Climate Cycle

The Ride

2010-05-06T02:56:18Z

Climate Cycle's Solar Schools Ride was a huge success on May 15! Over 530 Climate Cyclists raised $108,000, and donations are still coming in. This represents a 53% increase in ridership and a 61% increase in fundraising over last year!

Many thanks to the 300+ volunteers who contributed their time and talent in order to produce a fun, green, and well-run event.

Much gratitude to all the musicians and performers for making the event so festive!

Yuri Lane, beat-box extraordinaire, was our morning MC.

The Environmental Encroachment kicked off the ride with a marching band bonanza.

Funk in the Trunk welcomed back the riders will their high energy, head-bobbing funk tunes.

Lincoln Park High School graced us withhip hop from 6LW and Bollywood dancing.

Polaris Charter Academy led us in their rendition of "Solarbrate Good Times."

The Happiness Club, a group of Chicago youth who sing, dance, and rap to their own original music on positive values, social change, and environmentalism, was our finale performance. Their most popular song is called "So Hot" about climate change.

Thanks to NBC 5's Ginger Zee and Mike Adamle for being our emcees!

Got pics or videos? We would love to see your pictures on ride day. Please send them to us at info@climatecycle.org Go here to view more pictures.

Seeking your thoughts! Did you ride or volunteer? We would love to hear your thoughts on what went well and what could be improved for next year. The first 100 people to complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win 13 bagels each month for a year from Panera!
Rider Survey
Volunteer Survey

We look forward to seeing you at the ride next year!

The Schools

2010-05-01T18:17:43Z

Climate Cycle is thrilled to be working with such a talented array of Chicago schools. To date, we have granted solar panels to six schools in both 2009 and 2010. To become a Climate Cycle Solar School Recipient, schools must complete an application at the end of the school year. We award schools based on the following criteria: 1) Participation in the Solar Schools Ride. How many riders did the school team galvanize? How much money did the team raise? How many volunteers supported the ride? 2) Curriculum integration. How will the school integrate solar panels into the curriculum? 3) Best practices sharing. How will the school share best practices of environmental education to other schools? Click on the link to learn more about Climate Cycle's Solar School Recipients. Solar on Schools Did you know that Chicago schools spend more on energy than on textbooks and computers combined? Sign up for our newsletter and learn ways to get involved in the Clean Energy Movement!

Solar Schools 2010

2010-04-10T07:41:21Z

We are thrilled to be granting solar panels and environmental education to the following schools this year! These installations were made possible through the fundraising efforts of riders and generous support of sponsors such as Nike and the Motorola Foundation. Curie Metro High School Curie's dedication to the Clean. Energy. Movement. is unquestionable. Over the past two years, nearly 150 riders and over 200 volunteers from Curie have participated in Climate Cycle's annual ride and have raised over $22,000 in the process. We are thrilled to announce that this year Climate Cycle will award Curie: · A five fold increase to their existing solar energy array from 1 KW to 5 KW. · $7,500 for the purposes of starting a bike club and other active outdoor education pursuits. This $7,500 stipend is a top fundraising award from our friends at the Motorola Foundation. Kudos, Curie, for your incredible dedication! We can't wait to see what comes from our continued collaboration. Perspectives IIT Math and Science Academy Just over a year ago, Perspectives was the recipient of Climate Cycle's first ever solar energy installation. This year Perspectives assembled a team of riders with the goal of raising funds to help other schools receive solar energy. As a result of their efforts, they raised more money per student than any other school and are the recipients of a $10,000 Back your Block award from Nike! Climate Cycle and Perspectives will reconvene in the fall to determine how best to allocate these funds and further empower their students in the Clean. Energy. Movement. Lincoln Park High School The Lincoln Park Lions came roaring onto the scene this year. 30 students and 10 teachers participated in the bike ride, and 23 students volunteered by cheering for the riders along the path. Their efforts landed them a 1 KW solar install complete with a data monitoring system. Additionally, they also secured a $2,500 Motorola Foundation grant that will be used to empower students in the Clean. Energy. Movement. Lincoln Park's leadership and desire to partner with other schools is illustrated here in an excerpt from their Solar Schools application. We at Lincoln Park High School would like to model ecologically sound practices as well as open the door for our students to become future leaders in the growing green economy. And, because of the nature of the Climate Cycle organization, we can do so in concert with other schools embarking on the same mission, with the support of an organization with a vested interest in our disseminating correct information in meaningful ways. Al Raby High School Coming on the heels of a very successful environmental day this past March that included scores of student climate projects and appearance by Chevy Chase and Mayor Daley, Al Raby burst onto the Climate Cycle scene this year with seven student and five teacher riders along with eleven virtual fundraisers who raised money but did not ride. This excerpt from Al Raby's Solar School application illustrates their commitment to instilling their students with a sense of citizen-based solutions to climate change. It is our vision at Al Raby to be a 'green school', starting from the inside-out. First, to engage and educate students around conservation and climate issues in their school curriculum and afterschool programs. Then, to empower them to have an impact at their school level, by informing decisions, impacting facilities changes, behaviors and cultural changes at their school. Finally, to support them to carry the messages they have learned out to the community. Armstrong Elementary School In addition to raising thousands of dollars for this year's ride, Armstrong organized their very own Solar Walk the day after the ride to raise additional funds! Armstrong's commitment to excellent teaching and passing it on through their students is apparent in this excerpt from their Solar Schools application. Armstrong's vision for conservation and use of energy is to develop a curriculum that will promote awareness of the adverse affect of wasteful energy usage. In addition, we would like to provide students and their families with useful tips that they can use at school and at home to reduce their carbon footprint. Students will also be asked to keep a log of their energy usage at home. A chart will be provided for them that will include rooms, appliances used, and length of time. This will help us track students' application of what they are learning. These are reliable and valid ways to measure the students understanding of energy, conservation, and resource management. Walter Payton College Prep Five teachers, two students, and ten volunteers along with a team of "virtual riders" from their Environmental Club forged the solar panel path for Walter Payton this year. Go Payton Green Grizzlies! This excerpt from their Solar Schools application shows their dedication to sharing solar knowledge across the world. Walter Payton College Prep strives to provide opportunities for students for international travel and making global connections. During the 2009-2010 school year there have been six student international trips including France, Spain, Prague, Guatemala, Japan, and Eastern Europe. Through the relationships and connections made on these trips, Walter Payton College Prep will share our solar panel experiences and knowledge at a global level. Below are useful links that provide information about how your school can become a Solar School Recipient. 1) Steps to Get Your School Involved 2) 2010 Solar Schools Application (provided as an example for what the 2011 application may ask for)

About Us

2009-06-08T19:20:01Z

Climate Cycle, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 2008 out of a concern that today's youth lacked the tools necessary to respond to global warming or benefit from the emerging green economy. Today, Climate Cycle leads the charge in catalyzing environmental education in the classroom and in our communities by developing young leaders in sustainability.

Since 2009, Climate Cycle has inaugurated six solar schools and five more schools will be announced soon. These schools are recipients of solar systems and a dynamic school curriculum to maximize hands-on learning. The selected schools share a vision of climate solutions and energy independence from the students, faculty, administration, and beyond. Climate Cycle utilizes renewable energy because it is an available technology that provides tangible learning opportunities while saving taxpayer money.

Our annual Solar Schools Ride is an opportunity for community members, teachers, and students to demonstrate support for increasing environmental education in our schools.

"Climate Cycle's events are a fun way for school kids to become involved in tackling climate change, an issue that is already proving to be a defining challenge of this generation. It is my pleasure to fully endorse these groundbreaking initiatives."

- Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education and Former CEO of the Chicago Public Schools

Our Team

2009-05-10T02:34:46Z

Staff

Joey Feinstein - Executive Director Joey had given little thought to climate change until he met a small town North Dakota farmer during a cross-country bicycle trip in 2000. This farmer shared his deep concerns about the shifts he was seeing in weather and this conversation changed Joey's life. The following spring, Joey graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a BA in Sociology and began teaching in his hometown of Evanston, IL at Rice Children's Center. More than 80% of all children attending this school were wards of the state and lived in a residential facility attached to the school. Despite the severe personal challenges these children faced, Joey could never shake the nagging feeling that these kids were learning little about the global challenges that would ultimately affect them in the future. After graduating from the Presidio School of Management with an MBA in Sustainable Management in 2007, he founded Climate Cycle. Hanh Pham - Director of Operations Hanh's passion for waste reduction, creative reuse, and making eco-smart choices is infused into her role at Climate Cycle. Hanh has "greened" conferences, where 1,100 pounds of food waste was diverted from the landfill, and festivals, where the waste diversion rate was over 90%. Dedicated to assisting Climate Cycle operate sustainably, Hanh strives to support local green businesses in procurement of products and services. In her free time, Hanh enjoys bringing beauty to waste through a project called Pretty Dirty. Hanh has an MBA in Sustainable Management from the Presidio School of Management and a BA in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis. Jessica Waggoner - California Director Jessica has been committed to a global shift in our environmental impact since she was nominated to represent the United States in the 1995 UN Environmental Youth Program Summit. Since then, she has worked both domestically and abroad to create sustainable communities. The consistent message being "local", she has spent the last several years working with non-profits, such as LISC, and municipalities, such as the City of Boulder and the City of Chicago, to develop strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Jessica is spearheading the newest office of Climate Cycle in the San Francisco Bay Area in the summer of 2010 and looks forward to contributing to Bay Area schools with sustaining environmental education through human-powered energy! Jessica graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a BA in Anthropology, and from the Dominican University with an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise and served with the Peace Corps in Nicaragua.

Steering Committee

Ethan Austin - Fundraising Coordinator Ethan is the Co-founder of GiveForward.org, a website that provides individuals with personal fundraising pages to raise money online for the causes and organizations they care about. When he manages to step away from the GiveForward office, Ethan can likely be found scouring the aisles of Trader Joe's or training for marathons in a banana costume.

David Curtis - Treasurer David brings over 25 years of experience in consulting and professional services management to Climate Cycle. Most recently, David served as a management consultant where he acted in key leadership roles for several health care companies. David has sold and delivered solutions that exceeded 100 million dollars in the pharmaceutical, utilities, telecom and banking industries. As a VP at Oracle, he was instrumental in converting client specific solutions into products, specifically in the area of banking and telecom. He also created and implemented Oracle's worldwide professional services method for delivering on all types of engagements. As an Executive Vice President at march FIRST (formally USWeb/CKS), David managed both internal and customer facing organizations. Rob Eiseman - Public Relations Rob's broad-based public relations experience spans more than 20 years. Prior to opening Eiseman Associates, he worked with a variety of public relations agencies, as well as broadcast and association groups. He served as creative director for Dome Communications, earning creative agency of the year honors in 2000. Rob has also served as vice president at Selz/Seabolt, Ketchum Public Relations (Chicago) and Laughlin/Constable Public Relations (Milwaukee). He spent the early part of his career as director of communications for the National Roofing Contractors Association, and as promotions director for WBEZ-FM Radio. Rob has worked with a variety of nationally-recognized clients, developing award-winning campaigns for Wendy's, Harley-Davidson, Bombardier (Ski-Doo/Sea-Doo recreational products), Jim Beam Brands, Encyclopedia Britannica, Motorola, ConAgra, Disney Regional Entertainment, ESPN Zone, Sara Lee, Sargento Cheese Company, Fannie May, Mayflower, the American Iron and Steel Institute and many others. Marise Robbins-Forbes - Director of Sponsorship Marise is currently a freelance event planner/fundraising consultant. She has lived in Illinois for the past 12 years, currently residing in Decatur. With 19 years of experience working for diverse clients including Fortune 500 companies, universities and nonprofits, she brings her professional fundraising experience along with a long-held passion for the environment to Climate Cycle. Over the past three years she created a ride called Rolling on the River from the ground up. With the backing of the Lumpkin Family Foundation and Grand Victoria Foundation this ride for the environment raised funds for three statewide charities (Prairie Rivers Network, Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund and Stewardship Alliance). Rolling on the River quickly became known for its high level of participant support and beautiful route, growing 200% in just three years and advertised to more than 3 million households. Although she holds three degrees in the sciences and spent her early years as a field biologist in the wilds of the Adirondacks and Florida swamps, she discovered through her work with Rolling on the River a love of event planning and a talent for partnership development. With her event on hold until 2010, she is pouring her passions into growing Climate Cycle. She encourages all the cyclists, sponsors and volunteers from Rolling on the River to join her in supporting Climate Cycle in 2009. Cassie Freeman - Schools Committee Chair Cassie is a researcher at the University of Chicago's Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education. While researching learning in non-human primates she developed a more global appreciation for habitat destruction and climate change. This appreciation became a call to action when she worked with students in New York City's Harlem and Washington Heights neighborhoods, where few children are given the opportunity to learn about environmental issues. Now that she lives in Chicago, she is dedicated to developing actionable awareness about the environment, especially in children. She holds bachelors degrees in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and Educational Studies from Emory University and a master's in Educational Leadership from Columbia University's Teacher's College. Nancy Goldstein - Marketing Committee Chair Nancy is the Chief Strategist at Compass(x) Strategy, a brand strategy and marketing firm that helps companies that are inspired to make a better world through business. With experiences as a brand strategy consultant and a leader in brand management, Nancy has developed a 20 year track record of successfully growing businesses of all shapes and sizes. Her specialties include: marketing strategy development, value propositions and positioning, brand communications, new product launches and business model development. Nancy honed her business building and marketing skills running some of the world's most iconic brands including Pillsbury Cookies, Old El Paso Mexican Food, and CorningWare. Andrew Kay - Strategic Development Andrew moved to Chicago in 2006, after graduating from New College of Florida. He has served on Climate Cycle's Steering Committee since 2008, assisting the organization with strategy, event development, technology, and operations. Andrew's enthusiasm for the environment is only matched by his passion for cycling. He maintains broad interests in urban planning, especially transportation and livable communities, and encourages you to trade in four wheels for two! Jeff Kurt - Grant Procurement Jeff is a Toledo, Ohio native and an Ohio University graduate. He moved to Chicago over there years ago to work for InterCall, where he sells communication services to governments and public companies. Jeff was very excited to join Climate Cycle as it combines his love for biking, his interest in promoting renewable energy solutions, and his desire to make a positive contribution to his community. Jeff became active in community service nearly 10 years ago and has since been involved with nonprofits ranging from Youth Leadership Toledo to Big Brothers Big Sisters. In 2007 his community service was recognized by former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, who inducted him into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Rachel Lowen - Event Producer Rachel Lowen comes to Climate Cycle from the faced-paced world of event production. Focusing primarily in the eco and music industries, she embraces chaos management with open arms. Rachel has coordinated exhibitor logistics for Green Apple Music Festival, America's Largest Earth Day Celebration, and trade show appearances for Mountains of the Moon Eco-Fashion, veteran eco-fashion designer. In the music realm, Rachel coordinates event logistics for 100+ musicians at major festivals like Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Coachella. Most days, you'll find her at the Umphrey's McGee headquarters, a Chicago-based rock n' roll band for which Rachel oversees Brand Development and Merchandising, and most evenings you can find her out seeing live music around town.

Designers

Nick Aster - Media Architect & Web Builder Nick is a new media architect specializing in using online technology to advance conversations on sustainability. He has worked with companies like Nike, SAP, Gawker Media, Offermatica, and many others on internal and external strategies for communication, and is also a founding team member of TreeHugger.com, the most popular environmental website in the world. Currently, Nick runs the Green Business website TriplePundit.com to promote sustainable business and works for Mother Jones magazine. Nick holds an MBA in Sustainable Management from the Presidio School of Management and graduated with a BA in History from Washington University in St. Louis. Abigail Dean - Designer Abigail is a graphic designer residing in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood. Abigail's passion for environmental causes aligned her with Climate Cycle in the early stages of its development. With 10 years of commercial print and multimedia design experience, Abigail's diverse list of clients include: national trade associations, local rock bands, corporate coaches, business consulting firms, industrial manufacturers and energy transmission companies. Abigail brings to the table extraordinary enthusiasm for Climate Cycle, a welcome journey into a greener realm of design, which is very close to her heart. Anya Traisman - Video Director Anya's educational background is in environmental studies, multimedia journalism, media management and marketing. She is the owner of Natropolis, a consulting and media company that focuses on sustainability. As the photo editor for the Planet Magazine, Anya was given the opportunity to follow her passion for the great-outdoors and photojournalism. As a freelance photojournalist at the Bellingham Herald, she learned alongside Pulitzer Prize winning and nationally recognized photographers. The editors of America 24/7, DK Publishing, recognized Anya as one of the top student photographers in the nation, publishing her most notable photograph in a double-page spread, hardbound book. Contributing to her outlook, Anya is an international and wilderness backpacker, long-distance backpacker, and has owned a Mercedes Benz that ran on vegetable oil. She believes in thinking big and the pursuit of daily happiness. Jimmy Watkins - Designer Jimmy is a graphic designer who holds a BA in Advertising from Michigan State University, and he currently works for both Murdoch Marketing in Lansing, MI and Cramer-Krasselt and Hoffman York in Chicago. His career path runs from Michigan to Chicago and back.

Advisory Council

Suzanne Carlson Suzanne is environmental program manager in the Office of CEO Arne Duncan for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). She was brought on in May 2007 to help meet the Mayor's vision to make Chicago an environmentally friendly city and CPS an environmentally friendly school district. She has worked on transportation, climate change and energy policy in Chicago and Seattle. Previously, she served as founding executive director of a community bike shop in Seattle. Suzanne has a Masters in Public Administration. Sarah Elizabeth Ippel Sarah Elizabeth is the founder and executive director of the Academy for Global Citizenship, a new Chicago Public Elementary Contract School that opened on August 18th, 2008, on the city's Southwest side. AGC's mission is to empower children to become active global citizens by positively impacting their community and the world beyond. Throughout her career, Sarah Elizabeth has traveled to 64 different countries across 6 continents, extensively examining educational philosophies and world languages as well as creating international alliances that have contributed to the design and culture of the Academy for Global Citizenship. In addition to studying the application of the International Baccalaureate approach in various cultural contexts across the globe, her most recent initiatives have been the development and implementation of globally cooperative literacy programs for orphan children in northern Tanzania. As current vice president of education on the governing board of the United Nations Association, Sarah Elizabeth is committed to fostering implementation of The Growing Connection, a globally collaborative organic gardening initiative established to cross-culturally connect children and educators. She also serves on the United States Green Building Council Green Schools Advocacy Committee for the Chicago Chapter, Chicago Public Schools Environmental Action Plan Taskforce, and the Steering Committee for Climate Cycle. Sarah Elizabeth's additional leadership and civic contributions have included executive board memberships with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Art Institute of Chicago. Hunter Lovins Hunter is president and founder of the Natural Capitalism Solutions (NCS). (www.natcapsolutions.org) NCS educates senior decision-makers in business, government and civil society to restore and enhance the natural and human capital while increasing prosperity and quality of life. Trained as a sociologist and lawyer (JD), Hunter co- founded the California Conservation Project (Tree People), and Rocky Mountain Institute, which she led for 20 years. Lovins has consulted for scores of industries and governments worldwide, including the International Finance Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell, Interface, Clif Bar and Wal-Mart. Governmental clients include the Pentagon, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and the governments of Jamaica and Australia. She also serves as an advisor to the Energy Minister of the Government of Afghanistan. Michael Orlove Michael is a senior program director for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. He joined the Department of Cultural Affairs in 1993 as an intern in the Public Programming Division assisting on a number of performing arts series at the Chicago Cultural Center. Over the years, Michael has worked at transforming the Chicago Cultural Center into a prime venue for a variety of musical forms including jazz, blues, folk and world music. Additionally, he created two summer festivals that have become staples in the Chicago summer festival season. Chicago SummerDance, an 11-week outdoor dance/concert series (now in its 12th season) and World Music Festival: Chicago, a multi-day festival highlighting both traditional and contemporary music from around the world in a variety of venues throughout Chicago (now in its 10th season). In 2004, Michael was instrumental in organizing the opening weekend events at the new Millennium Park in downtown Chicago and is now responsible for programming a majority of the non-classical events including a series of jazz, world music and rock concerts this season. Currently, Michael serves as senior program director for the Department of Cultural Affairs and collaborates with many additional city agencies including the Mayor's Office of Special Events, Chicago Office of Tourism and the Chicago Park District on a variety of seasonal events. He was selected as one of the "Chicagoans of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune in 1999. Richard Ross Richard is an award winning marketing and strategy professional with over 18 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods and technology sectors working for and consulting with start-ups, small entrepreneurial firms and Fortune 500 firms such as The Coca-Cola Company, Kraft Foods and Intel Corporation. Over the course of his career he has launched or helped launch an IT consulting firm, a promotional goods company, an internet startup and most recently various sustainability-related businesses and organizations. His areas of expertise are branding, positioning, new product and small business development, communications, consumer insights and multicultural and grassroots marketing. He often presents at industry conferences and has written for and is often quoted in trade magazines. He holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Michigan and a BS in Biology from Emory University. He sits on the advisory boards of Climate Cycle and Steppin Out Adventures, serves as the Chicago city ambassador for The Couchsurfing Project and volunteers with a variety of other organizations including the Notebaert Nature Museum, Junior Achievement and the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center. He is an active member of the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance and Net Impact Chicago. His passions include adventure travel (which has taken him to nearly 50 countries on 5 continents and 48 U.S. states), sustainability, hiking, art, education and photography. Jason Smith Jason is the vice president of key accounts for ClimateCHECK, a greenhouse gas (GHG) management services and solutions provider. In this role, he manages the company's marketing strategies and customer relations, as well as its operations in the U.S. Prior to ClimateCHECK, Jason was the founder and executive director for LiveNeutral, a non-profit organization (where he currently serves as board chair) that is centered on educating individuals and companies on how to reduce their carbon emissions. During his tenure at LiveNeutral, Jason helped facilitate numerous CO2 offset and climate change education initiatives at major organizations, such as TransGroup Worldwide Logistics, American Electric Power, Williams-Sonoma and DuPont. Jason earned an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio School of Management and a bachelor's degree in Ethics and Religion at the University of Oklahoma, where he focused his studies on environmental ethics and economics. Lisa Brin Spewak Lisa has been a teacher of early childhood for 16 years. She is also the director of the Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) Sunflower Day Camp in Highland Park, a northern suburb of Chicago. Lisa is interested in bringing the great big ideas of renewable energy to small children in order to help them understand they can be an active part of a global solution. She continues to seek innovative ways for children to be active partners in changing our climate for the better.

Headquarters

2009-05-05T22:21:00Z

In 2008, Joey Feinstein founded Climate Cycle in Chicago out of a concern that youth didn't have the tools necessary to respond to global warming or benefit from the emerging green economy. Joey found that many share his passion, and he now works with a dedicated team. Volunteers and community alliances are at the heart of our organization and our partnerships include Motorola Foundation, Chicago Public Schools, local schools, government, green businesses and individuals. Our inaugural bike-a-thon in May 2009 raised $67,000; this shows the impact we can have when working together for just one year. Of the participating Chicago Public Schools, six showed tremendous enthusiasm and support in the 2009 Solar Schools Ride and as a result are recipients of solar panels and Climate Cycle programming. This year, we hope to triple our impact and giving. The Chicagoland Office also serves as the headquarters for Climate Cycle, a grassroots organization that is growing to have a national presence. The Chicago office welcomes schools from across the Chicagoland area to participate in its Solar Schools Ride and apply to become a Solar School. Join the clean energy movement! Become a rider, team captain, or volunteer. Email info@climatecycle.org with any ideas and questions.

California Office

2009-05-01T05:38:06Z

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the California Climate Cycle office in July 2010!

This office will serve the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding communities in Climate Cycle's expansion out west. We anticipate a Solar Schools Ride to benefit Bay Area schools in 2011. Much like the Chicago Solar Schools ride, schools are encouraged to participate in the ride and apply to become a Solar School, a recipient of solar panels and Climate Cycle programming.

Climate Cycle's effectiveness is in large part due to our strong community partnerships, creative sponsorships, and dedicated volunteers, so we welcome ideas, thoughts, and questions. If you'd like more information about the California office, contact Jessica Waggoner, California Director of Climate Cycle, at jessica@climatecycle.org.

Thanks to Kate Drane and all the remote riders who raised over $700!

Volunteer

2009-04-28T23:28:12Z

Thank you to the 300+ stellar volunteers who made our 2010 Solar Schools Ride such a success! Your enthusiasm, take-initiative attitude, and dedication to the cause made for an inspiring event. People were really moved by the event, and it's because of volunteers like you. We couldn't have done this without you!

We are currently looking for assistance at public outreach events and communications support. If you are interested in volunteering or interning for Climate Cycle, please email hanh@climatecycle.org. Many thanks for your generosity in time and talent!

Donate

2009-04-10T02:35:42Z

Last year, Chicago schools spent more on energy costs than on textbooks or computers. Please help us free up resources for education, while providing an on-site learning opportunity. By absorbing the upfront cost of the solar energy system, schools are able to generate their own clean energy for decades. Please help us to continue providing more schools with clean solar energy and sustainability education.

The Cause

2009-04-10T02:35:36Z

Global warming caused by global CO2 emissions is one of the most urgent issues facing humanity. Global CO2 emissions reached 6.5 billion tons in 2000, with 75% being caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. We are the cause of global warming; but also possess the tools and ingenuity to combat it. Did you know that buildings contribute more CO2 emissions than cars? For this reason, solar energy systems can dramatically reduce the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide that are byproducts of energy use. For example, a 15-panel solar hot water system can prevent 15 tons of CO2 emissions every year. Most solar energy systems are designed to last more than 30 years, thus the CO2 emission savings over the life of this system is easily 450 tons. While solar energy is a solution to environmental issues that threaten our planet, it also provides additional benefits that are more visible and practical in our local communities, expanding well beyond the walls of the building. Conserving tax money, keeping energy dollars close to home and making Chicagoland a model for renewable energy education are just a few of the benefits of installing solar energy systems in our schools. Illinois imports tens of billions of dollars in energy each year. Our Solar Schools Program utilizes local solar contractors and U.S. manufactured equipment whenever possible, helping to strengthen the local economy.

Why Solar In Schools?

2008-05-17T01:22:04Z

Enough solar energy hits the earth each minute to power the planet for an entire year. Solar energy, however, is largely untapped because most of our energy comes from imported fossil fuels. The need for energy independence has never been greater. Schools spend more on utilities than books and computers combined. Therefore, a majority of these taxpayer dollars are leaving our communities. Buildings generate more carbon emissions than cars, trains and planes altogether. Schools are an ideal placement for renewable energy systems because they save money while offering an effective climate change solution with educational benefits. Climate Cycle absorbs the upfront cost of the solar system, and the complementary curriculum give youth the knowledge and skills to respond to climate change. By working with local public schools, we bring the green economy into our schools and neighborhoods and make it accessible to all. Our selection criteria for our Solar Schools program ensures that the systems provide the most value and promote leadership throughout all levels of a school.

Solar

2008-04-28T22:59:39Z

Solar systems utilize energy from the sun to generate electricity, heat water and provide space heat. Solar energy can help replace the use of fossil fuels, helping to stabilize the climate, reduce pollution and save resources. Solar Electricity (Photovoltaic or PV) Electricity is generated when sunlight hits the solar cells and produces an electric current. This electricity can either be used right away, fed to the electric power grid or stored in batteries for later use. Solar electric technology is advancing quickly and increasing in popularity. It can be used to power a small calculator or an entire building. Solar cells come in many forms, including flexible solar laminates, shingles, glass, film and panels. They can be integrated into a building so that the solar cell is nearly invisible. Solar Heat and Hot Water (Solar Thermal) Solar panels are used to capture heat for pools, hot water or space heating. This is a mature technology that has been used for many centuries. Most solar thermal panels are more efficient than solar electric panels and can be up to 90% efficient. There are three common designs for these solar collectors. One design is a glass covered box painted black where a fluid runs through the panels, capturing the heat. Plastic panels are often used for heating swimming pools, where water runs through coils. Evacuated tube panels consist of numerous glass tubes that can generate high temperatures.