Accelerate Climate Solutions Hosts A Successful Climate Gallery: The World We Inherit!
- John
- Sep 10, 2025
- 2 min read
On August 2, we were so proud to have hosted a well-attended and impactful climate art gallery at the First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) in Naperville.
The World We Inherit, a youth-led climate art gallery, was filled with bold ideas and creations. Nearly 150 people—families, students, climate advocates—showed up to experience a collection of art that didn’t just reflect the climate crisis, but inspired visitors to take action. Distinguished visitors included Congressman Bill Foster, State Senator Laura Ellman, Naperville Councilwoman Mary Gibson, Councilman Benny White, and DuPage Forest Preserve President Dan Hebreard.
Our gallery featured everything from paintings and poetry to crafts and collages. Some of the most moving pieces came from students in the Solomon Islands, where climate change isn’t just a future threat, but it’s already sinking communities. These students participated as remote Accelerate Climate Solutions interns, collecting stories across generations about the impact of climate change.Â
The event also featured multiple presentations from UCC members, including 11-year-old Helen Banas, who spoke about composting, and her father, Tim Banas, who explained how to make simple bike repairs. Accelerate Climate Solutions’ intern Andrea Ramirez did a great job emceeing the entire event.
The event also included fun activities, like sustainable T-shirt making and writing a letter to future generations. Raffles and free giveaways helped hype up our audience.
But the best part? Our gallery turned visitors into activists. Many Naperville locals signed up to join Accelerate Climate Solutions, a nonprofit focused on youth leadership, clean energy, and community education. Visitors also learned about Power A Better Future, a youth-led campaign fighting to stop Naperville from signing a 30-year coal contract with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA). Our team of ACS interns and staff worked very hard to organize this event and we were amazed by how many people attended our gallery!
