Day 1

It’s October 1st — and you are here to learn, be inspired, and mobilize around climate action, environmental sustainability, and social justice. We are thrilled to embark on this month-long journey together. Project Green Challenge (PGC) is designed to ignite curiosity, expand worldviews, educate broadly, and encourage you to engage more deeply with a diverse community of like-minded peers, academics, leaders, and activists. However you feel right now — prepared for what lies ahead or uncertain about the unknown — we’re here to accompany you, as we have for hundreds of thousands of student participants over the past twelve years of Project Green Challenge.

Since 2005, Turning Green has inspired over 4 million students globally through our multifaceted changemaking programs. By starting this journey, you’ll be joining our global network of students who have taken our challenge and discovered their passions, purpose, and superpowers as they rise to lead and advocate for social, environmental and climate justice on their campuses and in communities. 

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 to do with the environmental challenges we face? Have you become more aware of social injustices and seek to address inequity in your community? Do you see a divided and damaged world that you want to help repair?

Thinking about what you can do to make a difference may seem like a daunting task, which is where PGC comes in. This month is about you and thousands of PGC participants learning how to enact tangible change, amplify stories, and ground work on your campuses and in communities beyond your wildest imagination. This is your platform to learn, to challenge yourself, and to connect with global peers around issues that matter to you, your community, humanity, and our world at large.

Every action you take, will have an impact, and lead to more across the globe, united as one to heal our planet.

The paradigm shift that our planet needs will not come from a single organization, country or leader, but rather all of us together. PGC is a launchpad from which you will go forth with the tools, resources, support and empowerment to demand systemic change.

To make a difference, you have to start. Choose proactivity over apathy, and commit to daily action in support of what you value. We believe in the power of one, the power of us, and the power of youth to bring about meaningful, positive, lasting change. For the next 30 days, you have the opportunity to reflect on wide-ranging environmental and social themes, activate your voice, and mobilize for bold change across campuses and communities. We utilize social social media platforms to reach exponentially more people and online audiences — and hope to see your posts tagging @TurningGreenOrg and #PGC2023 each day!

Research proves that when we share our work, emotions, struggles, and triumphs with each other, we are better able to not only cope with challenges, but actually foster resilience, connection and growth. Together, we possess the determination, knowledge, and innovative spirit to build a sustainable, just future — with the collective passion and commitment to keep fighting, even when things may feel trying or impossible. 

PGC is proud to stand with movements, organizations, companies and platforms that believe in the power of YOUth. Each day, you will be introduced  to mission-aligned partners who lead the industry on climate action. Today’s partner, Acure, leads people toward sustainable, healthy lifestyles with body products made from high quality ingredients that are safer for both people and planet. Our nonprofit partner of the day is Friends of the Earth, an environmental advocacy organization working on behalf of our planet, from telling congress to stop funding destructive fossil fuels to getting retailers to remove pollinator-killing toxins. 

At  the end of your 30 day journey, we hope that you will find the confidence, momentum, and inspiration to dive into a planet-healing project. Young people like you have accomplished incredible achievements. Take a look at some of our past finalists and their Climate Action Projects. These participants each opted in to start PGC and it led them to create projects that have made lasting and impactful community-based solutions including: Cambodia’s first youth climate conference, a published children’s book about indigenous ecological knowledge in Australia, the addition of environmental justice into Belmont University’s Medical School curriculum, and so much more! 

Turning Green applauds your decision to take the first step toward making the world a better place, and we look forward to seeing the thoughtful, unique and impactful  ideas and actions presented in your daily submissions. Inspired people inspire people! We can’t wait for you to experience the thirteenth annual Project Green Challenge with global peer changemakers. Let the journey begin!