Chloe Maxmin, Youth Climate Activist, Joins Friends of the Earth U.S. Board
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Board of Directors of Friends of the Earth U.S. is pleased to welcome Chloe Maxmin to the board for the 2017-2020 term. Maxmin brings years of hand-on experience as a climate activist, as well as a fresh perspective on climate justice advocacy.
“Given her already extraordinary accomplishments so early in life, Chloe is going to become a national leader in the struggles for social, environmental and economic justice,” said Arlie Schardt, Chairman of the Board at Friends of the Earth. “We are especially pleased that she will be performing part of that role as a board member of Friends of the Earth.”
Maxmin’s career of climate activism began at age 12 when she fought against a development proposal in her home state of Maine. In high school she founded the Climate Action Club, galvanizing a movement in her school and community. While attending Harvard, she co-founded Divest Harvard — a campaign calling on the university to divest its endowment from fossil fuels. She helped grow that organization from a group of 3 into a movement of over 70,000 people.
“In the age of climate chaos and Donald Trump, we need strong climate justice organizations that recognize that the future of the climate movement depends on political power,” said Maxmin. “Friends of the Earth is one of those organizations.”
Maxmin is also the founder of First Here, Then Everywhere, an organization that seeks to empower youth climate activists. Since graduating from college, Maxmin has been living and organizing in Maine. Her achievements as a youth activist have been recognized both nationally and internationally, including the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, the Brower Youth Award, being named a “Green Hero” by Rolling Stone, and being featured on Real Time with Bill Maher.
“I am thrilled and honored to bring the youth voice to the Board of Friends of the Earth, an organization striving for political and climate justice,” Maxmin continued.
“Chloe is the present and the future of our climate movement,” said Erich Pica, President of Friends of the Earth U.S. “As an advocate and writer, she’s been fearless in challenging the fossil fuel industry as well as building a more politically powerful climate movement. Her skills, energy and activism are a great addition to Friends of the Earth’s board of directors.”
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Communications contact: Erin Jensen, (202) 222-0722, [email protected]