Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2021 we had a 27% increase in email subscribers and 12% growth in social media followers, increasing our ability to reach a larger more diverse audience. Our donor base has grown by 9.5%, and total donations exceeded our budget, allowing for healthy reserves in a new fiscal year, September 1, 2021. In 2021, our climate story work received recognition through Environmental Initiative, and we were awarded the Friend of the Planet Award by the National Science for Science Education for our work advancing climate literacy among educators and students. Climate Generation reaches 1.25 million students annually through the 12,000 teachers who download our curriculum and attend trainings. We have connected over 35,000 youth ages 14-28 across Minnesota and the Midwest since youth programming began in 2008. We work with individuals and local communities providing climate story coaching and workshops, including our annual Talk Climate Institute, and opportunities to share personal climate stories for action to 5,000 individuals around the country annually. Minnesota youth introduced the Climate Justice Education bill to require climate literacy in K-12 schools statewide in 2021, and have been critical voices in strengthening and passing climate legislation including historic investment in solar for schools.
Current Goals
With our next three-year strategic plan, we will use our strategic roadmap to guide our work: centering anti-racism and systemic equity; overcoming disinformation; and personalizing and localizing climate change action. Next years goals include;
Overcome Disinformation: We will support 5 youth campaigns that introduce resolutions and initiatives that support overcoming disinformation for effective action, including advancing a Climate Justice Education bill in Minnesota.
Center Anti-Racism & Systemic Equity: We will work with an anti-racism consultant, BIPOC leaders, and our staff to continue to build an inclusive, anti-racist workplace with a goal of retaining and adding additional BIPOC staff in new positions and intersectional programs.
Personalize & Localize Climate Change Action: We will continue to support and grow our Teach Climate Network, including regional partners across North America with the resources, knowledge, and self efficacy to support climate change education in their communities.
Community or Constituency Served
Climate Generation’s overarching goal is to ignite and sustain the ability of educators, youth, and communities to act on the systems perpetuating the climate crisis. Our vision is a more equitable and resilient future for all.
We know that urgent and rapid action is needed to ensure the world is a habitable place for generations to come. We also know that the obstacles to achieve the actions needed are no longer scientific or economic, but political. We must activate all sectors of society to educate, communicate, and participate as informed global citizens—building the public will and thereby pushing just and equitable action needed to address this global crisis. Young voices in particular are demonstrated to cut through partisanship and motivate change. Our programs build public will through education, convening, narrative building, and organizing: centering anti-racism and systemic equity; overcoming disinformation; and personalizing and localizing climate change action.
Our theory of change is rooted in the belief that communities collectively hold the power to innovate and demand climate change solutions. We understand that the root causes of climate change are directly tied to our economic/political structures, and that BIPOC voices have been left out of conversations and action on solutions. We partner with and support intersectional organizations to empower youth and communities of diverse race, class, and urban-rural backgrounds, to unite in amplifying the root causes of climate change, build intergenerational partnerships, and organize for climate justice.
Geographic Area Served
Minnesota, National, International
