Climate Community Citizen of the Week – Billy Parish

Congratulations to Billy Parish this weeks Climate Community Citizen of the Week!

We learned about Billy and his amazing work from two of our friends and partners – Uwe Brandes of ULI and Ted Steck of The University of Chicago.  In addition to the amazing work that Billy is involved with he is also (recently) a father, and as we know there is nothing like having your own children to motivate one to think about the future that they will have…

Billy Parish is widely known as an innovative youth organizer, social entrepreneur and champion of the emerging green economy. In 2002, Parish dropped out of Yale University to co-found the Energy Action Coalition and grew it into the largest youth advocacy organization in the world working on the climate crisis. Energy Action Coalition’s recent Power Shift ‘09 conference brought nearly 13,000 youth to Washington D.C. for trainings, networking sessions and to lobby Congress and the new Administration. A serial social entrepreneur, Parish has helped launch dozens of youth, climate and green jobs related organizations and initiatives, including Green Owl Records, a green music label affiliated with Warner Music Group; ItsGettingHotInHere.org, the largest youth issues blog and second largest climate change blog in the world; The Navajo Green Economy Coalition, which recently passed groundbreaking green jobs legislation on the Navajo Nation; and the Clean Energy Corps, a proposal based on the Civilian Conservation Corps designed to rebuild the U.S. and create millions of new jobs and opportunities for community service, parts of which became law in 2009. Parish serves on numerous non-profit and clean-tech boards from The Clinton Global Initiative to Motor Excellence to the Alliance for Climate Protection, and has been honoured as a 2005 Rolling Stone magazine “Climate Hero,” 2006 Mother Jones “Student Activist of the Year”, one of Salon.com’s 2007 “Sexiest Men Living”, and as an Utne Reader “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World” in 2008. In 2007, he was elected as a Fellow by Ashoka, the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. By turning ideas and passion into action, Parish is one of the most dedicated and innovative leaders in the fight against climate change and environmental devastation. By mobilizing youth, encouraging participation in government initiatives and creating green employment, Parish is making a difference.

We believe that Billy will continue to lead and help to motivate people to do the right thing!

Congratulations again and keep up the great work.