The Dr. Lynn Leveret Award honors leaders in climate advocacy—particularly individuals whose initiatives paved the way for innovative solutions to the climate crisis.
In 2018, The CLEO Institute gave its first-ever Circle of Change Awards, but in 2019, we decided to give the top recipient of these awards a more profound meaning; as a result, we renamed it after one of our most influential founding members and first CLEO Board President, Dr. Lynn Leverett.
Leaders in Climate
Whether for the creation of edible beer can rings that eliminates plastic pollution and provides food for the turtles or the creation of the New York Times bestselling book Drawdown, the most comprehensive book ever written on how to reverse global warming, or a collaboration between top local news media outlets to elevate climate issues in our community, the Dr. Lynn Leveret Award is The CLEO Institute’s way of recognizing agents of change.
“Although the magnitude of climate change may make individuals feel helpless, individual action is critical for meaningful change.”
—Mia Armstrong
Dr. Lynn Leveret is a champion of change!
Dr. Lynn Leveret has been supporting The CLEO Institute since the beginning. She shares our cause! Which is to bring climate literacy, engagement, and advocacy to our community. She is a lifelong environmentalist who believes in the power of the individual.
She has been instrumental in shaping CLEO’s mission. Her vision has allowed us to make the connections between science and social issues. She is a pivotal member of our organization, serving as CLEO’s President for four years and then as a board member.
Perseverance and Climate Action
Throughout the years, Dr. Lynn Leveret has been an inspiration to many, young and old.
It is with great privilege that we honor Dr. Leverett’s significant contribution to The CLEO Institute by naming our most prestigious award after her lifelong dedication to climate advocacy.
How to be an agent of change?
Climate change affects all Americans—regardless of socioeconomic status—and many of these impacts are worsening. It is well-documented that individuals do not experience these changes equally .
The CLEO Institute embraces those individuals that, like Dr. Leverett’s, improve everyone’s understanding of the impacts of climate change.
According to an study by the EPA, socially vulnerable populations— defined based on income, educational attainment, race and ethnicity, and age, are more exposed to the highest impacts of climate change. Therefore, by “understanding the comparative risks to vulnerable populations is critical for developing effective and equitable strategies for responding to climate change.”