Anti-Oppression Circle, community organising, grassroots connector, poet/spoken word artist, Bipoc climate justice activist

At HERO, we are empowering those that are driving change, mobilizers around the world, so that they can accelerate their work.


We work with the best frameworks in order to evaluate each Circle on heroccircle.app


First, we use the Systems Change Lab framework to validate that each Circle is operating within the 14 global systems changes needed to limit warming to below 1.5 degrees C, halt biodiversity loss and secure a more just, equitable society.
Power / Energy 
Industry
Transport
Cities and the Built Environment
Technological Carbon Removal
Food and Agriculture
Forests and Land Management
Ocean Management
Freshwater Management
Circular Economy
Finance
New Economics for Climate and Nature
Social Inclusion and Equity
Governance


Within these Global Systems Changes, the Systems Change Lab framework has identified the 70 shifts needed to keep global temperature below the 1.5 degree threshold. For example the HERO UK Climate Justice Circle works towards 3 Shifts within the Power / Energy Global System
Phase out unabated coal and fossil gas electricity generation.
Rapidly scale up zero-carbon electricity generation.
Ensure energy access and a just transition for all.



Furthermore, HERO uses the Powers of 10 (P10) framework for climate action, which is also used by "Count us in" and which assigns optimal population cohorts for implementing climate solutions between individual (P0, ie 1 person impacted) and global (P10, ie 10 Billion people impacted, corresponding to the Global Population in 2050) scales. Applying a robust dataset of climate solutions from Project Drawdown’s Plausible scenario, research finds that prioritizing community to urban-focused climate action can maximize top-down and bottom-up efforts and support policies and practices for rapid sustainability transformation. The study also identifies the sweet spots for optimizing agency and impacts for each climate action intervention. 
The P10 framework's application allows to evaluate, using the research, at which scale (individual (P0), or City (P5)  for example),  social agency can be maximized to make the most impact


For example, the HERO UK Climate Justice Circle focuses on engaging with policymakers at the local level, the optimal population cohort would be a community (P4), i.e. a group of 10,000 people. This scale would allow the group to engage with local policymakers and stakeholders directly, advocating for green energy production alternatives to fossil fuels in the UK and ensuring that their concerns and ideas are heard.




How we look at Impact at HERO 

Climate psychology researcher and communicator. #StopRosebank campaigner. Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Champion. EGIN peer mentor. Unite Cambria media and comms volunteer. Aberystwyth Climate Cafe co-host

During the interview, Anuna De Wever and Christiana Figueres discussed the importance of supporting climate mobilizers, who often work tirelessly without financial compensation and face burnout. They highlighted HERO's mission to provide critical financial support to mobilizers and empower them to accelerate climate action. 

|
Both Anuna and Mauricio Porras talked about the importance of HERO circles, which are working groups of mobilizers focused on specific climate policy objectives. These circles receive financial support and mentorship, which accelerates their policy changes in their respective regions. 
|

Anuna emphasized the importance of storytelling and the power of sharing the stories of climate mobilizers and their work. She believes that HERO's platform allows mobilizers to tell their own stories, opening up space to create their own visions and set their own targets. 

|
Mauricio discussed the uniqueness of HERO and its focus on youth mobilizers who often face financial and burnout issues. He also discussed the retelling of the word "hero," bringing it back to its human roots and emphasizing that anyone can become a hero through collective action.

|
Overall, the interview highlighted the importance of financial support for climate mobilizers and the value of mentorship and community support. It also emphasized the power of storytelling and empowering mobilizers to create their own visions for change. HERO's unique platform provides a space for mobilizers to tell their stories and receive support, enabling them to accelerate their impact and drive climate action at all levels.

With Mauricio Porras and Anuna de Wever and Christiana Figueres

As we near the end of 2022, we reflect on the tireless efforts of climate mobilizers around the world. These heroes dedicate their time and energy to fight for a sustainable future, often while holding down multiple jobs just to support themselves. Unfortunately, this can lead to burnout and hinder the success of their campaigns.

That's why HERO was founded. Our mission is to empower people to accelerate change in the world by providing critical financial support to those on the frontlines of climate action. We understand that mobilizers need financial support to sustain their work and continue pushing for change.

But HERO is more than just a financial platform. We bring together a community of climate mobilizers and provide mentorship, resources, and connections to help them succeed. HERO circles are working groups of climate mobilizers focused on a specific climate policy objective. By joining a circle, they receive support from a global community of citizens, professionals, and mentors, allowing them to accelerate policy changes in their region.

At HERO, we believe that anyone can be a hero, regardless of their background or identity. We strive to create a more inclusive movement that supports and uplifts all voices. Our name, HERO, was chosen because it represents the strength and courage of individuals who choose to take action for the common good. We want to bring the word "hero" back to its human roots, reminding us that through collective action, we can achieve incredible things.

We are incredibly proud of the mobilizers we support and the impact they are making in their communities. From working to stop new fossil fuel expansion in the UK to fighting for climate justice in Africa, our mobilizers are driving change at local, national, and international levels.

As we approach the end of the year, we encourage you to consider supporting the activist community by subscribing to a policy circle of your choice. Your support can help fuel their ongoing efforts for a better future. Together, we can create a more sustainable, equitable world for all.


Podcast on Outrage and Optimism  “And a HERO Comes Along”

In a recent episode of the HERO Podcast, HERO co-founders Mauricio Porras and Sylvain Franc de Ferrière interview climate tech entrepreneur Anna Alex. She shares her journey of founding her climate tech startup, Planetly, and how the #climatetech space has evolved over the years.|
Anna's journey started with working for Rocket Internet, where the focus was on scaling fast. However, she wanted to make a bigger impact and founded Planetly, a #climatetechstartup. When they first started, people told them they needed to found a nonprofit organization to do something good for the climate. But Anna and her team were determined to prove that a for-profit business model with a strong #purpose could also make a big impact. They made it their mantra that #impact is the equation of purpose and scale, and believed that they needed a strong business model in order to scale and make a real difference in the #climatespace.|
Over the years, the climate tech space has evolved, and climate tech startups are now seen as a hot topic for investment funds. And while nonprofits still play an important role in the climate space, startups are now pushing bigger corporates towards climate action and offering tools to help companies become more sustainable. Anna believes that everyone is playing their role in addressing the climate crisis, from nonprofits to startups, to corporates and citizens.|
During the podcast, Anna also discussed the role of #climatemobilizers, policy experts and #campaigners who bridge the gap between citizens and decision makers to enact #climatepolicy change. While mobilizers have an outsized impact on policy change, the majority of them are not paid for their work. Anna believes that this is an area where there needs to be a shift, and that mobilizers should be paid for their work to put pressure on governments and decision makers to take action on climate change.|
For Anna, a #HERO is someone who has made themselves independent from what others think and is acting on what they believe is right. It's not always what's popular, but what they know is needed to make a real impact.|
Anna's story is a great example of how one person's determination and belief in a strong purpose can make a big impact in the climate tech space. With the rise of climate tech startups and mobilizers, we can all do our part in addressing the urgent issue of climate change and making a #positiveimpact on our planet.|

Anna Alex, Climate Tech Entrepreneur and Angel Investor.

Let’s support the leaders of the future, who are helping all of us secure our present.

For just €6 a month you can become a #HEROMember at herocircle.app and support the world’s most effective climate campaigners and policy changers.

Your subscription goes directly towards providing a #basicincome to climate mobilizers so that they have the financial freedom to accelerate climate policy change.

The Rise of Climate Tech Startups: A Conversation with Anna Alex.

We live in a world where social problems, poverty, and climate change are interlinked, and addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort between policymakers, businesses, and mobilizers. Saskia Bruysten, the co-founder of Yunus Social Business, knows this better than anyone else. In a recent episode of the #HEROPodcast with HERO Co-Founder Mauricio Porras, Saskia shared her journey, key insights, and the transformations she has witnessed over the years.
|
At the start of her career, Saskia realized that the combination of social and environmental issues with business was not common. However, she believed that entrepreneurs were the key to driving change, and social problems and poverty were highly interconnected with climate change. She founded Yunus Social Business to invest in social businesses around the world and help large corporations create socially and environmentally conscious business models.
|
Over the years, Saskia has witnessed a significant shift in the way businesses view social and environmental topics. Large investors have started including social and environmental goals in their portfolios, and CEOs are now seeking ways to incorporate these goals into their business models. She believes that businesses can drive change and play a critical role in creating a purpose economy.
|
One climate tech startup that she is particularly passionate about is HERO. HERO supports climate mobilizers who are doing the most important job of our time, turning action into policy. Saskia believes that climate mobilization cannot be a hobby and should be financially supported so that these future leaders can focus on doing more of this crucial work.
|
As she highlights, we are in a critical moment in time where startups like HERO, alongside other partners and great organizations, can disrupt and create a new kind of purpose economy. We need more HEROES - individuals who are passionate about solving social and environmental problems and taking action.
|
In conclusion, her insights remind us that #citizens, #businesses, #policymakers, and #mobilizers must work together to create a better world.

Saskia Bruysten, Co-Founder & Executive Co-Chair at Yunus Social Business

For Saskia, a HERO is someone that decides to solve a social problem or an environmental problem and just goes for it.

For just €6 a month you can become a HERO Member at herocircle.app and support the world’s most effective climate campaigners and policy changers.