This May we are overflowing with gratitude for so many wonderful, hard working, smart, and passionate organizers – a triple threat if you will! The Climate Heroes of the Month are Devin Schultze, Kaviya Chidambaram, and Sofia Sanchez!
All of these incredible advocates started their journey at 350CO at different times, and with varying backgrounds in community organizing – goes to show how everyone can make a difference in some way when it comes to slowing the climate crisis and building a more regenerative and just future!
Devin Schultze – Legal Extern
I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, which I loved, but I left to go to Clemson University for college. At Clemson I was on our rowing team for a year and also worked with the organization Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries where we worked on service projects in the town of Cange, Haiti. I graduated in 2013 with a BS in Biological Systems Engineering and then in 2014 with a BA in Spanish and a minor in Geology.
Throughout all of this, running has been my primary hobby (although in law school its been a bit on the back burner). I’ve gotten to run some cool races including the NYC Marathon and the Boston Marathon (which is this monday). I also found community through all that travel by coaching cross country and track in the towns I’ve lived in. I also love spending time with my sweet St. Bernard, Bear. I adopted him in 2021 not long after I moved up to Estes Park, Colorado in 2020. In 2022 I left engineering to go to law school and I’ve loved it! It exercises different parts of my brain than engineering, but that has been refreshing! I’ve gotten to take some really rewarding classes: most notably I took a class focused on the law of the Colorado River, which included a two week Dory trip down the river with some of my classmates. It was really eye opening to see how much climate change has impacted our water resources here in the West.
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Kaviya Chidambaram – Climate Policy Intern
I am a sophomore at Colorado College studying international political economy and environmental studies. I am a student organizer with the Colorado Springs hub of the Sunrise environmental movement. In this role, I engage students and community members in climate action on campus and across the city. When I joined the Sunrise Climate Action Colorado Springs Hub, I wanted to support collective action for the climate crisis and see how students could get involved in regional change. I realized there were very few opportunities for students to have our voices heard in the decisions that impacted us. Along with two other students, I presented to our conservative majority City Council on regulations for greener utility standards and ideas to fill seven vacant spots on their environmental advisory board to ensure community members have a say. We organized an event to bring local elected officials and candidates to speak to young people on campus about their commitment to our liveable future.
During last year’s legislative session, I coordinated with the Sierra Club to bring student voices from my campus to their climate lobby day. This year we brought an even larger group of students to lobby with the Sierra Club and 350 Colorado! We collaborate with other groups to build coalitions to elect leaders who represent our interests into city council and state offices. We work hard to connect students with elected leaders to strengthen the role of youth voice. This year we have been prioritizing creating easy monthly action workshops to make climate action feel tangible and fight climate anxiety among our student body. My vision is to ensure students have a voice in climate legislative decision-making spaces. I created a legislative education and letter-writing campaign on campus to connect youth voices to environmental policy action. I hope to further climate action and opportunities for youth civic engagement in our political sphere. I have been a community organizer since I was 14 concentrating on issues of anti racism and centering the voices of BIPOC youth in the changemaking process. I won a Princeton Prize for this work.
Heidi, 350 Colorado’s Climate Policy Analyst said, “Kaviya was the power behind the scenes in our legislative action this year. Wherever help was needed, Kaviya jumped in with enthusiasm and creativity, and there seemed to be nothing she could not do. She was an essential part of our campaign for our top-line bill and helped with absolutely every step of that process. She also helped out on many other fronts of the legislative work, as well as helping lay groundwork for coalition-building for next legislative session. I really can’t thank Kaviya enough! On top of her school work and her own organizing with the Sunrise Movement, she gave her internship 110%. And underlying it all was her warmth and friendliness and her insightful questions that helped shape our work. Kaviya is already contributing to the environmental justice movement, and we look forward to seeing what she will do next!”
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Sofia Sanchez – Climate Policy Intern
Growing up in Florida, I’ve always been inspired by marine ecosystems to pursue environmental protection and have developed a deep passion for environmental justice throughout my academic career. I am a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in political science and sociology. I’ve focused my environmental studies on environmental policy and am completing my capstone project, which is focused on identifying policy gaps and solutions for harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. I’m excited to be graduating in early May! 
My work with 350 taught me so much about the environmental policy process and what advocating for environmental justice looks like. I was able to contribute to 350 Colorado’s work in the Class VI rulemaking throughout the fall, conducting research, writing toolkits, and more. I also had the opportunity to write an op-ed for the Colorado Sun about climate change and youth climate action, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. I’m very grateful for my time at 350 Colorado and especially thankful for all I learned from Heidi, who directed my internship. In the future, I intend to continue working in environmental policy and keep on learning, advocating, and tree hugging!
Heidi, 350 Colorado’s Climate Policy Analyst said “The Class VI Wells Rulemaking was a steep learning curve for all of us, learning about carbon sequestration and how we could best advocate for protective rules. Sofia was extremely helpful in that entire process, from start to finish. Our discussions in meetings aided me in analysis of the rules and crafting our filings. She helped with our presentation for the hearing, contributed invaluable research, and created a great toolkit to help the public get involved. She also helped with other efforts, making a social media video about climate impacts and the AQCC methane rules. In her published OpEd in the Colorado Sun she conveyed the weight of the climate crisis on her generation while at the same time inspiring youth and others to get involved in action. Sofia is a deep thinker and a very reliable and personable team member – I thank her for all her help and I really value the chance I had to work with her. She will make a great lawyer for the Earth someday!”
Thank you so much to each of you for your unwavering commitment and care for making a difference in your community and in Colorado. Everyone at 350 Colorado and in the climate movement have been empowered by your important work and passion for a healthy and regenerative world. We wish you all the best as your next chapters unfold and your organizing journeys continue!
Written by Chelsea Alexander, Bobbie Mooney, and Heidi Leathwood