Climate Cycle: Inspiring Students to Green the World

Climate Cycle sponsors eco-friendly, community-based activities that raise funds for solar panels that are then placed on school buildings.

The Problem

Climate change represents an existential crisis for future generations. Climate cycle's mission is to inspire America's youth to internalize their commitment to greening our world. Climate Cycle focuses on both reducing mankind's environmental footprint while enhancing the personal health of its members. Global warming, the growing obesity epidemic, the need for more parity in our economy are the reasons why Climate Cycle is investing in our country's youth now.

The Solution

Climate Cycle sponsors eco-friendly, community-based activities that raise funds for solar panels that are placed on school buildings. To date, some 1,500 students have participated in their annual Ride to Recharge program, an annual event in downtown Chicago that since 2009 has raised more than $400,000 for green schools, installing 15 solar panel arrays across 13 schools. Climate Cycle has also funded dozens of projects in schools across Chicago, from pedal-powered classrooms in which stationary bikes charge batteries that run classroom appliances, solar backpack-making clubs that power portable electronic devices, urban agricultural projects, composting, and other waste-reduction efforts.