2007 – 2008 – Roger Moe, Former Democratic Letter from Will Steger
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ANNUAL REPORT 2007–2008 INSPIRE EMPOWER EDUCATE SOLAR WIND TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 The Will Steger Foundation (WSF) is dedicated to creating programs that foster international “ [Will Steger and the leadership and cooperation through environmental education and policy. WSF] were the ones that brought the left and the WSF seeks to inspire, educate and empower the world to understand the threat of and solutions right into the center on to global warming. this issue [global warm- CHANGE ACTION ing].” ANNUAL REPORT 2007 – 2008 – Roger Moe, former Democratic Letter from Will Steger...................................................................................................... 2 Congressman Letter from the Executive Director ................................................................................... 4 Fostering Leadership and International Cooperation ...................................................... 6 Inspiring Others through the Eyewitness Account .......................................................... 8 Empowering Others through Education ........................................................................ 10 Global Warming 101 initiative ....................................................................................... 18 Media Outreach .............................................................................................................. 24 Supporters ....................................................................................................................... 26 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 127 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407 Donors............................................................................................................................. 26 TEL: 612.278.7147 Financial Information..................................................................................................... 29 FAX: 612.278.7101 2 WILL STEGER FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2007 – 2008 LETTER FROM WILL STEGER 3 LETTER FROM Dear Friend: across Greenland with three of my Elles- the rapidly accumulation of carbon mere expedition team members. At 5400 dioxide. We need more education, social WILL STEGER Over the past year I was fortunate to feet on the west side of Greenland we engagement, sound energy policies that travel back to the Arctic on two expedi- were met by rivers of water that flowed cut current emissions and invest in clean tions to witness the ongoing impact of on top of the ice cap, in an area that energy sources. global warming on this sensitive envi- was frozen. Since my return from this ronment. In late March I set out from expedition two more major ice shelves I have dedicated my life to helping solve Resolute in the High Arctic with a team on northern Ellesmere have broken off. the global warming problem. The record of 21-28 year olds from four countries It is with some regret that I was unable of the Will Steger Foundation speaks to along with 3 sleds and 30 dogs. Our to reach this area to bid farewell to these this commitment. I encourage you to main objective was to visit the threat- massive bodies of ice that have been read this annual report to learn more ened ice shelves 800 miles away on around for 5000 years. about what we have accomplished in northern Ellesmere Island, an area I 2008, even as a small organization. first visited in 1983. As you may know These catastrophic changes we witnessed from following our progress on www. on our expeditions are silently happen- There is still plenty of hope but we all globalwarming101.com, we were unable ing while influential people continue to must be engaged with each other and to reach northern Ellesmere because we debate the existence of global warming work together for the sake of future gen- were slowed down by massive rubble of despite scientific consensus that hu- erations. the Arctic Ocean that had disintegrated man activity is permanently changing last summer from unusually warm tem- our climate. How will we eliminate our peratures. We did however make it to the dependence on fossil fuels in the long remnants of the Ayles ice shelf that had term? The answer is clearly strong in- broken off from its parent body in 2005. vestment in clean, renewable energy. We Will Steger have run out of time and we must act A month later I kite skied east to west now to first level out and then decrease 4 WILL STEGER FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2007 – 2008 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 5 The Will Steger Foundation has an POLICY sociation and distributed daily updates change curricula for our educational “ Like most Minnesotans, unprecedented ability to connect with to an average of 25,000 unique visitors efforts, including an Arctic Commu- influential decision makers, inspire and • Launched a successful partnership with to www.globalwarming101.com. In ad- nity Curriculum and a set of lessons for Will and I share a great empower citizens at all levels in under- Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty dition to the educational outreach, the grades 3-6 with a focus on persuasive respect for nature standing of and engagement in global which included the execution of three expedition was able to spread its mes- communication and language arts warming solutions. Our programs pro- community forums throughout Min- sage virally through ABCNews.com, and the outdoors. By vide an international platform for fur- nesota with concerned citizens, indus- Treehugger.com and social networking Support from the business community, highlighting impacts thering education, discussion and civic try, government, business, civic and sites such as Facebook. Overall, the government, individuals, and orga- engagement, offering unique opportuni- environmental organizations Ellesmere Island Expedition received nizations is critical to our success in of climate change right LETTER FROM ties for public interaction with promi- great exposure from national and in- transforming the hearts and minds of here in Minnesota, we nent policy makers, scientists, journalists • Launched successful relationships with ternational media outlets and received citizens, educators, and young people. EXECUTIVE and business leaders. Norwegian diplomats, government, over two billion media impressions Through educating, inspiring and hope to bring greater DIRECTOR and nongovernmental organizations empowering people at all levels, we are attention to this Driven by a commitment to solutions, including the US Ambassador to Nor- Education making a tangible impact in the move- NICOLE ROM the Will Steger Foundation provides way, Ministries, and academic institu- ment to stop global warming and we important issue.” resources for action, giving educators, tions in Norway • Established regional partnerships with know that you are a major part of our learners and community groups tools over ten non-profit/student organiza- progress. – Minnesota to work towards slowing global warm- EXPEDITIONS tions across the Midwest with a focus Governor ing. Our achievements demonstrate the on youth climate activism We look forward to sharing more success Tim Pawlenty, valuable commitment you have made • Executed the 2008 Ellesmere Island ex- with you in the future! October 2007 for our next generation of leaders. Below pedition with six international young • Enhanced the Summer Institute for are highlights of our accomplishments, adventurers from four countries. The Climate Change Education to include which demonstrate our ability to foster expedition connected with over three noteworthy keynote speakers, includ- international cooperation and leadership million educators through our partner- ing Dr. James Hansen and Andrew Nicole Rom to confront global warming: ship with the National Education As- Revkin and created new climate Executive Director 6 WILL STEGER FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2007 – 2008 GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS 7 “They are adventurer- FOSTERING LEADERSHIP AND community, tourism, recreation and in- to take on the issue of global warming. ing. During the past year, explorers who have gone INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: dustry. The first forum reached over 200 In continuing our collaboration with he has been in practically - literally - to the ends GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS participants at the Making a Great Lake national policy makers, the Will Steger every church basement of the earth. Not just to Superior Great conference in Duluth. Foundation and J. Drake Hamilton, from and every community pursue adventure, but The Will Steger Foundation is a non- Minnesota. Together with Senator Amy Fresh Energy, met with the EPA Region 5 meeting room in Min- also to pursue greater partisan advocate for proactive policy in Klobuchar, the second forum reached staff to influence climate change policy nesota to talk about this knowledge and an un- reducing the threat of global warming. over 250 people in Ely, Minnesota about in the Great Lakes Region. Through this subject. A friend says During the end of 2007, and the begin- derstanding of our place the urgent need for action and oppor- strategic partnership the Will Steger that Will’s new determi- ning of 2008, we forged many govern- tunities for clean energy solutions. The Foundation received a $100,000 grant Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty meets with college in the world . Will Steger mental partnerships including commu- final forum focused on engaging 450 from the EPA, carried through the Min- nation is rooted in sorrow. is one of these, and he youth at the Global Warming Solutions Forum at the ‘He’s watching the places nity forums with Minnesota Governor University of St. Thomas high school