The Brighter Planet Blog

November was another exciting month for the Project Fund – Brighter Planet community members sent in 24 worthy project proposals from fifteen states to fight climate change in their hometowns.

After a grand total of 6792 votes cast over two weeks, the results are in. We’re happy to announce that the SustainUS: Agents of Change project in Washington, DC will receive $5,000 to help send a youth delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December.

The delegation will be be comprised of 27 climate leaders, all under the age of 26. In their own words, “We’ve met with six senators, pushed for local or student government resolutions on climate change, hosted more than 65 days of action or events, collected 500+ petition signatures, and been featured in local media articles in Hawaii, North Carolina, New York and more.”

The funds will cover travel expenses and ensure that economic status does not limit anyone’s ability to make his or her voice heard. Outreach efforts will continue when the delegates return from Copenhagen, as they share their experiences with communities in the US and increase local engagement and knowledge. Also, we’re ensuring their trip is carbon neutral by donating Offsets by Brighter Planet.

Other top projects include an effort to build a community-owned biopower plant in West Virginia, a bicycle renting program on the University of West Florida campus, and an initiative by the Cascade Harvest Coalition to eat local for Thanksgiving.

Project proposals are already rolling in for December’s voting period. Be sure to check back when the polls open again on December 1^st!

-Matt V