore how art can be a powerful way to communicate about climate change and inspire critical connections that get us out of our head and into our heart. Hear the latest climate science and listen to stories of how climate change affects our lives from Executive Director of Minnesota Fringe Dawn Bentley, artist MaryBeth Garrigan, and musician and poet Ben Weaver. All ages welcome, free to attend, registration encouraged. Register here!

Develop Powerful Advocates

Youth demand the future they envision and deserve

Over 100 youth from across Minnesota demanded action on climate change in a sit-in meeting with Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Laura Bishop on January 9. The meeting officially launched the MN Can’t Wait platform demanding three key points: 1) A Minnesota Green New Deal, 2) No new fossil fuel infrastructure statewide, and an 3) Executive order to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. You can read about the impact of the event in Energy News, City Pages, MPR News, Grist, and more in our In the News! Youth can get involved in the initiative and save the date for the February 20 Youth Climate Justice Summit at the Capitol.

Talk Climate Institute

Join us March 25-26 in Duluth, MN at the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) for the Talk Climate Institute! We are excited to feature AICHO as the venue for this workshop to reflect the people and place of the Duluth area. AICHO showcases equitable climate solutions, boasting the first fully functional solar array on an Indigenous center in the country and has implemented urban gardens and green space, with a focus to strengthen climate and cultural resilience among Native communities. We are also honored to have Karen Diver as our keynote speaker, who was Special Assistant to the Obama White House on Native American Affairs and former Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. All are welcome, scholarships available. Register today!

Elevate Leadership

Climate change education in action

We are proud to see Climate Generation’s programs and partners featured prominently throughout the December edition of Green Schools Catalyst Quarterly, Climate Literacy: Educating with the Future in Mind. Kristen Poppleton, our Director of Programs, co-authored the feature article on building hope and social capacity of students in the 21st century. Our partner school and educator, Natalie Stapert from the Lowell School in Washington D.C. contributed an article detailing our partnership focused on integrating climate change into their Humanities curriculum, and Brad Johnson from the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN provided an overview of their history bringing high school students to the UNFCCC’s COPs, often with Climate Generation’s support. Read the issue online today!

#TeachClimate Network educators share their classroom recommendations

We are honored to work with educators from around the country through our #TeachClimate Network. Each month we meet to discuss challenges and successes in climate change education and discuss climate change fiction and non-fiction books. The following talented educators have written reflection blogs about these books to help others use them in their classrooms: Betsy Wilkening, Tucson Water Education Coordinator; Sarah Neimeyer, Earth & Life Science Teacher in MN; Devarati Bhattacharya, K-16 STEM Education Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Nebraska; Dr. Krista Hiser, Professor of English at Kapi’olani Community College in Honolulu, HI; and Heidi Auel, an Instruction Lead Administrator at a charter school in MN. Learn more about our network and see our reading list!

#ActOnClimate

100 Percent Campaign Lobby Day

The 100 Percent Campaign is organizing a Lobby Day on February 5 for everyday Minnesotans! Learn how to have conversations with your state legislators about why we need a pathway to 100% clean energy. The event is free, with snacks provided.