Hi,
We are delighted to share that on April 27, nearly 300 guests joined us for our 2023 Climate Leadership Gala. It was a truly special evening both recognizing and hearing from changemakers who are making a positive difference towards climate solutions. We thank everyone who joined us to honor these leaders, and the individuals and organizations that provided support for the evening.
Actress and entrepreneur, Amanda Seyfried, spoke of an economic model that recognizes and honors our place within the environment and not outside of it. Ms. Seyfried, co-founder of Make It Cute, a toy company offering children’s playhouses made out of completely sustainable materials, also highlighted EARTHDAY.ORG’s The Canopy Project <[link removed]>, our community focused reforestation program.
The audience had the opportunity to hear from Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, who noted that innovations and inspiration will both be vital in spurring meaningful climate action. From EARTHDAY.ORG president Kathleen Rogers, the audience heard a message of hope - that while climate change has the potential to be devastating, if we act now to help youth develop skills and knowledge on climate, it will give them the opportunity to redesign and rebuild the world in a more just and resilient way.
Featured speaker Jane Poynter, Founder and Co-CEO of Space Perspective, the world’s first carbon-neutral space travel experience company stated that one of the purposes behind her company is to help humans see the earth from a perspective outside of the thin blue line that is our atmosphere. Poynter was joined by Jeff Hoffman, former NASA astronaut, professor of aerospace engineering at MIT and Space Perspective Technical Advisor, who described the important role space travel can play in transforming humanity’s perception of our planet as a finite system that we need to steward and protect.
Our honorees included Jacqui Patterson, Founder and Executive Director of The Chisholm Legacy Project, winner of the 2023 Women and The Green Economy Leadership Award who is paving the way in frontline climate justice for BIPOC communities. Patterson gave homage to women who both paved the way for her work and those currently on the front lines of the intersectionality of gender and race inequality and the impacts of climate change.
Sam Rose, climate and education philanthropist, was honored with the Climate Education Champion Award for his dedication and philanthropic passion for education, including global climate literacy. Seth Goldman, Cofounder and CEO of Eat the Change, Chair of the Board of Beyond Meat and Co-founder of PLNT Burger and Honest Tea, received the 2023 Climate Visionary Award in recognition of his leadership as an innovative entrepreneur in the plant-based and planet healthy foods business, and as an environmental and climate activist, and philanthropist.
Marlen Garcia, our 2023 Youth Climate Leadership Award winner, shared poignant remarks about the future young people, especially those in marginalized communities, are facing. Garcia, a college senior who leads Earth Uprising International, described her personal struggles as a low-income immigrant woman in America working to help those around the globe most at risk from climate change.
You can view the full remarks by the 2023 honorees and speakers here. <[link removed]>
Thank you for joining us to honor these remarkable leaders in the climate action movement and for standing with us to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement. If you were unable to join us, you can still support EARTHDAY.ORG and the work we do with a donation. <[link removed]>
With gratitude,
Kathleen Rogers
President
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