Better Future Project is excited to announce two programs for Summer 2012!

The joint application form is available here.

Climate Summer continues! We’re working hard to build on the relationships and lessons of the first three years of Climate Summer, & we’re excited to be working on YEAR 4!

Ride for the Future (a new program in 2012)

In the summer of 2012, our Ride for the Future team will travel exclusively by bicycle together from New Orleans to ExxonMobil’s international headquarters in Irving, Texas.

Along the way, the participants will learn from and highlight local efforts to improve communities while transitioning them away from fossil fuels.  At the same time, the riders will highlight the harms fossil fuels cause communities, visiting environmental justice communities suffering from pollution from refineries and power planets, communities still suffering from the the BP oil spill, and communities suffering from natural disasters in line with scientists predictions of a changing climate, including the droughts and wildfires in Texas and hurricane damage across the region.

While learning from those who have suffered from fossil fuels and those who are building a better future without them, riders will engage in direct community service to mitigate the suffering and ease the transition.  At ExxonMobil’s headquarters, the riders will call for a meeting with executives from the world’s wealthiest fossil fuel company to ask them to recognize their responsibility to help America and the world rapidly and responsibly transition away from fossil fuels. More information coming soon to rideforthefuture.org!

Boston, MA— On Saturday, Sept. 24, approximately 1,500 people from across New England joined in the global Moving Planet Day of Action, marking the largest demonstration to date in the greater Boston region of a powerful movement to transition beyond fossil fuels. Participants from over 100 area organizations rallied to hold elected officials accountable to businesses and communities that are already taking strong action to address climate change. Inspired by the global grassroots network 350.org and convened by Better Future Project, Moving Planet: New England was one of the largest of more than 600 simultaneous events in major U.S. cities and around the world.

People of all ages and backgrounds marched together to this Rally for Solutions at the Chirstopher Columbus Waterfront Park, which was hosted by Journalist Steve Curwood, host of Living on Earth, and included speeches from scientists, veterans, community leaders, and students, and music from the bicycle-powered band, Melodeego. Participants met up at North Station, South Station, Park Street Station and Long Wharf North and marched together to the park, chanting and holding signs calling for sustainable solutions. Many had traveled to the city in creative low-emission ways such as biking, walking, roller blading, public transportation, and carpooling.

Better Future Project is proud to have convened local leaders and local organizations in the planning of Moving Planet New England, a day to move New England beyond fossil fuels!

On Sept. 24, on the streets of Boston, join a worldwide event – Moving Planet – calling on our elected leaders, businesses and communities to get serious about moving beyond fossil fuels.  Come on bike or on foot, by boat, carpool or public transportation!  Come with your community, your organization, or simply yourself to help make one big, bold, beautiful statement.

Check out the Moving Planet website for the most up-to-date schedule and details on the event!

Last week, Climate Summer officially kicked off after 2 intensive weeks of training!

During the training the 31 student participants learned from and engaged with scientists, activists, media experts, and community leaders (including BFP staff and consultants) about the effects of fossil fuels, community organizing, messaging and media, bike safety and maintenance, and more!

The students also bonded over their excitement over their shared work this summer: building a better future free of fossil fuels.  Over the course of 7 weeks, the 31 riders are dividing into 6 teams and fanning out across New England to help build a movement to move society beyond fossil fuels.   Three teams are biking around Massachusetts, while one each is biking in Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut/Rhode Island, respectively.  Throughout their journey, the 6 teams will collectively bike about 30,000 miles as they visit 42 communities, working in each one to support the efforts of local groups, drive them media attention, and record their efforts for our forthcoming State of the Movement Report, which will highlight the municipal and civic efforts to build a better future free from fossil fuels.

To follow the rider’s journey this summer as they weave through New England, please visit:

Main page: http://www.climatesummer.net/

Blog: http://climatesummer.wordpress.com/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/BetterFutureProject?feature=mhee#p/u

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Climate-Summer/373012675356

Twitter: http://twitter.com/climatesummer

Photo Courtesy of United States Army

Thanks for visiting the Better Future Project website.  If you’ve made it this far, chances are that you are already engaged in building a better future, in one way or another.

We claim no leadership over the movement to transition away from dangerous and deadly fossil fuels to safe, just, and healthy energy sources, but we hope to support, highlight, and provide opportunities to those who are leading the way.

We are excited to join you in this work to build a better future.

Our site is new, and probably has some kinks to be worked out.  Please let us know what you think, and come back soon!

The Better Future Team