In the face of accelerating climate impacts and growing disillusionment with U.S. governance, a group of civic thinkers, educators, and environmental leaders gathered to ask an urgent and fundamental question:
The importance of that question deepened following the 2016 election, which resulted in the rollback of environmental protections and a burgeoning distrust in institutions. From that moment of shared concern emerged a core group of leaders who would later help shape the founding vision and values of the Climate Democracy Initiative.
That early momentum led to a national convening focused on the future of American democracy in a warming world. Dozens of scholars, journalists, scientists, and organizers came together to shift the public conversation from fear and fragmentation to vision and solutions.The gathering emphasized that preserving ecological systems and advancing equitable governance are not separate goals, but rather they are deeply linked. Participants explored how democracy must evolve to protect both people and the planet.
In the years that followed, a growing ecosystem of leaders continued shaping a blueprint for systems-level change.The movement gained traction through collaborative publications, town halls, and university partnerships. Approaches like participatory governance, community-led planning, and integrated climate-democracy strategies gained broader recognition as essential tools for building just and resilient futures.
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The Climate Democracy Initiative officially launched its public programming in 2022, hosting over 150 thought leaders at the conference: Colorado in a Hotter Time.
This convening brought together climate scientists, elected officials, grassroots organizers, and community members to address Colorado’s evolving environmental challenges. It marked the beginning of CDI’s hands-on work to connect local action, public trust, and climate resilience in the communities most impacted by both environmental stress and democratic breakdown.