PARTNERS
“Do not look the other way; do not hesitate. Recognize that the world is hungry for action, not words. Act with courage and vision.”
— Nelson Mandela
Imagine dropping a tiny pebble into a still pond. What happens? That one small drop sets off a series of ripples that grow larger and larger, emanating outward until they span the entire pond. YOU are that pebble. You have a profound impact by standing up, speaking out, living a life aligned with your values, and applying the knowledge that you have gained during Project Green Challenge to all you do.
Throughout this month, you’ve seen how every action has both positive and negative impacts that reach far beyond the original or intended purpose. Consider the transition in your own life since the start of PGC through curious exploration, in-depth education, intentional choice, like-minded connection, and mindful action. How have you transformed? Who have you inspired? What have you learned about your power as a changemaker? How have you guided shifts in your home, on your campus and across your community?
With dedication, intention, and passion for people and the planet, YOU, one person, have already fueled specific and widespread change.
Now it’s time to apply for the Project Green Challenge 2022 Finals. To be considered, you must participate in the next three challenge days, submit a complete Climate Action Project (CAP) proposal, be available to travel to the San Francisco Bay Area from November 17 – 21, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and meet all other criteria outlined in the rules. ALL are encouraged to continue to learn and engage as esteemed PGC 2022 participants!
Based on your CAP deliverables (see below); PGC accomplishments since October 1; creativity and passion; depth of engagement; number of wins; and point totals, up to 14 PGC participants will be selected as PGC Finalists to attend the Project Green Challenge Finals. Climate Action Projects will be built, honed, implemented and completed in the months leading up to April 10, 2023. Finalists will then present virtually to a panel of judges on April 23, 2023 and the PGC Champion will be named.
The next step is to take all you have learned and develop a Climate Action Project for relevant, real world, actionable impact.
What is a Climate Action Project?
A Climate Action Project (CAP) is a plan for transformative change that comes to life on your campus or in your community. Take a solutions-based approach to a real world challenge that resonates with you and impacts people, policy, and/or planet. Then, develop an innovative, realistic, high impact project centered around the climate themes that interest and inspire you.
You have been preparing for this all throughout PGC 2022! Think of the challenges where you outlined problems, created proposals and investigated practices. How can you design a CAP that effects change in bold ways, raises awareness toward a goal, and makes progress toward healing the future?
Before you begin, think about what we spoke about just a few days ago with Ikigai: What do you love? What are you good at? What does the world need? What can you get paid for? At the center of this timeless Japanese concept is what you can best contribute with your Climate Action Project. Combine your superpower and superpassion to benefit us all!
Project Criteria:
Feasibility: You must be able to complete the Climate Action Project (CAP) by April 10, 2023. That five-month marker may be a big step towards a larger goal. As an example, “completion” of a CAP need not entail switching to 100% renewable energy on campus by April, but by then, you would write and have a proposal in place, discussions with and approvals by school leadership, and concrete next steps outlined to implement clean energy at your school.
Data: CAPs need measurable outcomes. The exact form is dependent upon the project, but examples may include number of participants, pounds of food waste eliminated, miles of travel without fossil fuels, etc.
Focus: Identify an area of focus from the following PGC themes: food, waste, water, justice, soil, biodiversity, ocean, forests, urban ecology, and energy.
Reflect on the past 27 days. What themes are most inspiring, mobilizing, resonant? Which do you find yourself thinking about and how you might apply what you have learned?
Post on Instagram about why that topic matters to you in your larger activist journey — with a piece of your work from that day and/or a regram of an infographic or related image. Tag @TurningGreenOrg and #PGC2022.
Upload your responses in a PDF document, and a screenshot of your social media post. Include your name (or team name), username, and school on your upload.
Submission Guidelines
How do we best use the tools we have developed and honed over the past month to enact lasting change? We see CAPs as one of those outlets.
Develop a project that feeds your passion, to which you want to devote time over the next five months to achieve positive impact. Perhaps it begins with identifying a pressing need or an emerging environmental issue in a particular area. The more you can refine your thinking, the more effective your solutions will be. Dream and do!
Consider:
– Who is the audience you want to reach with this project? Who will it benefit?
– What is the need / challenge you seek to address?
– Where will it have the most impact?
– How will you start to construct your idea?
– What is your “why” that sparked the passion for this project?
The “why” will inform your sense of purpose moving forward, providing energy to stay the course and influence greater change.
Draft an outline for this project.
– Think about short and long term goals
– Create pro and con lists to determine if this is a project that can move forward as is, or if adjustments are needed
– Check out the S.M.A.R.T. goals rubric for structure: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and anchored within a Time frame
Upload your responses in a PDF document. Include your name (or team name), username, and school on your upload
Submission Guidelines
If you think you can accomplish something, you can. If you believe you can effect change, you will. If you lead with intention and purpose, your actions will be far-reaching and impactful. Mindsets are powerful. We see you as a changemaker, and want you to ensure that you see yourself as one too!
Identify the “how,” your mechanism of change.
Who do you need to involve as stakeholders?
Identify the “what’s next” by pinpointing next steps.
With these ideas percolating, develop an in-depth proposal for a Climate Action Project that excites you. Construct a detailed overview describing how you will implement this inspiring, innovative, actionable project over the next 5 months with concrete, lasting, positive impact.
Post a teaser (in a format of your choice!) about your CAP plans on Instagram to get friends and followers excited about being the change. Tag @TurningGreenOrg and #PGC2022.
Upload your responses in a PDF document, as well as a screenshot of your social media post. Include your name (or team name), username, and school.
Submission Guidelines
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