A small teenager walks toward the podium, testing the PowerPoint before beginning his presentation. He already has done this 40 times, so now it seems a simple routine, but the passion he holds does not falter.
The 14-year-old's dedication to stop global warming was apparent during the presentation he gave Jan. 16 to the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's Sustainability Committee, which is comprised of more than 45 chamber members.
“I was extremely proud of the inspiring, passionate and educational presentation that Alec Loorz made to the Sustainability Committee,” said Paul Thompson, chairman of the committee. “Alec is evidence personified that the youth of today can make a difference.”
“It is incumbent upon us adults to listen to the clarion call of the generations that are following us and more aggressively do our part to change the behaviors that have led to this global crisis,” Thompson added.
At the tender age of 12, Alec became inspired by Al Gore's documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.” He then took it upon himself to research the evidence backing up the theory of global warming. After meeting Gore personally, Alec became the youngest person certified to present the information in the movie.
With the help of his mother and financial supporters, Alec founded the nonprofit organization Kids vs. Global Warming, which educates youths about climate change and empowers them to take action. Alec, who felt compelled to reach his peers by creating his own multimedia presentation, has touched thousands of youths and adults with his message: “We kids are the ones who will be most affected by the effects of climate change if we do nothing about global warming, so we need to the be ones who are leading the movement to bring change.”
Alec has given presentations at more than 40 schools around the country in an attempt to spread the same activism that initially inspired him.
“Our goal is to educate youth about climate change and empower them to take action,” Alec said.
He has begun several projects to promote awareness and gather devoted participants. Each project involves young people who volunteer their time in order to achieve the goal of preventing global warming.
His Sea Level Awareness Project strives to place poles all along the California coast to inform passersby that sea levels could rise up to 23 feet worldwide within the next century. Alec also trains kids to present the information he shares with their schools so they, too, can tell others about the dangers ahead if action is not taken.
He has started numerous young activist groups throughout the country called Global Warming Action Teams, which create projects of their own to take action against global warming. Some teams even stretch across the world.
But Alec is far from finished with spreading his message.
“I hope to personally reach 20,000 to 30,000 kids in schools this year to inspire them to make the changes necessary,” he said.
Alec has received several awards for his efforts to raise awareness and inspire action about the climate crisis, including Action for Nature's International Young Eco-Hero Award, Eco Ambassador from The Weather Channel and ABC7's Cool Kid.
In his spare time, Alec plays the drums in a band called State of Emergency. The freshman at El Camino High School in Ventura also enjoys surfing, hiking, making videos and graphic design.
To join the network to prevent this potential catastrophe, visit www.kids-vs-global-warming.com and get involved by donating money or time.
The 14-year-old's dedication to stop global warming was apparent during the presentation he gave Jan. 16 to the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's Sustainability Committee, which is comprised of more than 45 chamber members.
“I was extremely proud of the inspiring, passionate and educational presentation that Alec Loorz made to the Sustainability Committee,” said Paul Thompson, chairman of the committee. “Alec is evidence personified that the youth of today can make a difference.”
“It is incumbent upon us adults to listen to the clarion call of the generations that are following us and more aggressively do our part to change the behaviors that have led to this global crisis,” Thompson added.
At the tender age of 12, Alec became inspired by Al Gore's documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.” He then took it upon himself to research the evidence backing up the theory of global warming. After meeting Gore personally, Alec became the youngest person certified to present the information in the movie.
With the help of his mother and financial supporters, Alec founded the nonprofit organization Kids vs. Global Warming, which educates youths about climate change and empowers them to take action. Alec, who felt compelled to reach his peers by creating his own multimedia presentation, has touched thousands of youths and adults with his message: “We kids are the ones who will be most affected by the effects of climate change if we do nothing about global warming, so we need to the be ones who are leading the movement to bring change.”
Alec has given presentations at more than 40 schools around the country in an attempt to spread the same activism that initially inspired him.
“Our goal is to educate youth about climate change and empower them to take action,” Alec said.
He has begun several projects to promote awareness and gather devoted participants. Each project involves young people who volunteer their time in order to achieve the goal of preventing global warming.
His Sea Level Awareness Project strives to place poles all along the California coast to inform passersby that sea levels could rise up to 23 feet worldwide within the next century. Alec also trains kids to present the information he shares with their schools so they, too, can tell others about the dangers ahead if action is not taken.
He has started numerous young activist groups throughout the country called Global Warming Action Teams, which create projects of their own to take action against global warming. Some teams even stretch across the world.
But Alec is far from finished with spreading his message.
“I hope to personally reach 20,000 to 30,000 kids in schools this year to inspire them to make the changes necessary,” he said.
Alec has received several awards for his efforts to raise awareness and inspire action about the climate crisis, including Action for Nature's International Young Eco-Hero Award, Eco Ambassador from The Weather Channel and ABC7's Cool Kid.
In his spare time, Alec plays the drums in a band called State of Emergency. The freshman at El Camino High School in Ventura also enjoys surfing, hiking, making videos and graphic design.
To join the network to prevent this potential catastrophe, visit www.kids-vs-global-warming.com and get involved by donating money or time.