Climate Reality President and CEO Ken Berlin Announces Retirement After Nearly A Decade of Leadership

Washington, DC (October 25, 2021) – Today, Climate Reality President and CEO Ken Berlin announced he will retire after eight years of leading the organization. Berlin will step down in March 2022, and Climate Reality’s board of directors will begin the search for a replacement in the intervening weeks and months.

Throughout his tenure, Ken has overseen a significant expansion of Climate Reality’s global footprint, growing the network to over 40,000 trained Climate Reality Leaders, 11 international branch offices and partnerships, and 132 US-based chapters. He also served as a driving force behind the organization’s efforts to engage, support, and amplify the work of frontline communities impacted by environmental injustice.

Ken steered Climate Reality through the COVID-19 pandemic and led the organization’s pivot from in-person Climate Reality Leadership Corps trainings to entirely virtual programming, allowing thousands to continue the fight for climate action safely and effectively.

“I am deeply honored to have had the opportunity to lead the incredible team at The Climate Reality Project during an extremely consequential period for the climate movement,” said Ken. “Over the past several years, Climate Reality has developed a powerful grassroots network of Climate Reality Leaders and activists, and with our allies around the world, we have made the argument for climate action, defeated doubt and denial, and secured important commitments from local, regional, and national leaders to accelerate the transition to a just clean energy future. I am proud of the work we have accomplished together. I am excited to spend more time with my wife, family, and new grandchild, but plan to continue working to address the climate crisis and to secure a better future for all of us.” 

“All of us at The Climate Reality Project have been very fortunate to have Ken Berlin at the helm of our organization over the past eight years,” said Climate Reality Founder and Chairman Al Gore. “His clear-eyed leadership has been integral to Climate Reality’s growth and our ability to empower a strong, diverse network of Climate Reality Leaders around the world to advocate for the solutions to the climate crisis that we need. We will miss his leadership and vision. I join with the entire team in expressing our gratitude and in wishing him all the best.”

Berlin joined the organization as president and CEO in 2014, following a successful career leading Skadden Arps' environmental and climate change practices and chairing the Energy and Environment Team supporting President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. Ken has also served as chairman of the boards of the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), the Center for International Environmental Law,  the American Bird Conservancy, and Rare, as well as on the boards of Earth Day Network and Defenders of Wildlife.

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