We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
~ Native American Proverb

Within each of our students, we strive to instill a positive responsibility-based relationship with the environment. We treat this responsibility as an honor and one that is uniquely our own. In place of becoming overwhelmed by the task, we embrace the opportunity and empower each individual to make a difference. Phrases like "environmental footprint," "compostable material" and "social responsibility" are educational foundations upon which we are building a generation of youth encouraged and inspired by the world around them.

With regards to our current global challenges, environmental author and consultant Joel Makower writes: "We've got about 5,000 days to figure it out. That's just over 13 years before the planet's environment is damaged beyond repair. Where's the urgency? Where's the audaciously big thinking?" At the Academy for Global Citizenship, we strive for urgency and audacity to meet. It is those 13 years, 5,000 days that give us perspective. Though it may seem a long time away, the next 13 years will undoubtedly fly by. What seems like the distant future is really just tomorrow. The seeds of Environmentalism that we sow today at AGC cannot be appreciated until they have ripened tomorrow. At AGC, we weave the reality of today with an audaciously big vision of tomorrow.

On a visit to AGC today, you will see:

• Students bringing home organic vegetables from the school's garden to prepare with their families
  

Tomorrow we envision:

• AGC families running a CSA for their community, building healthy families and thriving communities
  

Today you will see:

• Students separating waste, compostable material and recyclables after each meal
  

Tomorrow we envision:

• Graduates of AGC designing cradle to cradle packaging for consumer products
  

Today you will see:

• AGC parents asking about composting at home and where they can buy organic produce
  

Tomorrow we envision:

• No country of origin stickers on our produce, because local and organic food is a way of life, not a "radical" choice
  

Today you will see:

• First graders asking their teacher about global warming as she web-logs from the Arctic
  

Tomorrow we envision:

• Our students traveling the world, sharing their life-stories of sustainability and living in a world of environmental justice
  

Today you will see:

• The beginning of an official walk and bike to school campaign led by our families
  

Tomorrow we envision:

• AGC students living in and designing new walkable cities (and where the word walkable does not come up as an error on spell check)
  

Today you will see:

• AGC working on an Environmental Handbook of our processes and practices to share with all Chicago Public Schools
  

Tomorrow we envision:

• Sitting around a table with the Directors of Sustainability from every Chicago Public School

Some perspective: In 13 years, AGCs first class of Kindergarteners will be 19 years old. At that point, we hope to reflect on our accomplishments with gratitude. Until then, we will wake up tomorrow and work to create an audaciously more sustainable future, one student at a time.