Why

Overview

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi, Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, political ethicist and nonviolence resistance leader

Welcome to the Project Green Climate Resource Page. You are here to learn, to be inspired, and to mobilize around climate action, environmental sustainability and social justice. These resources are designed to educate, 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 on the journey with you, just as we have been for tens of thousands of students who have participated in Turning Green programming.

Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to talk about your WHY. 

What led you to our climate survey or this website and why? Does it have 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? 

2022 has presented an opportunity to make the change we want to see in a world desperate for justice. The coronavirus pandemic is leaving blatant injustices in its wake that have been occurring for centuries and become dramatically visible in the past few years. Women and people of color across the globe bear the brunt of the pandemic, natural disasters, and environmental degradation. The climate crisis is wreaking havoc worldwide, with fires, storms, floods, drought and more leaving damage of unprecedented scale and forcing millions to flee their homes or remain in dire conditions. Still, younger generations continue to rise with strong voices, clear demands, and a fervent desire for change, offering a hopeful glimpse into the better future we can, must and will co-create.

Thinking about what you, as a sole individual, can do to make a difference may seem daunting — which is where Turning Green comes in. We urge you to use these resources as a platform to learn, to challenge yourself, and to connect with others around matters that are important to you, your community, humanity and 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 new information to having sometimes difficult conversations about current events, as you learn new things, that knowledge also reaches and shapes those around you. Today you begin in one place as one person with one commitment — whether this is the beginning of your climate journey, or somewhere in the middle.

A great place to start is with our Anxiety to Action college climate survey. This survey was created to empower and unify student leaders, like yourself, to take climate action. We believe in the power of one, and the capacity of YOUth to bring about tangible, positive, lasting change. This generation has innovative and creative solutions that need to be heard by decision makers, supported and acted upon. towards amplifying youth voices. 

We hope you will be inspired and empowered to advocate for change in your lives, on school campuses, throughout local communities and across our world.

We 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. Let’s begin the journey from conventional to conscious!