Amplifiers: Atlanta is a new program Generation180 co-created with Rewiring America to bring people together in community, foster connections, and inspire clean energy action in Georgia. The idea driving Amplifiers is that community and creativity can be powerful drivers toward clean energy action. We know from Rare’s Culture Index, that the biggest predictor of people taking climate action is whether they think their peers are. Amplifiers are those peers.
After months of planning, 29 inspiring change makers gathered in Atlanta for a weekend workshop designed to equip community leaders and content creators to drive clean energy action. From comedians and filmmakers to teachers, parents, and communications professionals — participants came ready to bring their talents and curiosity to a program grounded in a simple truth: trusted messengers spark climate action.
We’d like to give a special thank you to Climate Power Georgia and The City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability, who provided essential input as local partners on the program.
Day 1: Storytelling, Solutions, and Local Leadership
The day kicked off with Esteban Gast of Generation180 and Sarah Lazarovic of Rewiring America, who framed the clean energy movement not as a doom spiral, but as a hopeful story already underway. Sarah reminded us that 42% of U.S. emissions come from decisions individuals can influence—and showed how going electric at home, on the road, and in business can make a major impact.
“We reject the doom and gloom narrative played out in the media that says, ‘This is hopeless,’ and ‘The problem is too big.” Instead, we’re entering a new chapter of the story – backed by data – which shows unequivocally that we have the climate solutions we need, and that individuals have the power to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels toward clean energy,” said Esteban.
After lunch, local leaders brought those ideas home. Speakers like Atlanta’s Chief Sustainability Officer Chandra Farley, Climate Power’s Mark McLaurin, and climate-minded contractor Jason Peavey shared how they’re helping communities electrify. Comedian Lisandra Vazquez and homeowner Ethan Garber brought humor and personal stories to the table—showing that climate advocacy can start with a good conversation.
Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, climate expert and co-author of the bestseller All We Can Save, and Dr. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks, environmental scientist and assistant professor at Spelman College, closed the day with powerful reflections on cultural and environmental change, equity, and community resilience. One participant summed up the day best: “It was transformative.”
Day 2: Ideas in Motion
Sunday was all about action. Participants split into two tracks—creators and community builders—to brainstorm new content, campaigns, and community events that make clean energy relatable and accessible. The energy was electric, with impromptu collaborations, idea swaps, and plans already forming before the weekend was even over.
As the last conversations wrapped well past our scheduled end time, it was clear: Amplifiers: Atlanta worked because of the people. This weekend showed what’s possible when local leaders come together to inspire, imagine, and ignite change.
What Did Participants Think?
Here are some of the Amplifiers reflections:
“This was a great initiative to help me reevaluate my climate energy fight personally and professionally.”
“This program surpassed my expectations, I thought that it would just be some nice, new information that I could possibly use at some point but I feel empowered to take just the small nuggets that I have gained to bring awareness to these issues.”
“I am so very thankful for this training. I felt so uplifted by other participants and the presenters. What an amazing and inspiring group of people! I learned so much, both content and ideas about how to better interact with others as I continue to advocate for clean energy. I was feeling a little defeated ahead of the training. I can sometimes be too hard on myself, hold too high of expectations, and let perfect get in the way of the good. Being surrounded by people who understand the challenges but are doing their best to make a difference and who are also actively seeking to learn from each other was so very helpful.”
“I feel like making the change in my life is more meaningful now that I know there are other people in my area doing the same.”
We at Generation180 can’t wait to see what the Amplifiers do next. Stay tuned for updates and new video content from creators coming out this summer.
Want to join our Amplifiers community to stay informed about their progress and learn how you can get involved? Sign up here.
