Mission
Climate Access generates the political and public support and social capital needed to advance action at the pace and scale the climate emergency requires by developing and sharing effective communication and engagement strategies and building the capacity of a diverse range of messengers to engage their networks in change.
Vision
Climate Access aims to motivate people in communities across the country to support strong policies and take steps in their own lives to address climate change through equitable and inclusive citizen engagement and values-based narratives.
Approach
Climate Access is engaging the public as partners in developing and implementing solutions that address the climate crisis and meet the needs of Americans including those most impacted by the impacts of climate change and the transition to clean energy and low-carbon economies. Climate Access does this through the creation and testing of new communication and engagement strategies in partnership with nonprofits and government agencies that draw from research and best practices in the field and by increasing the capacity of a diverse range of messengers to apply what’s working in their outreach efforts via a 4,500 member plus learning network representing nonprofit, government, academic, community, health, youth Indigenous and other leaders.
Climate Access has a long track record overcoming pervasive barriers to action and political divides by creating and amplifying values-based frames and narratives and inclusive engagement campaigns. Whether working on local, regional, state, national or international issues, we focus on making climate change relatable and generating the social capital needed for change from the community level up.
Programs
Learn more about our three program areas: Strategic Framing & Storytelling, Activation & Engagement, and Capacity Building.
Support our Work
As a nonprofit organization, we couldn't do this work without you. Please consider making a donation today.
Our Team
CARA PIKE
Executive Director
Cara Pike is the founder and executive director of Climate Access. Cara is a pioneer and leading thinker in climate communications. With more than two decades of experience, Cara’s expertise has been sought by nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and government agencies including the City of Boston, the State of Vermont, EPA, FEMA, Urban Sustainability Directors Network, Union of Concerned Scientist, and others. She regularly advises government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Her studies and toolkits on environmental engagement translate complex issues into actionable strategies that are helping thousands of climate advocates more effectively frame sustainability issues and promote behavior change. Cara is also executive director of Climate Access’s partner organization, Re.Climate.
MEREDITH HERR
Deputy Director
Meredith (she/her) plays a lead role in the production and curation of strategic communications and outreach tools for climate leaders. Her enthusiasm for the field began during her time at Earthjustice where she investigated the social values that influence environmental engagement. Previously, Meredith explored the dynamics of personal and societal transformation with grassroots social change leaders as an assistant research scientist at the Research Center for Leadership in Action. Meredith has a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Vassar College and a Masters of Public Administration in Public Policy Analysis from New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
MARIANA OCHOA
Senior Communication Strategist
Mariana (she/her) focuses on storytelling and engaging community members towards climate action in their communities. To Mariana, the world feels larger when she is able to to reimagine what it would look like if people’s needs were met and we were all free to thrive. She is energized by being in community with folks and building power alongside them. Her background includes community organizing and civic engagement through digital communications in her hometown of Miami, occupied land of Tequesta, Seminole and Miccosukee indigenous nations. As an immigrant from Peru, Mariana also has a traditional media focused communications background in immigrant rights. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Florida International University.
LAUREN GRAHAMBoard of Directors
- Nancy Hirshberg - Hirshberg Strategic
- Jack Chin - Independent Consultant
- Buck Parker - Strategic Advisor, Earthjustice
- Elena Marszalek Bekmyrza - Del Mar Global Trust
- Apollo Gonzales - Nimbus Strategies, Inc.
Partners