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Over 175 people attended the event on July 22nd, and with a great eco-venue, upbeat music, and delicious drinks and food, everyone had a good time.
We couldn't have asked for a better welcome into the Bay!
]]>Thanks for your support Whole Foods!
As
an organization, Climate Cycle is founded on the belief that each Today, we find ourselves in the midst of what many are calling the worst ecological crisis in US history, and it's washing up on American shores. As we call upon BP and politicians for answers, let us not ignore it is we Americans who consume five times more oil per capita than the average world citizen.1 Although BP negligently ignored safety warnings and took shortcuts, they are filling our demand like other oil and energy giants. Much like BP, we too are ignoring nature's safety warnings with our ever-rising consumption of fossil fuels.
Over time, issues like energy have become
increasingly politically contentious. Yet it was W. Bush's 7th State
of the Union Address that he declared "America is addicted to
oil." As unnerving as the rallying cry of "drill baby drill" is to
many of us, it is the message that is sent to oil rigs and volatile
regimes all over the world every time we fill our gas tank, whether
white, brown, Republican, Democrat, man or woman.
At 12:40 p.m. today, I am flying to Brussels, Belgium. The arrangements have been made by the U.S. Mission to the EU so that I can share ideas on sustainability and education with European delegates in the days leading up to Europe's Earth Day on June 5th. It is an awesome honor. At the same time, the irony of traveling in a gas guzzling jumbo jet across the ocean to discuss issues of climate and energy is an unsettling juxtaposition. For all I know, this plane could be filled with fuel from underwater wells like the one that is gushing out of control.
Although it is easier to look back 1,000 years than forward 50 years,
the oil spills lining our seas pale by comparison to what catastrophic
climate change could look like within our children's lifetime. Society
is dragging anchor and in danger of ecologically capsizing. Where 
this will exactly lead nobody knows, but we
must beware of the rocks. As in times of great crises, it is
imperative we each do our part to stem the tide.
To this end, upon returning from Europe, I pledge to donate my car to charity and convert most of my long distance travels from airplane to train. While such decisions require increased travel time commitments, until the crude method of combustion we are reliant upon is rendered obsolete, time is of the essence in reducing our fossil fuel riddled ways.
Let us not allow the miracles of the modern age we all enjoy become dynamite in disguise for the children we love. Together, we can ensure that our greatest dangers become opportunities for a societal renaissance on par with the Industrial, Space Age and Computer Revolutions.
To refueling our future,Joey Feinstein
Founder and Executive Director1 World Watch Institute - http://www.worldwatch.org/node/808
Photo: Tricia Koning
"I've never seen a group of prouder kids than when we completed the Solar Schools Ride. The kids actually choose to push themselves to go an additional mile and a half down the course because, "then more people will know what we're doing and think about why solar power is important." Of course, this made for a rather challenging return trip, but despite fatigue and the relentless head wind, every student completed the course. I think their endurance was summed up by Rose who, about a mile from the end, wiped out and landed smack in a mud puddle. When we asked Rose if she wanted to walk and cut across the hill to get back sooner said, "No! We have to finish together. This is too important not to finish." ~Tracy Kwock, Director of Partnerships, Polaris Charter Academy]]>
Photo: Tricia Koning
Several thousand students were exposed to a variety of environmental efforts largely spearheaded by visionary Curie History teacher Josh Parker.
These included:
Location: REI on 1466 N Halsted
Time: 6:30 - 8 pm
We'll have snacks and drinks.
Join in on the fun and be a team captain!
If you have questions or need more information, please email us at info@climatecycle.org
Top Ten "A-ha!" Moments Generated by attendees of the April 1st Team Captains meeting 1. Make it easy for people to donate. Put you're a fundraising page link in your email signature, in your Facebook profile, and anywhere else you are in the public light. Be sure to share a compelling reason why this cause means so much to you. 2. If you pledge to fundraise any amount over the fundraising minimum, you aren't required to reach it (although we would love it if you did!). Some rides will charge you for the remaining amount, but we don't play that game. 3. Cast the net wide to make your team big. From spouses and family members of your co-workers, everyone is invited to ride! You never know who will ride. 4. Get a close friend or family to give a matching donation for every donation over $100 (or some other amount). Create a game out of your donations and encourage people to go big! 5. Throw a house party! Ask for a suggested donation at the door because people have a tendency to give more in social situations. You can get food and drinks donated, and raffle off art or have a silent auction. Many bars will split the door charge with you if you'd like to hold an event there. 6. If you are close to your fundraising goal, increase it. No need to put a cap to your success. People like to donate to success! 7. Reach out to businesses in your neighborhood and get their support. Maybe they will donate a raffle prize for your house party or pies for dessert. We have plenty of posters and postcards for friendly businesses as well. 8. Organize a training ride to increase enthusiasm and prepare for the ride. Have a pre-ride party! 9. If you are a school Team Captain, consider arranging to get a fleet of bikes for your students to ride. 10. Be persistent. Look, we're all human. Most of us have the best intentions but get easily distracted. A friendly, enthusiastic, and upbeat reminder is always welcome. Acknowledge and thank those who have donated and the procrastinators will follow suite. For a PDF of the these "A-ha" moments, click here.]]>
The $10,000 grant will be awarded to the top high school fundraising team and can be used by the winning school to make an ongoing difference on their campus, funding programs that help the school improve the community's access to sport and/or sustainability-related activities that will benefit the community. For more information about how your school can qualify, email us at info@climatecycle.org.
]]>We want to extend thanks and appreciation to the all the speakers, sponsors and volunteers for making the evening fun, informative and inspiring.
Special thanks to our speakers including Ginger Zee who braved the blustery conditions and warmed everyone as the MC at the inaugural 2010 ride and has been a supporter since the origin of Climate Cycle. Long time supporter Eileen Sweeney, Executive Director of the Motorola Foundation, who has was critical in getting Climate Cycle several solar school installations and who we owe a huge debt of thanks. Cyclist Chuck Frank, who was the top fundraiser at our inaugural ride in 2009 and has also been an invaluable member of our volunteer team,. High School History Teacher Josh Parker led the top fundraising team
We would like to recognize and thank the following sponsors for their donations and time: Hannah's Bretzel, Half Acre Beer Company, Raw Creations, Era of Elegance, INDO Design, Argo Tea and Mindful Metropolis. Without them all the food, beverage and fun would not have been possible
One final huge thanks to child care provided by Lisa Spewak, Director of Early Childhood Education at the
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It was our volunteers that allowed us to maximize our resources and meet our 2009 Goals. We now look to 2010 and ask for your help.
Time: 5:30PM doors open; 6 - 7 orientation
Date: September 23, 2009
Location: ING CAFE Chicago - 21 E. Chestnut Street
RSVP to info@climatecycle.org
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