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, 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.
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.
With gratitude,
Kathleen Rogers President
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