To care about climate change, you only need to be one thing, and that's a person living on planet Earth who wants a better future. Chances are, you're already that person—and so is everyone else you know.
- Katherine Hayhoe, Saving Us
We are those people.
DeCarbon DeKalb is a climate advocacy group fostering a greener future in DeKalb County and beyond. We center peer-to-peer inspiration, and provide a clearinghouse for local information and resources. We choose action-based hope over dread, and take a decidedly cheeky approach to encourage engagement. We exist to amplify local efforts and fulfill the emerging needs of the future. We’re building a big tent and invite you to join us no matter where you are on your climate journey, or how much time you have to give.Meet the Team
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Co-Founder
Andy (he/him) is an architect focused on green buildings that are healthy for inhabitants and sustainable for the planet. Andy also has a passion for permaculture, landscape restoration, and emerging green technologies.
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Co-Founder
Kendra is a DeKalb mom on a mission to save the planet. After a decade teaching for NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts she pivoted to managing events and communications for Voltus, a virtual power plant supporting the clean energy transition by preventing blackouts when extreme weather and varying renewables stress the electric grid. Kendra is now running DeCarbon DeKalb and standing up a nature-based farm school called Headwaters. She has an eye on permaculture, sustainable travel, urban farms, and the health of the community landscape.
Help us grow.
We’re uniting DeKalb County resources with the busy people who want to make a difference but have full lives. Our calendar of events and initiates has something for everyone, and as a 501c3, every dollar is tax deductible.
Here’s how we play.
DeFirst: DeStress DeCarbon
Although climate anxiety can naturally accompany climate change talk, there’s a bevy of good climate news and regional happenings to share. Our focus is on revolution, not apocalypse. We believe the best way to engage, inspire, and motivate.
DeSecond: Keep it Real
Keep it respectful and real (as in CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL and wildly accelerated by human activity). Trolls will be booted back to the Flat Earth Society. Also, no bullying, hate or spam. C’mon now. It’s everyone’s planet.
DeThird: Big Tent
No shame games. Some folks are way ahead of others on this topic, but all are welcome in this space to ask, learn, and share. In other words, please don’t be a climate jerk. We're all about meeting people where they are at.
DeFourth: Eww, Politics
Regarding climate change, we are only political in that we equally loath Republicans and Democrats who take money from carbon-spewing interests for self-profit over our collective benefit. Policy is important to turning this ship around. All elected officials are going to need to step up. We’ll acknowledge those who do, no matter the (D) or the (R) behind their names.
DeFifth: Product Placement
If you have a product or service that’ll decarbonize this place, and you are regionally based, toot your horn! Your occasional product placement post is welcome. We also use local vendors for events, so if you think you’re a match for us, let us know!
DeSixth: DeSycamore?
Despite the cheeky name, this group is not just for the good righteous citizens of DeKalb, Illinois. It could just as well be DeCarbon DeSycamore, DeCarbon DeMalta, DeCarbon DeKingston, or even DeCarbon DeBatavia...you get DePoint. If you live/work in DeKalb County and nearby environs or have an interest in our slice of the planet, join the party! Keeping the group regionally based allows us to make personal connections, be inspired by our own neighbors, and share pertinent local resources.