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OUR GUIDELINES FOR CREATING A FUN RIDE FOR EVERYONE

Dear Participants,

We hope this message finds you well and excited about our upcoming event! As part of our commitment to building meaningful connections and facilitating productive conversations about the future of our planet, we have some guidelines for how participants can help us nurture a positive and inclusive atmosphere at our events.

At Climate Ride, we recognize the importance of environmental consciousness and the impact our collective efforts can have on addressing the challenges facing our planet. We appreciate the passion and concern our participants share for the environment and we believe a supportive community involves respecting diverse perspectives and approaches to environmental responsibility.

Thousands of people come to Climate Ride to get involved in fundraising for many causes including bike/pedestrian advocacy, clean energy, conservation, social justice, and climate solutions. Given the imbalance in funding and charitable giving for these efforts relative to other causes, we are focused on growing the number of people who feel engaged and comfortable in our community.

Additionally, there are inequalities and differences in what we can do personally depending on income, access, and location. What may work in California may not work in South Dakota, and vice versa. Our goal is to help people on their journey to protect our planet, and that journey takes many different paths.

Climate shaming, or any form of singling out individuals based on their environmental practices, can create a negative and divisive atmosphere. Our events aim to unite people, inspire positive change, and encourage collaboration and collective action. We want everyone to feel comfortable participating without fear of judgment.

We are a community that attracts participants from all levels of engagement to the environmental crisis. You might be a bike commuter with a plant-based diet looking to direct more funding to bike advocacy. Or a person with a sense of adventure who is new to environmental action but wants to join a community of people who lift each other up. You may be new to cycling and wish to seek out a new form of travel. One person might have the extra vacation time, money, and equipment to bike or take a train to an event, while another person may be doing everything they can just to get there. One person may feel passionate about reducing their personal carbon footprint, while another may be more concerned about specific policy changes, and yet another person may be joining Climate Ride for an entirely different reason. 

It’s not lost on us that when the environment is involved, some people feel more compelled to criticize. If one were participating in a cancer ride that had fossil fuel sponsors, would anyone notice? But when someone overtly stands up for the environment and climate, suddenly there are questions about one’s food choices, travel choices, clothing choices, building choices, recycling choices — even their pet food. Where does that come from? It’s important to learn where the concept of the carbon footprint originated (spoiler alert: it was created by a PR firm for British Petroleum to deflect attention from their pollution by encouraging individuals to account for their carbon use).

While reducing personal carbon footprints is important, addressing the systemic issues contributing to the climate crisis is vital. Considering that fewer 100 energy companies have been responsible for 71% of all industrial emissions since human-driven climate change was officially recognized, governments, corporations, and institutions must implement policies that promote renewable energy, invest in sustainable infrastructure, and regulate emissions from major industries. How do we make this happen? Interestingly, research shows that focusing solely on individual efforts can lead to guilt and overwhelm, making people feel their contributions are futile. Yet together, we can support larger movements, engage in activism, and advocate for policies promoting a low-carbon future.

Keep this all in mind if you hear criticism from a friend as you embark on your climate advocacy journey. It’s an important opportunity to change this dialogue. Remind people that the environment is the least funded sector in American philanthropy and that Climate Ride grants are the largest grants that many nonprofits receive. The funds from Glacier Ride alone rank as the largest individual gift to the Glacier Park Conservancy. Climate Riders help create momentum and incredible opportunities for the environmental movement, such as fully underwriting Green Fondo events so that 100% of every dollar goes to nonprofits. And we keep striving for a net-positive impact (check out our Tailwinds Fund).

Whatever your perspective, we encourage open dialogue and sharing ideas related to viable sustainable practices. If you have suggestions for how we can collectively reduce our environmental footprint or improve our events in this regard, please reach out to us directly.

We’re incredibly proud of you. You are in a community of thousands of adventurers, supported by hundreds of thousands of donors, who get that the fight for our planet can’t happen if we stay at home and miss out on the chance to join together and inspire action. It’s ok to be imperfect. It’s vital that we show up.

As always, let’s celebrate our shared commitment to a sustainable future in a way that unites rather than divides. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We can’t wait to see you!

Wishing you tailwinds,

The CR Team