Three Years of Tackling Eco-Anxiety at OneGreenThing - We were created at 421 ppm CO2, now we're at 427 ppm

Happy Earth Day & BIRTHDAY to OneGreenThing!

April 21, 2021 was the day we launched OneGreenThing. It's been three years since we took a leap to launch this nonprofit to both raise awareness around the mental health impacts of the climate crisis & to offer joyful, daily solutions that are personal to everyone.

We launched the organization on 4.21.21 because on April 4, 2021 the earth reached a troubling milestone.On April 4, 2021, Mauna Loa Observatory reported a record 421 ppm of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. On 4.21.24, Mauna Loa reported 427 ppm.

Mauna Loa has been tracking atmospheric CO2 levels since the 1950s (when we were at 315 ppm). This record level of 421 ppm signaled that the world is on track to double atmospheric carbon from pre-industrial levels by 2060. This doubling could lead to a potential 4.1 to 8.1 degree Fahrenheit rise in temperature if climate change is not addressed. This is a "wake up" call that it's time to act on climate.

In April 2021, I knew that the young people were becoming more anxious about the climate crisis and the future we are leaving them. I realized, too, that it was time dig into the research on "eco-anxiety" and the mental health impacts of the climate crisis and also figure out a way for more people to "see" themselves in climate action.

My colleague Emily Fowler, Chief of Start Up of OneGreenThing, and I had countless conversations during the pandemic about how our kids were inspiring us to take our advocacy to a new level. We also knew the toll that unchecked power of the fossil fuel industry and the gridlock on Capitol Hill for meaningful climate action was taking on our kid's view of the future.

As Gen Xers, we thought we were the most cynical generation. We were so wrong. Our kids are way more jaded, less trustful in government, but more attuned to their own power. They inspired us to do more.

With the support of the dynamic OGT board of directors, national advisory council, and Gen Z council, and Chief of Start Up Emily Fowler, on 4.21.21, we shared the mission of OneGreenThing with the world.

With teachers at Community Roots Academy in California

Our goal is to tackle eco-anxiety through joyful daily action, creating culture change for climate solutions.

The day that we launched this new nonprofit in 2021, I received my book deal to write and publish One Green Thing: Discover Your Hidden Power to Help Save the Planet. Harper Horizon, a Harper Collins imprint, published it on April 19, 2022.

In Year One, I wrote the book and also worked with Emily and the board (Chaired by Mindy Simon) to lay the groundwork for the nonprofit with webinars, blogs, and outreach to K-12 schools.

Emily Fowler, Heather White and Board Chair Mindy Simon at TEDXBoston

Year Two was focused on getting the message out that the climate crisis is the biggest crisis of our time and we all have a unique role to play. We created the foundation for the nonprofit.

I spoke at Clinton Global Initiative, TEDXBoston, and countless other conferences.

Good Morning America, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Teen Vogue carried our message of tackling eco-anxiety through joyful daily action. We got feedback from educators about our concept for K-12 curriculum and conducted teacher trainings.

Year Three was all about getting ready to scale our educational programming and operations.

Good Morning America

In our first 3 years, OneGreenThing impact included:

• Reaching 15 million people via print, radio & podcast media interviews

• Connecting with over 25,000 followers via digital channels

• Inspiring 10,000+ people to take the Service Superpower Assessment

• Collaborating IRL with people across the globe, including speaking at the World Happiness Summit in London, Silicon Valley Reads, at K-12 schools & universities and companies across the country

• Test driving our K-12 curriculum on managing climate anxiety and creating your unique path in climate action

• Hosting webinars with the foundation community about the need for philanthropic support for climate anxiety with our colleagues at the Climate Mental Health Network

The last three years have surpassed my wildest dreams. I even launched another book - 60 Days to a Greener Life, a day reader to ease eco-anxiety and encourage more people to "see themselves" in climate action. My paperback Eco-Anxiety: Saving Our Sanity, Our Kids, and Our Future will be published September 24, 2024.

I am so grateful and humbled by all the support for our mission, the excitement about our hopeful message in the work of our nonprofit and my books. Of course, we are so thankful for the generous donations of people from around the country and to the thousands that have joined our community.

Here are a few highlights:

Finally, what a thrill to celebrate Earth Month, OneGreenThing's third anniversary, and the launch of my day reader 60 Days to a Greener Life on the West Coast at UTA (United Talent Agency).  to OneGreenThing board member René Jones and the UTA foundation and its talented team, who hosted our board of directors and national advisory council at their beautiful facilities. Emily and I celebrated early with our Board of Directors, National Advisory Council and members of the community at UTA in Beverly Hills.

Hosted by UTA Foundation, a reception and panel conversation inspired action through leadership, activism, and community engagement. Moderated by our CEO Heather White, the panel consisted of OGT Board member Maya Penn, Eco-Hero Andrea Ambriz, and actor/activist Calum Worthy.

Read more about the event & see more pictures on our BLOG.

Photo credit: AB Images Benjamin Shmikler 

Onward to more impact, more possibility, and more joy.

The 427 ppm level at our 3rd anniversary remains a clarion call for EVERYONE to get involved in this movement. Everyone is welcome; everyone is needed. We CAN create a greener, healthier, more just future.

Thank you for the love and support!