Our Vision

Solve climate change by empowering concerned citizens to take action on impactful solutions — leaving the earth better than we found it.

Scientists agree it’s not too late to avoid climate catastrophe, but we need to move faster. Getting businesses and governments to respond more quickly is a direct function of how many people are pushing for change. Over 30% of Americans are very concerned about a warming globe. We just need to help them turn their climate concern into climate action.

Empowering just a fraction of Americans who are worried would have a huge impact. Climate Optimists is working to give everyday people the tools and opportunities they need to make a difference.

We’re not talking about living off the grid or quitting your job to become a climate activist (although hats-off to those who are doing it). We’re talking about lots of small actions focused on the things that matter. Actions that when combined together, have the power to drive big results.

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The Team

Jason Lewis

Executive director and podcast co-host

Jason’s passion for addressing climate change started with his summers helping his parents working on their family farm where he witnessed climate impacts first-hand. Jason has worked across the energy sector from building wind farms to helping utilities run more efficiently. After experiencing the gridlock on climate action first-hand as a volunteer lobbyist, he decided to start Climate Stewards Collective. As a first step, he co-founded Climate Optimists with his longtime friend and fellow farm kid, Todd Tschida. Jason lives in Portland Oregon with his girlfriend and is an avid kiteboarder and rock climber.

Thomas Mills

Podcast co-host

Ever since childhood, Thomas has had a passion for sustainability. He landed his first job out of university as a wind farm designer and hasn’t looked back. He spent over a decade in the wind industry, leading project siting as well as sales and operational technical support. More recently he’s been back in Tasmania working on decarbonizing the commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors. Recognizing the value of having more people educated on climate solutions, he’s joined forces with the Climate Optimist podcast to help promote a world where there is no longer a dependance upon fossil fuels. When not working to reduce carbon emissions, Thomas likes to spend time growing and preserving fruit on his family’s farm in Tasmania or building and riding bicycles.

Flora Gladwin

Junior Producer and podcast co-host

Flora grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but spent summers with her grandparents in Southern Oregon. She watched the Klamath Basin water wars develop and saw firsthand the devastating effects of megafires fueled by a changing climate. These events drove her interest in Environmental Science and she’s now a fourth-year student at Reed College studying Anthropology SETS (Science Environmental Technology Studies). She’s the Junior Producer for the Climate Optimists team and a co-host on the podcast as well. Flora lives in Portland, Oregon. Her non-climate pursuits include soccer, drawing/painting, teaching, and hiking in the old-growth forests of the Pacific NW.