Global Sustainability Expedition   

Dear Supporter,

We send our love and gratitude for your kind and generous donation in supporting our one-of-a-kind project! 

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to our Global Sustainability Expedition.  Your tax-deductible donations allows us to amplify exponential climate action in our one-of-a-kind project by:

1. Developing a new SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK by fostering strategic partnerships with key leaders locally, nationally and globally

2. Promoting climate and sustainability successes in each country

3. Showcasing key Sustainability Leaders in each country or region

4. Connecting in person with vital governmental, business, and NGO, officials and leaders to influence change

5. Researching and showcasing key solutions, policies, and businesses in each country

6. Making connections with our Global Experts to those who need help in energy transition from our network

7. Continuing to build a Global Repository of Sustainability Policies and solutions to share Internationally

8. Taking action by engaging and promoting service activities like reforestation, sustainable farming, etc. 

9. Highlighting solutions and leadership opportunities in each country

10. Expanding climate knowledge and communications through education and partnerships

11. Building upon our successes, partners and solutions of the past and present

12. And much more!

Donate TODAY to be a part of the change! 

Why? Because there is no time to waste!

Paris fell short. Way short! And now we are in a climate crisis. At today’s pace, the world will overshoot 1.5C and 2C sooner than expected. The time has come for revolutionary ambition and acceleration of climate action with NEW stakeholders, NEW innovative solutions, NEW shared policies, NEW practices, NEW experts and NEW strategies.  We can no longer rely on business as usual and we must find the pathway to climate stability through our business community and beyond. This acceleration will only happen when EVERYONE joins.

It will take the biggest sustainability network ever built, and it begins where you are. Locally. Right there. In your country, city and community.  

MORE. FASTER. TOGETHER

The Paris Commitments can only happen, a new prosperity can only happen, sustainable development can only happen, when we come together to mobilize more people in more places to launch greater and faster action.

Groundbreaking conference in Eastern Europe bringing together government officials, 

university leaders, business leaders and NGO’s for the first time. 

Continue Our Journey With Us!

We have had great success in Colombia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Kosovo, Mexico, Albania, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala and Panama and we now invite you to join and support us on our next series of countries! 

We are building meaningful PARTNERSHIPS that are making a difference.

We are coming together to share and expand solutions, communications, and climate actions that are making —or could make— a positive impact environmentally, socially, and economically. 

We are delivering Sustainability solutions, policies and stories of hope and success from each country’s LEADERS from these areas:

• NGO’s / Non-Profit Organizations

• Media

• Government (and policies associated)

• Businesses - Including SME’s

• Rotary Clubs

• Chambers of Commerce

• Universities

• Untapped voices- Indigenous Nations, disadvantaged communities,

Our Next Tours Will be in Canada and South Asia!

Join us in Canada in September and South Asia in October/November of 2024 as we will be building partnerships, holding events and activities, and promoting sustainability solutions and leaders in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Alberta Canada. 

This will be a LOW CARBON- SLOW TRAVEL project. We will strive to implement both eco or sustainable travel practices. We embrace ground transportation vs flights, eco or shared housing vs hotel chains, public/shared transportation vs private,  and culturally respectful experiences and connections vs traditional travel. 

Each country has its own unique expertise and creative solutions that they bring to the table that will be shared, not only with our local events and activities, but on a global level as well!  

We want to celebrate the incredible sustainability progress that has been made in each of these countries and cities, but we will also connect with global experts on the challenges that need extra attention.

Join our Global Sustainability Expedition

Because this critical moment calls for a different approach

• 500+ Sustainability Summits, Events or Activities in 195 Countries!

• Highlighting and Promoting NEW stakeholders and players 

• SHARING a NEW repository of Sustainability Policies

• Building a NEW connected Global Sustainability Network

• Share stories of hope and resilience from those who are overcoming climate challenges.

•  Solving Global Challenges alongside NGO’s, Mayors, Indigenous Leaders, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and more

• Making History– This has never been done before!

Left to right: Malaysia Press at our 1st  Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Misak Indigenous Leader in Colombia 

sharing medicinal methods, and productive meeting with top Albania NGO Climate Leaders . 

Events and Activities:  

With your donation, you will help to amplify change and commitments through  events and activities. Each city or location will hold at least 1 type of event to foster change or inspiration. These events can vary from small meetings of community leaders to activities to large summits including top governmental leaders etc. Examples include:

• Partnership Building - With our extensive network of leaders, our aim is to bring leaders together from different sectors to share ideas and start new and innovative projects TOGETHER. An example of this could be a Rotary Club developing a new Reforestation partnership program with an environmental NGO.

• Service Activities- These can be quite varied and include actions that make a difference. They can include other large groups of volunteers or more intimate strategic actions.  They can include activities like tree planting/Reforestation, Reef Restorations, EV promotion events, Sustainable Gardening, Plant-rich diet cooking events, How-To Solar installation, Composting, Youth Education and engagement, etc.

• Meetings– small and impactful meetings for informational sharing and/or strategic planning

• Summits/Conferences- Larger sessions designed to bring top leaders together in unique ways that haven’t been done before. Experts from around the world can also join virtually during these sessions. 

• Press Events- We will create a press package to include each area's partners/strategies/successes/etc to amplify the message of action. We can hold events inviting the local media to participate, learn and ask questions.

• Eco-Promotion- Visit, highlight and promote a region's environmental treasures. These could be national parks, areas of endangered species, unique outdoor activities specific to the region, and more. 

• Cultural Exchange- Bringing together and promoting cultural exchanges, events, and qualities. As an example:  When we were in Colombia, we stayed with the Misak Indigenous nation, sharing our new ideas/solutions while they shared their generational knowledge and solutions to help us all mitigate climate change.  

• Policy Exchange- As we travel from country to country, we aim to collect and share the top effective sustainable policies with governmental leaders. In addition, we will be sharing our repository of over half a million sustainability-focused policies from cities, states and nations around the world.

• Highlighting Sustainable Governmental Leaders- Through our Global Sustainability Leaders series, we feature governmental, NGO and Business leaders who have taken extra steps to catapult their nations green practices.

• Featuring Eco-Travel Locations, Tours and Practices- Every country has special eco-villages, environmental tours, and sustainability practices to transform their country's focus on tourism. 

• Share and Develop Success Stories–  We will share at least one INCREDIBLE story of resilience and environmental success for each country. This may be a personal journey’s story or it could be a national success story. In addition, we will collect the successes of the expedition in each country and share internationally. 

• And much more!

Speakers from an Event held in Singapore to share business sustainability practices and strategies

How Can You HELP Us?

Donate- through our 501(c)(3) Tax deductible Givsum organization. Click on the "Donate" button above!

Michelle Thatcher’s meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, where she was able to get a commitment that Kosovo would work toward developing a NEW plan to reach the 2030 emission goals. 

We want YOU! Real Change will only happen with EVERYONE

We at the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce, Global Climate Pledge, Global Green Chambers, Rotary Climate Action Team Network, Chambers for Sustainability Coalition,  U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce,  and our numerous global non-profit and business partners, are working with corporations,  universities, rotary clubs, government leaders,  cities,  and top NGO’s to bring this expedition and our Sustainability Summits to EVERY COUNTRY in the world!

But we have been missing 90%+ of the TEAM! 

NGOs, governments and corporations have already started to mobilize, but to truly accelerate ambition at this late stage, we must all do more to bring in new participants. However, several groups have been missing from the global sustainability and climate change movement. 

1. SME’s–According to the World Bank, 90% of all businesses in the world today are the small and midsize businesses, and they have been largely out of the sustainability loop. The time for transformation has arrived. We will form relationships and work side by side with small to midsize businesses/enterprises (SME’s) to develop sustainable practices and find new solutions.

2. Indigenous Nations- Not only do Indigenous communities contribute the least to greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, but they often must defend themself against extractive industries whose activities further the devastating effects of climate change and violate the human rights of Indigenous peoples. In order to address this climate injustice, it is vital that we listen to the stories and solutions of Indigenous peoples. We must learn from Indigenous leaders about the reality of the climate crisis in their communities, crucial efforts to adapt and build resilience, and the power of traditional ecological knowledge to create a sustainable future. 

3. Marginalized and Vulnerable Communities- Evidence strongly suggests climate change is an environmental injustice that will exacerbate existing racial, income, geographical disparities across a broad range of health and social outcomes. Experience suggests that the best way to address climate change impacts on impoverished communities is integrating adaptation responses into development planning. We must bring everyone to the table to assure equity in this transition. 

4. Rotary  and Other Global Service Clubs– Until recently, Rotary International – the largest Global Service club in the world - was not taking environmental action, especially when related to climate change. With the new adoption of the 7th area of focus - The Environment– and the Rotary Climate Action Team Network, we have a new ally in the fight for climate action. 

5. Chambers of Commerce– Chambers have traditionally focused on the bottom-line only when it comes to both business practices and policies. Recently, chambers around the world have started to transition to the triple bottom line and the green economy. This new ally will help the business community and influence local governments to be a leader in this sustainability space. 

TOGETHER with our Governmental, NGO and Corporate leaders we can catalyze and amplify change.

CLIMB TO THE HIGHEST PEAKS

500+ Sustainability Summits/Activities in 195 countries!

We are taking SUSTAINABILITY on the road with no country left behind. Yes, we know this will be beyond difficult considering the political challenges with some countries, but we are going to attempt as many as possible!  We know that each one engaged is a critical part of the shift. .  

During our summits, meetings and/or events, we will be sharing and collating new and innovative tools and practices with our partners and sponsors to help all businesses and governments to accelerate the sustainability goals and NDC’s.

• 54 countries in Africa

• 48 in Asia

• 44 in Europe

• 14 in Oceania

• 2 in North America

• 33 in Latin America

Attention DONORS - It is Time to Make HISTORY with us!

As a  Sustainability and Climate Leader in your country and region, we invite you to join us by MAKING YOUR DONATION TODAY.

Expedition Leader- Michelle Thatcher

CEO of U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce and Creator of the Global Climate Pledge

With experience and passion for disruptive innovation, regenerative economy, purpose-driven enterprises, and social justice, Michelle is internationally recognized as an expert on Sustainable Businesses and is a guest lecturer on Advocacy, Conservation and Business leadership at conferences and government symposiums around the globe. 

When people hear the words “pioneer” or “visionary,” it conjures up many different images:  Blazing new trails, living a rustic life, being driven to be one of the “firsts” or perhaps creating breakthrough innovations or revolutionary concepts that change society forever.  One person who meets all these definitions and more is U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce Co-Founder/CEO and Global Sustainability Expedition Leader, Michelle Thatcher.

Michelle’s childhood was spent living in a log cabin, her playtime exploring hundreds of untamed acres of vast wilderness.  Sustainability, self-sufficiency and a healthy respect for nature were part of her family’s DNA.  

At age 11 she was the youngest person at the time to paddle the rugged Rogue River in Oregon by kayak;  at 17 she biked alone cross-country from Seattle to New York.  Later she became the first person to solo navigate the entire length of Florida’s St. John’s river.

After pursuing a degree in Visual Arts from Western Washington University she worked with NPR and PBS as a professional photographer and videographer, becoming increasingly involved with environmental issues.  At that time businesses seemed to be the Goliaths, sustainability and conservation voices the Davids, creating an “Us vs Them” mentality that seemed entrenched and insurmountable.

She regularly spoke on environmental and sustainability challenges caused by massive growth, and served as Executive Director of both the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District and the Association of Florida Conservation Districts, consulting directly with 350 elected officials for 8 years.

Michelle’s greatest pioneering breakthrough came when she realized that there was a huge opportunity for businesses to be part of the solution, as opposed to the problem.

This was a revolutionary concept.  Michelle recognized a HUGE opportunity to bring together like-minded businesses who valued sustainability, but whose voices were not being recognized in local, regional or national affairs.

She was the founder of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce in 2008, and then joined forces in 2010 with the San Diego Green Chamber chapter. Their mission is to promote and protect America’s emerging economy.  In addition to assisting large corporations- as well as SME’s, Michelle created the "Chambers for Sustainability" where she and her team bring together, educate,  and help inspire International Green Chambers of Commerce to transition their own business communities toward a sustainable path.

In 2018, Michelle started the Global Sustainability Expedition, recognizing the need for nations to come together, create new partnerships, share sustainability-focused solutions/resources and find new ways to collaborate.  She met with top governmental leaders including Prime Ministers, received commitments to develop national energy transition plans and introduced global experts to regional leaders. She and her team has curated an international repository of green policies and researched and curated over 400 solutions for businesses and governments alike. She and our key partners held  innovative summits in 7 countries…before Covid spread across the globe. 

During the pandemic, Michelle created the Global Climate Pledge – one of the world’s leading online programs designed to engage both individuals as well as business leaders, NGO leaders, Universities. Rotary Clubs, Indigenous leaders,  etc.,  to make commitments toward climate action. This program compliments the expedition as it brings in new leaders who have a passion for tackling climate change. 

On the community side, Michelle serves on several international committees and Advisory boards, but has spent extra time with her roles at Rotary International. She has served for 4 years as the Global Sustainability Chair for the Rotary Club of Newport Beach, been a board member of the Rotary Climate Action Team Network since March of 2021, and recently became the ESRAG Club Environmental Committee Chair for her club. 

The primary focus of this pioneer, visionary and thought leader is to continue to guide and inspire International leaders to come together. 

And with  the Global Sustainability Expedition,  she and her team continue to make exponential  positive impacts for the planet and people that will last for generations to come.