A Statement from The Climate Reality Project

Boulder, CO (Jan. 3, 2014)

Chairman, and former Vice President Al Gore:

"Five years ago, Maggie Fox joined The Climate Reality Project (then the Alliance for Climate Protection) to guide it through one of the defining legislative fights of the current environmental movement. Though the effort succeeded in the U.S. House of Representatives, it was blocked in the U.S. Senate -- which proved to us that more had to be done to combat the climate denial cottage-industry and to foster a true social movement for climate action."

"Guided by that mission, The Climate Reality Project has dedicated itself to winning the cultural conversation on climate and convincing an even larger majority that urgent action is needed. We have built a robust network of 6,000 Climate Reality Leaders in 100 countries, designed innovative communication tools like the award-winning “24 Hours of Reality” series – which has grown for each of the last three years and achieved more than 20 million views worldwide in 2013. In addition, we have called out denial in revolutionary ways through groundbreaking videos and online tools. Throughout that period, Maggie has led this organization with tireless energy and keen insight from her many years of experience as an activist and organizer."

"This spring, after an exceptional tenure at the helm of this burgeoning organization, Maggie will be stepping down as President and CEO. In the interim, she will continue contributing to the vital work of The Climate Reality Project in 2014: joining with me in holding a Climate Reality Leadership Corps training in South Africa this March and continuing to call for a market price on carbon and a political price on denial. She will also assist me and The Climate Reality Board of Directors in selecting a leader who can harness the movement we’ve been building and take it to the next level."

"I am deeply grateful to Maggie for her years of dedicated service and wish her all the best in her return to organizing and advocacy in her home state of Colorado and beyond, and most importantly, in continuing her life's work of fighting for lasting climate solutions. She is one of the most extraordinary and effective leaders with whom I have ever worked."

Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO:

"I was honored to join The Alliance for Climate Protection’s efforts to fight for comprehensive climate legislation five years ago. And thrilled to then lead the organization through an important transformation to The Climate Reality Project. Faced with the realization that the well-funded and pervasive climate denial industry was winning the broader cultural battle, The Climate Reality Project took up the mantle to dispel doubt and spread the immediate reality of climate change with innovative organizing and communication initiatives designed to transform the cultural conversation."

"Over the past three years, we have operated with a start-up mentality as climate entrepreneurs, calling out deniers, while also connecting the dots for individuals seeking to understand the reality of climate change and its impact on their everyday lives. We have developed global online events including the annual 24 Hours of Reality, released cutting-edge digital tools such as Reality Drop and What I Love and formed new and effective partnerships with communities affected by climate change – from winter sports lovers to mothers to young people with the critical help of tech enthusiasts and the marketing and advertising industry. We have also invested in growing and empowering a powerful group of 6000 global leaders in over 100 countries acting as change agents and members of The Climate Reality Leadership Corps."

"This has been one of the most energizing and exciting portions of my career. I am inspired every day by the talent, diligence and passion our staff brings to this important work. And, I also feel it is the right time in the organization’s growth for me to help Chairman Gore and the Board find a new leader to take the cultural conversation to the next level."

"I’d like to thank Chairman Gore for his incredible, visionary leadership on climate change and the Climate Reality staff and Board as well as our supporters for all that they do every day to make a difference. I am looking forward to carrying all I have learned from this fascinating journey onto creating a sustainable world that keeps faith with our children, grandchildren and all future generations."