Highlights in climate news:

Climate change is a heavy topic, even in the best of times. It is all too easy to get caught up in the daily struggle and forget to celebrate the progress being made—both at home and around the world. For those dedicated to climate resilience right now, these are not the best of times. Given the challenges we face, we would like to take a moment to share some much-needed climate wins.

A win close to home…

The state of Colorado is poised to continue phasing out coal-fueled electric plants, with plans to close all coal-fueled plants by the end of 2031. Only 10 coal-fired units remain in Colorado, with one to be closed by the end of 2025. Coal accounted for roughly a third of Colorado's total in-state energy generation in 2023, and has historically accounted for over 60%. While there is some contention about the practicality of this shift and environmental concerns over what will come next, it seems the era of coal in Colorado is coming to an end. Colorado continues to advance towards its ultimate goal of 100% clean electricity generation by 2040. That’s progress worth celebrating! For more details on this story, click here.

A neighboring win…

Last December, Montana’s Supreme Court sided with a group of 16 young climate activists between the ages of five and 22. These students argued that a Montana law making it illegal for environmental reviews to consider climate concerns when choosing energy policies was unconstitutional. The top court ruled 6-to-1 in favor of their argument by stating, “the state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations” and “the legislature shall provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.” Similar cases are projected to be heard soon, both across the United States and abroad. Click here for more details.

A win abroad…

In Edinburgh, courts have recently sided with environmental campaigners, Uplift and Greenpeace, who argued that government consent for two new Scottish oil and gas fields was granted unlawfully. The oil companies involved will now need to re-apply for consent of the UK government. The executive director of Uplift believes that this will now be refused as well, stalling the development of these proposed oil and gas fields. More information here.

Check out a longer review of recent climate wins here!

COOLER CLImates Project: Flyers and subsequent Presentations around Single-Use-Plastics and their link to Climate Change

Mike Weiland (Citizens Climate Lobby) and Maureen McCarthy (FoCo Trash Mob) are co-leading a COOLER CLImates project with a team of University of Northern Colorado students Lorayne Aguinaldo (student cohort), Eryn Kelly (student cohort), and Carissa Pollock (student cohort) to spread awareness of single-use plastics (SUPs) and their impact on climate change. This project aims to share information and engage the public, while providing actionable ways to fight climate change.

The team has created and distributed flyers in middle and high schools in Greeley, CO including in Weld County District 6 and the Poudre School District. They hope to continue sharing these posters in other school districts and creating new ones.

In addition, Maureen’s organization, FoCo Trash Mob, met with several Poudre School District teachers on February 21st. At this meeting, FoCo Trash Mob presented several of the project posters focused on SUPs and waste. From here, teachers will decide which presentations they would like FoCo Trash Mob to give during the school year to educate and motivate students around recycling and SUPs. Presentations are currently in the process of being scheduled, with one teacher requesting FoCo Trash Mob to go on a field trip with her students from Centennial High School to a grocery store to talk about plastics.

Amazing work by this team! Check out an example of a SUPs awareness flyer below!

COOLER CLImates Project: Wild Nature in the Urban and Rural High Plains: Environmental Observations in Greeley and Sterling

Alice Dong from Colorado State University and Ellie Andrews, an active concerned citizen from Greeley, CO, are co-leading a CLImates project to support climate change resilience by fostering a deeper connection between individuals and their local environment. (See more about Ellie in the next section!)

As a CSU Extension Regional Specialist, Alice enhances environmental awareness and community engagement through storytelling and interactive mapping using ArcGIS StoryMaps. Inspired by the vibrant colors and unique views around Logan County Courthouse, Alice is creating a StoryMap that showcases photos, stories, and maps highlighting the beauty of local plants and wildlife. As spring arrives, the project encourages community members to explore their surroundings, strengthen their observation skills, and cultivate pride and stewardship for often-overlooked natural spaces.

Feel free to share your favorite wildlife and plant photos or stories from Northern Colorado with Alice at Alice.Dong@colostate.edu. If your submissions are selected for inclusion in the ArcGIS StoryMaps, you will receive proper credit. We look forward to seeing your contributions!

Another exciting project with some fantastic work being done!

March 2025 – Climate Hero of the Month: Ellie Andrews

Ellie Andrews (a CLImates cohort participant) is named Colorado 350’s Climate Hero of the Month for March! For all of her crucial work with this organization, from canvassing, to helping plan events, to supporting those events, Ellie has clearly shown her dedication to making the world around her a better place. Congratulations on a well-earned title!

From Colorado 350’s article, “Ellie is the perfect climate hero for this month of March, especially being Women’s History and Futures Month. If you look up matriarch, this is what comes up – ‘A matriarch is a willing protector, a nurturer, and a leader of her family and community. She is a role model, particularly for women, and a fierce advocate for causes close to her heart. She is empowered and makes it her job to empower others. She is open-minded and utilizes her wisdom for the good of all.’ This is Ellie. Ellie embodies all of these traits, she is a great example of a passionate and compassionate leader.” To read the full article, click here!

Ask Me Anything (AMA): COOLER CLImates Student Cohort

On our latest AMA, COOLER host Kyle Thoutt talks with one of our students from CLImates, Angelo Flores! Angelo shares not only his experiences in the CLImates program, but also what it means to be an environmentally conscious student in today's world. Kyle and Angelo talk about what it means to make a positive impact, and what students can do to feel like they're making change!

Keep an eye out for the interview, coming out soon on the COOLER YouTube! In the meantime, click here to check out recordings of our past AMA events on our YouTube.

We asked one of our CLImates cohort members to share a little bit about herself so you can get to know her better.

Corina Brown

Faculty Cohort

What brought you to the COOLER CLImates program?

“We are fortunate to live in a beautiful state, a great country, and on an amazing planet. I grew up in Transylvania, Romania, and I have vivid memories of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Even though it occurred miles away, its effects still reached my country. Over the years, I have often reflected on Elie Wiesel’s words: ‘People should never forget, but first they have to know.’“

What is one change you would like to see in the Northern Colorado community?

“Greeley is home to a diverse representation of people, cultures, and traditions from many countries. It would be wonderful for all of us to come together and learn how to appreciate and protect the beauty of Colorado.”

What is your favorite local outdoor space?

“Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.”

What is a project you are currently working on or are excited about?

“I am working on finding ways and help our students connect chemistry and biochemistry knowledge from the classroom to insights from other subjects, and understanding their impact on the environment and health.”

What is something you are looking forward to in the coming year?

“Sharing ideas and learning together how we can be more appreciative and gentler toward our surroundings.”

To learn more about Corina, see her UNCO webpage here.

EAS Seminars: Wednesdays, 4-5pm

Each Wednesday the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department of UNC puts on an hour long seminar, discussing various environmental and climate-related topic. Visit the COOLER events calendar or click here to view upcoming seminar topics and further details!

Climate Conversations: March 18th, April 15th, 6-7:30pm

Citizens' Climate Lobby hosts climate conversations aimed to share and discuss climate change-related information. These conversations are hosted at the LINC Library in Greeley and are free and open to the public. Click here for information on the next upcoming Climate Conversation.

Greeley West Air Symposium: March 14th, 8:30-11am

This event is partnered with the AQIQ Hannigan Lab Program through CU Boulder. Students used equipment from the Dept. of Environmental Engineering to test air quality of their everyday activities. They have created posters to showcase their procedure, data, and analysis. Come by to give feedback to these students and learn something new!

You will learn Why We Really Should Not Run in the Hallways, Why Freshman Boys' Axe Cologne Stinks Forever, Blossoms in the Breeze Sneezes, Dust Bunnies of Deliciousness Brownie Making, Burning Fuels Gone Wrong and the Importance of Fire Extinguishers, and are Candles Really Wicked?

This event is free and open to the public and takes place at Greeley West High School.

Earth Day Fair: April 26th

Earth Day is coming up April 22nd and is always a great time to find community around environmental and climate topics. Looking for ways to celebrate? There will be an Earth Day Fair in Greeley on April 26th. Keep an eye on the COOLER events calendar for more details to come!

Open Environmental Data Project

With the current administration, many federal datasets and tools we may have come to rely upon are no longer available. However, there is some hope in the form of online groups and communities dedicated to keeping this information free and open to the public. One such group is the Open Environmental Data Project, dedicated to “Building spaces to grow the global conversation on environmental data access and use.” Click here to access the project homepage and datasets.

Climate Education Games Database

This database is a crowd-sourced spreadsheet, currently boasting roughly 40 climate education-related games. It gives details such as game format, specific topics, estimated game time, targeted age range, and links to the games. At a time when climate education is more important than ever, something as simple as a game can be invaluable. Click here to access the database!

Climate Play

Another resource to bring some levity around the topic of climate change: “Climate Play is a climate change learning and development organization that helps unlock climate action through play-based learning (for grown-ups...). We facilitate, train and speak about playfulness in environmentalism in a way that helps make it safe, light and fun for people to face climate change, so that they are able to engage more deeply, honestly and creatively on the topic.” In 2025, Climate Play will be hosting 'LEGO® Serious Play® for Sustainability' trainings online and in the UK. Interested? Click here for more information!

What Kind of Changemaker are You?

Each of us have a unique mix of strengths and talents which can be utilized to bring about change. If you are interested in a fun five minutes learning more about the strengths you bring to the table, as well as the archetypes of other changemakers, try out this online quiz: “What Kind of Changemaker are You?” from Studio Futurall. Click here to take the quiz!

Meet the COOLER Team:

COOLER Directors and UNCO faculty: Cindy Shellito (Principal), Sharon Bywater-Reyes, Chelsie Romulo

COOLER Community Director: Arika Virapongse (Middle Path EcoSolutions)

COOLER Evaluation Director: Rupu Gupta (Rupu Gupta Consulting)

COOLER Community Managers & UNCO Student Team: Anna Dispirito, Kyle Thoutt, Genevieve Hankins (COOLER Newsletter Student Editor)