Accelerate Climate Solutions: Empowering the Next Generation

Accelerate Climate Solutions was founded in 2023 by Cathy Clarkin to educate and empower the next generation of climate and environmental leaders. At ACS, we believe that elevating youth voices is key to creating meaningful and long-lasting change. That’s why we created our youth program, BLAST – Building Leadership Around Sustainable Transformation. This program provides opportunities to both high school and college students via our BLAST Competition and BLAST Internships. Since our inception, our internship program has grown from eight student interns in 2023, to 55 student interns, including 5 in the Solomon Islands in 2025. This year, the internship program is serving 75 students and counting!

Students competing in the BLAST Competition

Outside of supporting our youth, we also connect homeowners and renters in Naperville and Aurora to local resources that not only save money but promote a just world and a healthy planet. These resources also extend to businesses and nonprofits who are looking to decarbonize their footprint.

So far this year, we held our annual BLAST competition, presented at the  Climate of HOPE teacher conference, participated in Earth Week activities, and more. With our summer interns now in office, we have more planned events and programs to come! 

We encourage everyone to get involved with ACS, because we are stronger together. Whether you volunteer, donate, or sponsor, your contribution supports our mission of building a sustainable future for our

community and beyond.

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