Though their adult counterparts continue to remain befuddled by CO2, kids are hyper-aware of the challenges that their generation will face as a result of climate change. A recent poll shows that 82% of kids in the U.S. want immediate action on climate, and every year 3.2 million high school students graduate and become voting eligible.

 

In other words, kids may be the best hope we have of garnering enough public support to make dramatic changes in Washington and at home. Now a new, hip curriculum called ACE is going into high schools to empower these kids to understand their impacts and take action now.

 

This curriculum is no hum-drum science lesson. Each assembly is presented by a young person who has his or her farting cow jokes down pat and is able to weave a dialogue about climate change into a fun and impactful info-video featuring a green giant named ACE, produced by Free Range Studios (of Meatrix fame). 

 

Just this morning I had the opportunity to hear one of the presenters Ambessa Cantave run though a short example (above) and talk about how jazzed and empowered the kids feel when they learn how much they can do to make a difference on climate.

 

The founder Michael Haas is the father of 2 and owns wind power company Orion Energy Group (Grist). Having coming up against the wall of political inaction, he believes the key to a solution on climate change rests with the youth of America and with the ACE curriculum he hopes to inspire these kids to take action.

 

 

ACE's Youth Empowerment Project offers kid climate leaders college scholarships and school grants of up to $20,000. One student was so motivated after the presentation that he put together a team to get solar panels on the roof of his high school. 

 

Another way kids can take action is through an online portal that gives them access to facebook and twitter groups as well as an upcoming "Do One Thing" virtual campaign where students track their DOT's and see how many small actions can add up to big changes.

 

The program has already reached 50,000 kids in the Bay Area and it is now expanding nation-wide. Next year ACE hopes to reach several hundred thousand students.