Join in 'Protecting Our Future: A Climate Reality' Nov. 20 in Naperville

On Nov. 20-21, Justin Hudetz of Plainfield and Lisa McClellan of Aurora will join a global initiative by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore's "The Climate Reality Project: 24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action," a conversation about the climate crisis and its solutions in communities around the world.

For one full 24-hour period over two days, Gore and 1,000 presenters from Climate Reality's network of Climate Reality Leaders from 154 countries will participate by sharing the presentation first made famous by the Academy Award-winning documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," in their own communities across the globe.

"Every day more people are inspired to join the global movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help ensure our children and grandchildren have a climate in which they can thrive," said Jennifer Linton, chair of the Chicago Chapter. "During the '24 Hours of Reality,' we will demonstrate how the solutions we need are available and affordable."

This event is one of 37 in the Chicago area and at least 1,000 around the world in which Climate Reality Leaders will put truth into action and bring the hopeful message about today's climate solutions directly to their friends, family, and neighbors.

These presentations are taking place in community centers, places of worship, homes, schools, businesses, and even on social media. More than three dozen presentations are scheduled throughout the Chicago area.

In solidarity, Gore will present at Vanderbilt University, where he received his graduate degree and spent time as a guest lecturer, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20.

"Millions of people around the world are fed up and demanding urgent action on the climate crisis," Gore said. "The tide is turning, thanks to dedicated activists speaking truth to power every da, including the tireless work of more than 20,000 highly trained and dedicated Climate Reality Leaders. I'm thrilled that this year's '24 Hours' will lift up the voices of the inspiring people carrying the climate movement on their shoulders, and I'm honored to join them for this exciting day of grass-roots action and education."

As trained Climate Reality Leaders, Hudetz and McClellan will offer their presentation from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 20, at the Naperville Park District Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive, with the hopes of inspiring future local action.

The event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored, in part, by Wheatland Athletic Association.

Those who attend the presentations will have the option to have a tree planted on their behalf through a collaboration between The Climate Reality Project and One Tree Planted.

For more information about this year's "24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action," visit 24hoursofreality.org.

For more information about the Chicago chapter and their participation in this event, go to www.climaterealitychicago.com.

Justin Hudetz grew up in Plainfield, Ill., where he still resides with his wife and three children. Since graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in economics, Hudetz has spent most of his career as an entrepreneur, owning various franchises and a restaurant. Since becoming a Climate Reality Leader in March of 2018, Hudetz has devoted himself to climate activism and is focused on spreading awareness about the climate crisis.

Lisa McClellan, a lifelong environmentalist, has always sought to make daily choices that have a positive impact on the planet. As a mother of four children, McClellan understands the urgency we face, which is why she chose to become trained as a Climate Reality Leader in Minneapolis last summer. McClellan is the CEO of Wheatland Athletic Association, a nonprofit organization serving Naperville, Aurora and Oswego families. She resides in Aurora with her husband, John.

Founded by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, The Climate Reality Project is working to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every level of society. With a global movement more than 5 million strong and a grass-roots network of trained Climate Reality Leader activists, we are spreading the truth about the climate crisis and building popular support for clean energy solutions.

For information, visit www.climaterealityproject.org or follow twitter.com/ClimateReality.