Meet Micah Parkin | Executive Director and a Founder of 350 Colorado

We had the good fortune of connecting with Micah Parkin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Micah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I founded the nonprofit organization 350 Colorado in 2013 because I am incredibly concerned about the serious impacts of the climate crisis and feel a deep sense of responsibility to do something about it and provide others with ways to take action.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My family moved to Colorado from New Orleans two years after Hurricane Katrina, seeking higher ground and a safer place to raise my daughters. Unfortunately, as most of us have now discovered, no place is safe from the impacts of the climate crisis. Each year record wildfires, droughts, floods, reductions in snowpack, pine beetle forest kills and other impacts grow worse, with devastating impacts on our economy, health, safety and lives.

Most of us feel a sense of responsibility to do something, but how to take action as an individual in a way that feels impactful on such an enormous problem can be overwhelming. That’s why 350 Colorado is focused on building a powerful climate movement, made up of everyday people, all coming together to add our skills and whatever time we have to give (from a few seconds to sign an online petition to a few hours to lead a committee) and/or funding to pitch in on an array of campaigns to address the climate crisis and work together toward a rapid, just transition off fossil fuels to a renewable energy future.

Scientists around the globe have made it clear that we need to make this shift rapidly – largely in the next decade – to prevent the worst. So we need as many people as possible pitching in however they can to make it happen. 350 Colorado is making a place for everyone who wants to take action to have an impact by working together, and we work closely in coalition with numerous other groups too. We must solve the climate crisis – because there is no planet B. Together we can and will.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spots in Denver are hanging out by the Platte River, the Nature and Science Museum, the Capitol (usually during a rally;), the zoo (when my kids were little), watching theater/dance and eating at the Mercury Cafe or City O City.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Huge thanks goes to my husband and daughters who have provided enormous support and encouragement that enabled me to start and sustain the nonprofit organization through tough times and to the incredible staff, board and volunteer network that has allowed the organization and climate movement in Colorado to grow tenfold in 9 years by giving their time, energy, skills and donations.

Website: www.350colorado.org

Instagram: @350colorado

Linkedin: @350colorado

Twitter: @350colorado

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/350Colorado/

Youtube: @350colorado