Archived News Release: December 15, 2021 - The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations is accepting applications for its third cohort of A2ZERO ambassadors, which will launch in February 2022. The A2ZERO Ambassadors Program, which is modeled after the seven strategies of the ambitious A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality Plan, lasts approximately 12-weeks and covers:
Equity and environmental justice.
Community sustainability, climate change, and climate action.
Energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, and renewable energy.
Water efficiency, water quality, stormwater, and our watershed.
Transportation and choices about moving around the community.
How to get to a circular economy: waste reduction, composting, recycling, sustainable purchasing, and material reuse.
Local food: how to grow it, eat it and find it.
Personal and community resilience and emergency preparedness.
Tying it all together: A2ZERO and You.
In addition to coursework, ambassadors are tasked with completing a sustainability-related project and committing to volunteer for at least 20 hours to inspire change in the community.
"I loved my experience in the A2ZERO Ambassadors program because I learned about both the technical and social aspects of citywide carbon neutrality," said Lunia Oriol, an A2ZERO ambassador. “I also met like-minded people in my community who are driven to create positive change; and through this program, we are all able to stay connected through get-togethers and long-term sustainability projects we as ambassadors lead and manage."
“If you're wondering what you as an individual can do, there are many opportunities to be had through the A2ZERO Ambassador Program," said Cecelia Trudeau, an A2ZERO ambassador. “Resources and support are available to help and motivate you to learn, change and impact our community!"
The A2ZERO program provides insights, connections, collaboration opportunities, and information for individuals interested in helping the community achieve the goal of a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030. Roughly 30 individuals will be selected to participate in this third ambassador cohort. The deadline to apply for the third cohort is Jan. 18, 2022. Interested applicants can apply at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=haWvSHVjcEG50enFaLuS8zpAv-KG74pMt_L0pOtzMJBUMVU5U0syTEZJUFZZTE0xTU5DTVFFN0YyTy4u.
“I am proud to be an ambassador of our city's bold, forward-thinking carbon neutrality plan," said Bridget Gruber, an A2ZERO ambassador. “Ann Arbor recognizes the urgency with which we must reduce GHG emissions in a just and equitable way and is taking aggressive action with the A2ZERO Plan. The A2ZERO Ambassador Training Program was enlightening; I learned so much from local experts on topics like waste, water and transportation, and about how my family and my neighborhood fit into the plan. Moreover, the community-building benefits and exchange of ideas that came out of the program cannot be overstated."
“My experience with the program has been so rewarding. One of the things that I have craved was connecting with others that were curious and motivated to act on climate and environmental change," said Pricilla Papias, an A2ZERO ambassador. “Through this experience, I have connected with people with rich and diverse environmental experiences and stories and find myself learning more about my own environmental story and expanding my understanding of all the possibilities within environmental innovation. Apply and see where this experience can take you!"
For more information on the A2ZERO Ambassadors Program, see the city's sustainability website at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/sustainability/Sustainability-Me/Families-Individuals/Pages/Get-Involved.aspx, or reach out to Sustainability and Innovation Engagement Specialist Galen Hardy at [email protected]. The deadline to apply for this third cohort is Jan. 18, 2022.
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