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THE BIG IDEA
We get it — climate change isn’t some far-off problem. It’s happening right now. And if you’re anything like us, you’re not here to just scroll past it.
So this Earth Month, we’re turning awareness into action — challenging students everywhere to reduce their carbon footprint for one week through simple, everyday choices that actually make a difference.
And here’s where it gets bigger…
🌍 Every action helps unlock the protection of rainforest land — one of the most powerful ways to store carbon and fight climate change
🌱 You’re not just building better habits — you’re helping protect ecosystems that protect all of us
🔥 And together, we’re proving that this generation doesn’t just care… we act
This isn’t about being perfect — it’s about starting somewhere. And starting together.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Climate change isn’t just a future problem — it’s happening right now. And one of the most powerful ways we can fight it? Protecting the places that already protect us. That’s where the Rainforest Trust and their Climate Action Fund come in.
Rainforests are one of the planet’s most effective natural climate solutions — storing massive amounts of carbon and helping regulate our global climate. But every day, these ecosystems are threatened by deforestation and land loss. When forests are destroyed, that stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change.
Through the Climate Action Fund, Rainforest Trust works to protect and conserve critical rainforest land — keeping carbon safely stored, preserving biodiversity, and supporting ecosystems that millions of people and species rely on. And here’s where it connects to you:
By taking small, intentional actions to reduce your carbon footprint, you’re not just building better habits — you’re helping unlock the protection of rainforest land through this campaign.
🌍 Protecting forests = protecting our future
🌱 Less carbon in the atmosphere = a healthier planet for all of us
🔥 And collective action? That’s how real change happens
This is bigger than one week. It’s about creating habits — and impact — that last.
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO
MAKE CHANGE RIGHT NOW!
HOW CAN I TAKE ACTION?
🔥 STEP 1: Make your pledge below to reduce your carbon footprint for ONE week
🌎 STEP 2: Put your pledge into action — small, everyday choices that add up to real impact
🌱 STEP 3: That’s it! Legacy will make a donation on your behalf to the Rainforest Trust Climate Action Fund, helping protect rainforest land that safely stores carbon and protects our planet
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For one week, reduce every shower to under five (5) minutes. If you want to take it a step further, use cold water to lower emissions from your water heater!
"The average shower lasts eight (8) minutes and uses an average of 20 gallons of water." (source) (source)
Heating one (1) gallon of water produces, on average, 0.18 lbs of CO₂. A five (5) minute shower creates 2.25lbs of CO₂ and a ten-minute shower 4.5 lbs of CO₂. (source)
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For one week, unplug items each night that use “phantom power” to lower your energy use. Think chargers, TVs, gaming consoles, and everyday appliances.
"Cutting meat consumption is a powerful and personal thing most Americans can do to tackle the climate crisis, and they can do it immediately. About 40 percent of greenhouse gasses come from agriculture, deforestation and other land-use changes. Meat—particularly beef—drives climate change in two ways: first, through cows’ emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and second, by destroying forests as they are converted to grazing land.” (source)
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For one week, reduce your carbon emissions by cutting your meat consumption and going exclusively vegetarian. You can increase your impact by having your entire family make the pledge!
“Cutting meat consumption is a powerful and personal thing most Americans can do to tackle the climate crisis, and they can do it immediately. About 40 percent of greenhouse gasses come from agriculture, deforestation and other land-use changes. Meat—particularly beef—drives climate change in two ways: first, through cows’ emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and second, by destroying forests as they are converted to grazing land.” (source)
ABOUT THE RAINFOREST TRUST
Rainforest Trust saves endangered wildlife and protects our planet by creating rainforest reserves through partnerships, community engagement and donor support.
So far, they have protected more than 62 million acres by establishing protected areas in partnership with local organizations and engaged communities across more than 67 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
