Elliott Powell joins us this year for his first Climate Ride! Years ago, Elliott served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua (where he actually met his wife, who was also serving in the Peace Corps!). Today, he oversees all of the international programs and local staff in Central America as the Field Program Director for Sustainable Harvest International, a Climate Ride beneficiary.
“My main motivation is riding on behalf of Sustainable Harvest International, but there’s also a personal component. I am a big bike commuter and ride 25 miles a day to and from work, but I have never done a multi-day bike trip,” explains Elliott. “I’ve always wanted to do a ride like this,” he adds.
Sustainable Harvest International is an organization based in Ellsworth, Maine, that works with small-scale farmers in Belize, Panama, and Honduras to preserve the environment and fight poverty through sustainable agriculture. “We work with communities and farmers who are living at the front line of climate change,” Elliott describes.
Climate Ride is a great opportunity to connect the dots from where the organization operates in the states to what they do abroad. When asked what he is most looking forward to about this Climate Ride, he said, “Meeting other folks and creating connections with those who are like-minded and also taking action for climate change and environmental sustainability.”
Although only a small and mighty team of one, Elliott’s enthusiasm is contagious, and he already plans to be back again next year with a larger team for Sustainable Harvest International. Their office, which will be along the route today, is organizing a Rider Rally at 10:15 am, September 8, to cheer on all of the Northeast Climate Riders as they pass through downtown Ellsworth. Learn more here, and if you’re in the area, meet you there!
Read more about Elliott’s motivations for joining Climate Ride and donate to his fundraising efforts here!
