Climate Ambassador Program

Request a Speaker to Present about Climate Action at Your Next Event

You may request a speaker attend your next meeting or event who will share more information about climate impacts in Charleston, the new Climate Action Plan and what the City is doing, and some tips for how you can help be part of a community-wide solution!

Climate Leaders in Our Community

The program launched in fall 2021 to build climate leaders within our community who are certified to share information about Charleston's newly adopted Climate Action Plan (May 2021) and inspire its implementation.  Thank you, Ambassadors!

Climate Ambassador Program request for speakers

Ambassador Danielle inspires a group of high school students

Danielle presenting in MEOC April 2022 2

High school students at JI Charter learn about climate action from Ambassador Stacey!

JI Charter revised

Ambassador Impacts

Over 1,000 people have been engaged and inspired to take climate action in over 40 presentations, as of late April 2022! 

View Recorded Presentations

Below are recorded sessions from Ambassadors Kindall, Christine and Stacey presenting at events. View a copy of the slides.

Meet Your Ambassadors!

All ambassadors have been trained and certified by the City.  They are eager to present at your next event!

David

David Quick (he/him) 

Former newspaper journalist David Quick enjoys gardening, beekeeping, running and walking his two dogs, Lucy and Fiona.

Danielle

Danielle Richardson (she/her)

I am a community advocate and author from the Eastside of Charleston, SC. I love working in the community and am excited to work with you all in the future. Let's meet the needs of our Climate Action Plan throughout the city of Charleston.

Christine

Christine von Kolnitz (she/her) 

I live in Mount Pleasant and work as the Sustainability Manager of MUSC.  I’m an Accredited Commercial Energy Manager and a SC DHEC Certified Recycling Professional.  I volunteer as the Chair of the Robert Lunz Group Sierra Club, love riding my bike and caring for fruit and vegetable plantings in my yard.

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Carol A. Jackson (she/her) 

I live on James Island and have experience serving on Charleston City Council representing the area.  I volunteer for a number of local organizations and am passionate about maintaining a healthy planet for future generations.

Arian

Arian Bonetto Fernandez (he/his/him)

I am originally from Córdoba, Argentina. I moved to Colorado in 2004 and later moved to Charleston in 2014. I love meeting new people, volunteering, and learning new cultures. I enjoy riding my bicycle with my wife, Desiree, and fixing, restoring and repurposing old furniture.

belvin

Belvin Olasov (he/him) 

Belvin Olasov puts his background in writing to use as an activist helping lead the Charleston Climate Coalition. You can also see him onstage as an improv performer at Theatre 99 downtown.

Darcy

Darcy Everett (she/her) 

I am the Sustainability Director at the College of Charleston and love inspiring others to take climate action. You can often find me with binoculars checking out local birds or kayaking around the lowcountry.

Omar

Omar Muhammad (he/him) 

I am originally from Augusta, GA and am a Fisheries Biologist.  I currently direct and volunteer at the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) where I have worked as a community advocate and activist for environmental justice and quality of life since 2007.  

Jonatan

Jonatan Guerrero Ramirez (He/Him/Él)

I was born in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico but grew up in Waynesboro, Georgia. I currently work at We Are Family, providing direct support and leadership opportunities to LGBTQI+ youth. In my spare time, I love to spend time with my little family and plan trips to Disney! :) 

Herb

Herbert Fraser-Rahim (he/him) 

I live west of the Ashley and love the ocean, rivers and creeks of the lowcountry and working with communities to promote Environmental Justice. 

Stacey

Stacey Bailey (she/her) 

I live in Wagener Terrace and am excited about telling the City's story about climate action. In my free time I perform improv at Theatre 99 and am trying to change the world at ReasonOne.

Scott

Scott Curtis (he/him)

I direct a new climate center at The Citadel.  We are looking to engage with the community on local climate matters such as flooding and extreme heat.  I enjoy bike riding and hiking.

Natasha

Natasha Viswanathan (she/her) 

Natasha is a Lowcountry native and lover of all things salty and sandy. As a local realtor, protecting our waterways and ecosystems is always on the forefront of her mind because the beauty and uniqueness of this place is so important to her. 

Marlo

Marlo Ann Shedlock (she/her) 

I'm originally from Kitty Hawk, NC and am the Adopt – A – Highway Coordinator and a board member for Surfrider Charleston.  I love the Lowcountry, especially our beautiful ocean and waterways. Motivation to be a Climate Ambassador: “The Greatest Threat to Our Planet Is the Belief That Someone Else Will Save It.”

Kindall

Kindall Brantley (she/her) 

I live downtown on the Eastside. I am very interested in the way that climate change affects the cities we live in. I became an ambassador to help educate people about what we can do to make positive change! I love staying active outdoors and am currently working on visiting all 47 South Carolina State Parks! 

Lia

Lia Colabello (she/her) 

I love the work I do with organizations to reduce their environmental impacts and launch sustainability initiatives, and I look forward to moving the climate dialogue forward within our community in my role as a Charleston Climate Ambassador.

Jamie

Jamie Gillette (she/her) 

I live in the Wagener Terrace Neighborhood on the peninsula. I love traveling - exploring new cities and adventuring outdoors! I am passionate about making sure future generations will have these same opportunities to explore our natural wonders.

stewart

Stewart Weinberg (he/him) 

I live on James Island.  My office is at Folly beach.  I have two passions:  Environment and Education.  My inspiration is my 3 grandchildren who want to have Planet Earth preserved for their future.

Betsy

Betsy La Force (she/her) 

I live in Park Circle and work as an environmental advocate for the Coastal Conservation League and enjoy speaking out for the importance of social and environmental consciousness in our community. In my spare time I like to practice wellness, gardening, seek out nature adventures and spend time with friends and family. 

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Brandon Markland (he/him) 

I’m originally from Central Indiana but moved to Charleston in 1999.  I live on the Eastside and enjoy music, golf, and hanging out with my family.

Libby

Libby Smith (she/her)

I am a retired Environmental Protection Agency employee and board member of Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Grow Food Carolina, Coastal Conservation League and one of the local founders of the Charleston Climate Coalition.

Kelly

Kelly Thorvalson (she/her)

As a SC native and Conservation Programs Manager with the South Carolina Aquarium, I am eager to help the City of Charleston move the needle on climate action to protect water, wildlife, wild places and communities. In my spare time, I love to be active outdoors, cook, garden and listen to music. I look forward to engaging with you!

Our Partner

Costa is a proud supporter of Charleston's Climate Ambassador Program and is sponsoring giveaways of merch for both ambassadors and participants to help encourage involvement.

Costa launched Kick Plastic to help reduce the amount of single-use plastic finding its way into our waterways, to reduce the amount of plastic we use as a company, and to mobilize a movement. 

Learn more by visiting Costa online.

Thank you to Costa!  

COSTA_STACK_NOTAG_CMYK Costa partner logo

Become a Climate Ambassador

Please check back for more information.

Resources

View a copy of the slides the ambassadors utilized in each Climate Action Plan presentation here.