Theory of Change

In the future we envision, the world embraces renewable energy, electric transport, breakthrough technologies and market policies to achieve carbon neutrality by the mid-century. We drive to crags, trailheads, and renewably powered ski areas in zero-emission vehicles; individuals and industries pay a fair price for their carbon footprint; and elected officials from all parties at all levels of government make
addressing climate their top policy priority.

Here are the things we need to get there:

Solving the climate crisis is possible

Based on estimates in the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, we have just over a decade to drastically curb our emissions to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Staying at or below 1.5˚C means we have to slash our greenhouse gas emissions 45 percent below 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

We know, it sounds like a massive task. But we believe that solving the climate crisis is not only possible, but within our reach.

What will it take?

We believe it takes three things to solve the climate crisis:

  1. Technological & Financial Solutions: We must incentivize a clean energy future (think big-scale renewables and storage, tax credits and carbon pricing).
  2. Political Will: With the right people in public office, we can work with them to make climate a top policy priority.
  3. Cultural Shift: Our nation’s attitude about climate change needs to shift, so that not acting on climate is no longer an option.

Where Do You Come In?

The outdoor community (that’s you!) knows the importance of ultra-thin margins. The seemingly small efforts made at just the right moments carry enough weight to tip the scale from failure to success. Well, environmental and political history are also made at the margins. Did you know that just 77,000 votes in key districts won the 2016 presidential election? Or that only three Senate votes opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling?

Our theory of change hinges on the belief that the outdoor community can have a disproportionate impact by driving civic participation at those thin margins.

By focusing our efforts in critical geographies and creating local activations, we believe that we can educate, register and turn out enough voters to shift our nation’s response to the climate crisis.

To solve the climate crisis, the world needs our community. It’s the sum of our small efforts—where we turn our passion into purpose—and deliver climate victories where they’re needed most.

 

Turn Your Passion into Action

When we create swells of popular pressure, we can affect policy. And it’s working—but we need more passionate outdoor people to use their voice and help create climate victories where they’re needed most.