The Global Climate Pledge and the Rotary Climate Action Team (RCAT) Network have joined forces to support commitment and action to address the climate crisis. The evolution of active participation starts with “curiosity” and leads inevitably to “advocacy”. Whether you are new to the climate movement or you are already an international Rotarian and climate leader with many years of experience, this is for you! Tackling the climate crisis is one of our generations biggest challenges, but we believe that TOGETHER, we can achieve success.

If you are concerned about our deteriorating environment, start with this pledge and commit to take at least one new action.

Rotary Club, Organization, Business or Government Pledge

• We have the power to make a positive difference in our climate crisis.
• We will use our power to do everything we can, through our actions and our voice, to bring about change. We will lead and encourage others to work as a team to solve this challenge.
• Together, we will succeed!
• The change begins here, with us, now.

Individual Pledge

• I have the power to make a positive difference in our climate crisis.
• I will use my power to do everything I can, through my actions and my voice, to bring about change. I will lead and encourage others to work as a team to solve this challenge.
• Together, we will succeed!
• The change begins here, with me, now.

Rotary has innumerable resources to help you and your club as you take action.  Please consider these resources and feel free to ask for additional connections using our CONTACT link.

Support worldwide Rotary climate action by uploading a 70 second video of your project! Your submission will inspire others to follow in your footsteps and share in your successes across the world.

In your 70 second video, consider including the following:

1. Project name
2. Club name, district and state
3. Project target (select): 1) Electricity Production, 2) Coastal/Oceans, 3) Food/Agriculture/Land use, 4) Industry, 5) Transportation, 6) Buildings, 7) Climate Inequality, or 8) Other.
4. Project type: 1) Individual/Home, 2) Business, 3) Local or International Community, or 4) Governmental Advocacy
5. Short project description (goal or achievements to date)
6. Contact name and email

Things to consider when putting together your video

• Your audience will be other Rotary clubs considering starting their own projects, so the target is to share the core of what you are doing.
• Images of the work or results of the work are valued by most audiences.
• There are a few key items to cover in the video itself: Club, District, Target, Type, and Goal. You can leave the contact information to the attached form.
• A picture of the club’s Action Team members is a great addition to the video.
• 70 seconds may not be a long time, but you can pack in a lot of information. Write up a simple script a do a practice run-throughs to get an idea of the timing. Watch the SAMPLE video to get an idea of how it might look and feel.
• Have fun doing this as it will communicate through the video.

Example Project

Fill out this simple form and upload your video now

We invite you join other Rotary clubs around the world and become part of the Rotary Climate Action Team (RCAT) Network.  Create an Action Team, utilize the Network’s club presenters and support services, join the Network, start multiple projects, and share the results with other clubs.

The Rotary Climate Action Team Network is available to assist with several of the steps in this implementation plan.  Contact us using the Request for Support Form or at [email protected].

The suggested steps to ACTION might include:

1. Understanding Rotary International’s New Area of Focus

The September 2020 Policy Statement was presented to clubs as a comprehensive set of aspirational goals for the new area of focus: Protecting the Environment.  Each of the eight goals addresses one of three critical areas: 1) our environment, 2) climate change, or 3) justice.

Clubs considering an Action Team may want to familiarize themselves with this powerful and intentional policy statement.

2. Understanding Your Club’s Position in the Community

Every Rotary club has worked to develop a position of trust in their community, through the membership, the projects undertaken and the ties to other organizations.  Rotary clubs are seen as quality partners in any situation, an organization that can be counted on to perform.  This position in the community is key to optimizing the Action Team’s focus and taking powerful steps to make a difference in protecting our environment.

Some items to consider:

1. An assessment of the membership to determine the breadth of reach into the community (government, non-profit, business, and Rotary district) and strengths based on years of service (skills and expertise)
2. A review of the projects completed over the last few years based on magnitude of impact on, and acceptance by, the community at large
3. The passion of the Action Team members from personal history and interests.

3. Developing your action team

• Building your team
  • Invite interested club members to join
  • Begin regular action team meetings (via Zoom if appropriate)
  • Create a club “Climate Action Statement”
• Developing a Communication and Engagement Plan for the Club

There is no right way to bring the Action Team’s interests to the club’s attention, but it is critical that the process be carefully considered so that all the club members feel included and engaged in whatever the Action Team wants to pursue.  This Engagement Plan might include:

• Presentation of a “Climate Action Statement” to the board
• Presentation of the statement to the whole club
• Development and maintenance of an Action Team Calendar to include guest speakers, project activities and member engagement activities
• Regular update presentations to the club membership, from the formation process to project activities
• Regular education for members through short “Climate Minute” presentations in meetings and a “Climate Corner” update in the club’s regular newsletter
• Brainstorming sessions with the entire club to foster engagement
• Regular invitation to other club members to join; use the Action Team as a membership tool

4. Determining Specific Focus that Works for your Action Team

Based on the Rotary Policy Statement and the club’s position in the community, define the:

1. Priority order of the eight Policy Statements’ goals based on your team’s priorities (what do you consider the most important for the club to address)
2. Priority order of the clubs position in the community based on history (relationships with government, community groups, businesses, and within Rotary)
3. Priority order of the skills and expertise of the Action Team members, as well as club members (organizational, financial, leadership, project, logistical, etc)

Consider, based on the resulting list from these three areas, what is the optimal use of the Action Team, in terms of focus and potential projects.

• Seek out other resources, like Project Drawdown and their Drawdown Review, to understand more about the potential for real reductions in CO2 in the short and long term.  Various key resources are available here.
• Create a list of “all” the possible projects the Action Team might undertake
• Identify the few that rise to the top of the list
• Put together a summary description of each for the Action Team’s review and selection
• Finally, do a detailed description of the selected project(s):
  • Vision
  • Goals
  • Requirements
  • Plans
  • Management processes

5. Outreach to other clubs and the district

• Share Action Team developments, their “statement” and activities with the district staff
• Track the RCAT Network and the projects of other clubs to evaluate potential partnering and insights; highlight project successes and share them with the Network