Our Climate
A 12-month fellowship with a youth-led 501(c)(3) organization advocating for equitable climate policy at the state and federal level. Based in Portland, Oregon.
Youth-led advocacy for climate justice.
Our Climate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers young people to advocate for equitable climate policy. The fellowship program trains cohorts of young organizers in legislative strategy, constituent communication, and grassroots campaign management — then deploys them across states with active climate legislation.
As a fellow from November 2019 through October 2020, Evan was based in Portland, Oregon and worked on coordinated advocacy campaigns across multiple states. The work included direct lobbying — meeting with state and federal representatives — as well as community outreach, phone banking, digital organizing, and coalition building with environmental justice organizations.
The fellowship cohort contributed to significant legislative victories in three states: New York, Massachusetts, and Oregon. These wins collectively represented some of the most ambitious climate policy commitments in the United States at the time.
Active states with legislative victories.
Our Climate fellows worked across the country. Highlighted states represent where the cohort achieved measurable policy wins during the 2019-2020 fellowship cycle.
New York
Massachusetts
Oregon
Three states, three victories.
Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA)
The most ambitious climate legislation in the country at the time of passage. Mandates 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Our Climate fellows organized constituent calls, participated in lobby days in Albany, and built grassroots support across Western New York.
~$500M for Green Energy Retrofits
Secured approximately $500 million in funding for green energy building retrofits across the state. Fellows coordinated with local representatives and testified in support of equitable retrofit programs targeting low-income communities and environmental justice neighborhoods.
Governor's Executive Order on Climate
Supported passage of an executive order establishing emissions reduction targets after the state legislature failed to pass cap-and-trade legislation. Portland-based fellows organized community pressure campaigns and coordinated with state advocacy groups.
Twelve months of organizing.
Fellowship Begins
Selected as an Our Climate Fellow. Began training in Portland, Oregon on climate policy communication, legislative strategy, and community organizing.
State-Level Advocacy Campaigns
Launched coordinated advocacy campaigns across active states. Conducted representative meetings, phone banks, and community outreach events.
Federal Lobby Day
Traveled to Washington, D.C. for federal-level advocacy. Met with congressional offices to advocate for climate legislation and environmental justice funding.
Digital Organizing Pivot
Transitioned all organizing to digital platforms during COVID-19. Led virtual town halls, Zoom lobby meetings, and social media campaigns to sustain momentum.
Legislative Wins
Celebrated passage of key climate policies across multiple states. The fellowship cohort contributed to victories in New York, Massachusetts, and Oregon.
Fellowship Concludes
Completed the 12-month fellowship. Continued climate advocacy work through other channels and applied fellowship skills to subsequent civic engagement projects.
The fellowship ended in October 2020, but the policies it helped pass continue to shape how states approach climate action. The CLCPA remains one of the most comprehensive climate laws in the country. The retrofits funded in Massachusetts are still being deployed. And the organizing skills Evan built during these twelve months informed every civic project that followed.