About the Climate Fund
The Climate Fund is a non-profit think tank dedicated to supporting candidates, legislation, and innovative voter education programs that champion the critical fight against climate change, the defining challenge of our nation’s future. Unless we rapidly and fully address the climate crisis, we will have no future during which we can tackle the wider range of priorities important to all people.
Climate is already the top issue for many Democrats (13%). Climate is tied with Health Care for third behind the economy (30%) and abortion (19%). Overall, 7% of 2024 voters listed climate as the top issue. That is double the number of 2020. Climate Fund strives to double that number again.
How will the Climate Fund deliver these results?
Candidate Support: Climate Fund will create and support candidates who understand the climate crisis and are unrelenting in their advocacy.
Political Accountability: Report on statements and actions of politicians that impact greenhouse gas reduction and climate mitigation efforts.
Track votes of elected officials on climate issues and ensure accountability during elections.
Legislative Advocacy: Support legislation that creates and implements innovative solutions to the climate crisis.
Greenwashing Exposure: Work to expose greenwashing in all its forms.
Sound Economic Solutions: Advocate for solutions grounded in Ecological Economics, delivering both good jobs and real environmental sustainability.
Voter Engagement:
- Organize and support events that connect voters with candidates and essential climate concepts.
Help voters engage with the issue hands-on, beyond just contributions and voting. - Youth Empowerment: Support education and engagement programs to empower youth to lead climate solutions.
Environmental Justice: Ensure that every person is empowered to contribute to climate solutions, achieving equity and a proper life for all.
Vision
The Climate Fund is dedicated to holding individuals and institutions accountable for their environmental impact while championing solutions rooted in science and technology. By integrating policy, education, leadership development, and technology-driven solutions, we hold individuals and institutions accountable for their environmental impact while fostering informed candidates and actionable strategies for meaningful climate progress.
Officers
Rock Aboujaoude, Jr.
Director
Rock Aboujaoude, Jr. is a dynamic climate advocate, researcher, and community leader with a passion for tackling the world’s most pressing challenges through bold, innovative action. A Southwest Florida native and Eagle Scout, Rock holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science, with groundbreaking research on carbon farming and regenerative agriculture. His thesis highlighted the glaring need for carbon farming programs in major agricultural states like Florida, offering innovative solutions to reduce emissions and enhance sustainable practices. As the founder of The Climate Fund, Rock has spearheaded initiatives to bridge advocacy, policy, and grassroots mobilization, empowering young leaders to combat the climate crisis. Rock also ran for Congress in Florida's 12th District, centering his campaign on climate reform, energy system modernization, and education adaptation to prepare future generations for a climate-impacted world.
Sanjiv Jagtap
Treasurer
Sanjiv Jagtap has a Masters of Engineering and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of Florida. He specializes in computer simulations of complex systems. His academic research focused on systems dynamics of wildlife and rural economics in Africa. Sanjiv has served as the state Treasurer for the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida.
Nargiza Abduvohidova
President
Nargiza has a master's degree in educations. She works as the manager of several small non-profit organizations, including Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the national honor society of graduate students.
John Capece
Director
John Capece holds a doctoral degree in engineering. He specializes in environmental research and advocacy. He is active in a range of educational and policy organizations. As director of Intelligentsia International and Campus Climate Corps, John has hosted more than 500 university students from 75 nations for educational programs focused on water, energy, food, climate, technology, and community service. John has served as president, vice president, and science officer of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida, the largest state-level environmental caucus in the nation.
