PARTNERS
“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (1933 – 2020)
Welcome to Day 1 of Project Green Challenge.
It’s October 1st and you are here to learn, to be inspired and to mobilize around climate action, environmental justice and sustainable living. We are excited to embark on this month-long journey together. Project Green Challenge is designed to prompt questions, expand viewpoints, and empower each of you with the tools to be the change. However you’re feeling – ready for what’s to come, uneasy about the unknown, overwhelmed by the state of the world, or just eager to get going – it’s all just as it should be. And we will be here to walk this journey with you, just as we have been for tens of thousands of students over the first decade of PGC.
Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to talk about your WHY.
Why were you inspired to sign up for PGC? Does it have something to do with the environmental challenges we face daily? Have you become more aware of social injustices and want to address inequities and prejudice in our communities? Do you see a fractured world and want to repair it?
2020 is a year like no other. The coronavirus pandemic has flipped the world upside down, forcing us apart, while we all share experiences of adapting to new, ever-changing realities. A resurgence of Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s murder has rightfully centered racial justice, amid a global pandemic that disproportionately affects Black and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities. The climate crisis is causing mass destruction worldwide, with fires, storms and more leaving devastation of unprecedented scale and forcing millions to flee their homes or remain in dire conditions. Still, younger generations are rising with strong voices, clear demands, and a fervent desire for change — a hopeful glimpse into a better future we will co-create.
Thinking about what you, as a sole individual, can do to make a difference may seem daunting — which is where PGC comes in. Use Project Green Challenge as a platform to learn, to challenge yourself, and to connect with others around matters that are important to you, to your community, to humanity and to our world at large. Every action you take, no matter how seemingly large or small, will have an impact — and lead to more.
To effect positive change, we have to start. Choose proactivity over apathy and commit to daily action in support of what you believe. From reading an article, to sharing facts, to having a conversation about current events as you learn new things, that knowledge also reaches and shapes those around you. Today, on day one of PGC, you begin in one place as one person with one commitment — which will soon be thirty commitments over your guided PGC journey this month.
We believe in the power of one, and the capacity of YOUth to bring about tangible, positive, lasting change. During the next 30 days of PGC, you will have the opportunity to reflect on different themes, find your voice, mobilize and share widely — with friends and leaders online and off, as well as across social media, where we hope to see your posts tagging @TurningGreenOrg and #PGC2020. By the end of October, we believe you will be inspired and empowered to advocate for change in your lives, on school campuses, throughout local communities and across our world.
The next generation of students possess the determination, know-how and innovative spirit to build a sustainable and just future, as well as the passion and commitment to keep fighting when things get tough. We are the future, so let’s make it one in which we want to live. We can’t wait for you to be part of the 10th annual Project Green Challenge. Let’s get started on the journey from conventional to conscious!
PGC is proud to stand with movements, organizations, companies and platforms that believe far-reaching impact begins with small changes. We will be introducing you to our partners each day. Today’s partner, Acure, is on a mission to steer people toward a lifestyle and products that are better for you, formulating with only the highest quality ingredients that are safe for both people and planet. Shifting the items we use on our skin, the purchases we make, and the way we approach each day are paramount.
PGC is about transformation — and transformation is a process. In order to transform, it is important to first understand who you are right now at this very moment. That way, you can look back at the end of this month of PGC and personally see the difference, the growth, the change.
This is the beginning: your first challenge of PGC 2020! Read through each bullet point below. Take some time to think before writing 50 to 100 word responses to each question in bold below. Follow the submission instructions under “Deliverables.”
Next, fill out the PGC Entry Survey here. We will ask you to fill out the same survey at the end of PGC, so you can see the measurable impact of 30 days of learning. There are no right or wrong answers!
(Pay attention to this format, as it will be the same each day, and we want you to excel throughout PGC.)
Upload your responses to the questions above, your photo and caption and a screenshot of your PGC Entry Survey completion in a PDF document. Please include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.
Submission Guidelines
We never truly know what the future holds — for ourselves, for the environment, for our countries or for humanity. If we have learned anything from 2020, it’s that the world can change in the blink of an eye, transforming in ways we could not imagine even a few months prior. If you had the superpowers to control the future, how would you want it to look?
Watch this video from Prince EA called “Dear Future Generations, I’m Sorry.” Take a moment to reflect on how this timeless video made you feel.
Upload your photo and caption in a PDF document and a screenshot of your social media post. Please include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.
Submission Guidelines
We believe one is a powerful number. Why? Because every movement starts with one. With someone. Even though the state of our planet may feel overwhelming and you might not know where to begin, we deeply believe that one person has the power to impact big, bold change. Using your voice is a powerful act.
Design something creative that highlights WHY you are doing PGC. It could be a one minute video, written prose, song, poem, drawing, painting, or something else entirely — the format is up to you. Have fun! Express yourself! Craft something engaging. Think about the types of content that go viral on social media. Try to make this that resonant, shareable and impactful!
Post your video, poem, drawing or creative piece on a social media platform of your choice (or multiple!) with a short caption. Be sure to tag @TurningGreenOrg with #PGC2020.
Upload a link to your video, poem, drawing or creative piece in a PDF document. Include a screenshot of your social media post. Please include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.
Submission Guidelines
Up to 10 Greener and 10 Greenest outstanding submissions will be selected as winners.
Each winner will receive:
