My Climate Journey
Grown from the farmlands and forests of Indiana, taught by the great Rocky Mountains, held by the Coastal Redwoods of Northern California.
My climate journey started as a Midwestern country boy, born and raised in Indiana. My parents were hippies (still are), and we lived at the end of a gravel road in the middle of nowhere (i.e., miles from friends). The trees, the creek, the berries, the farm pets, and the wildlife were my playmates and peers. My folks were also activists for the rights and sovereignty of Native Americans, so we had many family friends from Indigenous tribes across Turtle Island. They came to stay with us, and I remember walking through the woods with them and listening to their wisdom, trying to absorb as much as possible. This upbringing planted the seeds of my care and commitment to climate action today.
My Climate Resume
Formal education
I started studying climate science in 2001, as an undergrad at Indiana University, in a physics class focused on energy. I went on to earn a Bachelor’s from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
In 2008, during graduate school, my energy studies shifted to include a much greater emphasis on renewables.
In 2020, I completed a certification with Terra.do by completing their Learning for Action climate curriculum. A year later, I participated in the first cohort of Climate Farm School.
Professional experience
2009
Joined an early-stage startup building small-scale algae production systems with various eco-friendly applications.
2018
Founded the Green Team at DigitalOcean, organizing a group of ~20 coworkers across all departments in a grassroots, employee-led effort to understand our company’s environmental impact and take action to improve it.
2020
Joined Climate Changemakers as a volunteer at their inception and led their foundational, strategic community-building efforts.
Created Earth Day Every Day - a social campaign to celebrate and honor the beauty and importance of biodiversity.
2021
Founded Climate Friends - a community whose members give and receive support in navigating their emotional experiences related to the climate crisis.
2025
Joined ProgramEarth as a volunteer, focusing on overall strategy, partner relations, and supporting a fellowship program.
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”
— Robin Wall Kimmerer