Climate Words
Climate Words is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a free digital platform of expert-authored climate terminology, books, podcasts, and events, serving educators, activists, and the general public through global online distribution and institutional partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Climate Words does
Climate Words is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 88-2831799) founded by Pamela EA and Valentin Abend that operates a digital platform dedicated to climate literacy. Its core offering is an expert-authored lexicon of climate terminology accompanied by curated book reviews, an editorial podcast/webinar series, and live events, all distributed free of charge through climatewords.org. The organization also produces specialized content series such as 'The Language of Climate Action' (co-developed with Youth4Capacity under UNFCCC) and the Arctic Words expedition documentation.
The underlying technology is a straightforward web platform featuring searchable definitions, bibliographies, photography, and interviews, supported by a distinctive brand system (Stampa custom typeface developed with Kasper-Florio and a Thistle visual identity illustrated by Martin Groch) rather than proprietary AI or software infrastructure. Content is created by a network of frontline practitioners, Indigenous knowledge keepers, scientists, and policy advisors, with no native app and no disclosed AI/ML features.
Climate Words is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue model: individual donations (with a stated fundraising goal of $8,000), patron program tiers at $1,000/$2,000/$5,000, foundation grants (Moleskine Foundation Creative Pioneers 2024, Traditional Medicinals Foundation, Re-Earth Initiative, New Society Publishers), merchandise sales through a Square storefront, and contributions via its 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner certification. Distribution extends across Instagram, Spotify, Bluesky, TikTok, Goodreads, LinkedIn, and Substack, with event programming in partnership with cultural institutions such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and outdoor brands including Patagonia and Arc'teryx.
Climate Words firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Climate Words
- Legal name
- Climate Words, Inc.
- Website
- https://climatewords.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Climate Words is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a free digital platform of expert-authored climate terminology, books, podcasts, and events, serving educators, activists, and the general public through global online distribution and institutional partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Climate Words industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Climate Literacy Education
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD)
Keywords
Where Climate Words is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Climate Words business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Direct donations through Givebutter, Venmo, or PayPal portals. The organization has an $8,000 goal from individual donors.
- Patron Program: Tax-deductible donations at tiers of $1,000, $2,000, or $5,000 for patrons interested in increasing the organization's impact.
- Merchandise Sales: Sales of Climate Words merchandise including recycled Tees printed with black algae ink, organic Totes, linen Bookmarks, and durable Stickers made from wood pulp. 100% of proceeds support the mission.
- Foundation Grants: Grant funding from organizations including Moleskine Foundation (Creative Pioneers 2024), Traditional Medicinals Foundation, Re-Earth Initiative, and New Society Publishers.
- 1% for the Planet: As a certified Environmental Partner in the 1% for the Planet network, receiving 1% of annual sales from business partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Patron Tiers - $1,000, $2,000, $5,000 annual tax-deductible donations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Climate Words product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Climate Words operates a free, web-based digital platform that publishes an expert-authored lexicon of climate terminology along with curated books, podcast/webinar stories, and event programming aimed at improving climate literacy for global audiences. The organization is structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by individual donations, patron memberships, foundation grants, and merchandise sales rather than fees on core educational content.
Product overview
Climate Words is a non-profit climate literacy organization offering a digital content platform consisting of multiple interconnected resources. The core offerings include: the Words dictionary (an extensive climate lexicon written by experts), Books (author interviews and curated readings), Stories (podcast/webinar series), and Events (webinars and partner collaborations). The platform is free to access and supported by donations, merchandise sales, and patron partnerships. The organization also produces specialized content series like The Language of Climate Action (with Youth4Capacity) and Arctic Words expedition documentation. Rather than a traditional SaaS platform, Climate Words operates as a content and education resource focused on democratizing climate vocabulary.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Words (Climate Dictionary)
Quantifiable outcome
- Increased climate literacy correlated directly with increased climate action
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Climate Words
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Climate Words technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Climate Words partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, supporting and minor.
- Youth4Capacity (UNFCCC)flagshipCollaborative partner for The Language of Climate Action series - a dynamic live dictionary of climate terminology through micro-documentaries and social media shorts, with 20 words planned for the series.
- Solomon R. Guggenheim MuseumcoreEvent partner hosting Climate Words programming and events at the museum, promoting climate literacy through cultural institutions.
- Arc'teryx New YorksupportingEvent partner for climate-related events and programming.
- Patagonia BrooklynsupportingEvent partner for climate action events and environmental programming.
- The Explorers ClubcoreSupported Arctic Words expedition documenting climate vocabulary through interdisciplinary journey from Greenland to Canadian Arctic. Provided expedition support and expertise.
- Adventure CanadacoreExpedition partner for High Arctic Explorer journey from Kangerlussuaq to Iluvialuit, supporting Climate Words' documentation of Arctic climate vocabulary and interdisciplinary conversations.
- Swissnex in Boston and New YorksupportingEvent partner supporting Climate Words programming and global climate literacy initiatives.
- Protect Our Winters SwitzerlandsupportingEvent partner for climate action events in Switzerland.
- GoProminorCollaborator providing equipment support for expedition documentation.
- FujiFilmminorCollaborator providing equipment support for visual documentation.
- Atmos FinancialminorCollaborator for climate-focused financial services partnership.
- The Oxygen ProjectsupportingCollaborated on webinar hosting including Mind & Soul: An Indigenous Perspective on Mental Health featuring Tom Blue Wolf and Te Maia Wiki.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Climate Words competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Climate Central: Climate Central is a nonprofit climate science communications organization producing visual content, data, and journalism to make climate science accessible. It directly parallels Climate Words' mission of translating complex climate topics for broad audiences.
- Carbon Brief: Carbon Brief is a UK-based climate journalism and analysis nonprofit covering climate science, policy, and energy. Comparable to Climate Words in translating technical climate content for educated general audiences.
- Yale Climate Connections: Yale Climate Connections produces daily climate stories and a lexicon/glossary of climate terms for media and the public. Its glossary offering is a direct functional competitor to Climate Words' lexicon.
- Project Drawdown: Project Drawdown is a nonprofit that curates and communicates climate solutions research. Comparable to Climate Words in mission-driven climate education and expert-curated content.
- The Oxygen Project: The Oxygen Project is a climate storytelling nonprofit featuring interviews with climate leaders and frontline voices. It is a direct content peer — and an existing Climate Words partner — operating in overlapping content formats.
Broad incumbents
- Grist: Grist is an established nonprofit climate media outlet covering climate solutions, justice, and policy. It is a broader incumbent operating at larger scale than Climate Words in the same climate communications niche.
- 350.org: 350.org is a global grassroots climate movement organization that communicates climate science and advocacy to broad audiences. It operates at significantly larger scale than Climate Words in the same educational/advocacy space.
Emerging players
- Atmos Magazine: Atmos Magazine is an independent climate publication focused on storytelling and long-form climate journalism. Comparable to Climate Words in using narrative and editorial framing to make climate topics accessible.
- Earth HQ: Earth HQ is a climate education platform offering free, accessible climate courses and learning pathways. Directly comparable to Climate Words in democratizing climate knowledge for non-expert audiences.
- Indigenous Climate Action: Indigenous Climate Action supports Indigenous-led climate solutions and convenes traditional knowledge keepers. Comparable to Climate Words in integrating Indigenous perspectives into climate literacy and education.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Climate Words social profiles
Digital presenceClimate Words compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Climate Words financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Climate Words leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Climate Words funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Climate Words M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Climate Words
What does Climate Words do?
Climate Words operates a free, web-based digital platform that publishes an expert-authored lexicon of climate terminology along with curated books, podcast/webinar stories, and event programming aimed at improving climate literacy for global audiences. The organization is structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by individual donations, patron memberships, foundation grants, and merchandise sales rather than fees on core educational content.
Is Climate Words a public or private company?
Climate Words is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Climate Words founded?
Climate Words was founded in 2021.
Where is Climate Words based?
Climate Words is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Climate Words make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are patron Program, merchandise Sales, foundation Grants and 1% for the Planet.
Who are Climate Words's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Climate Central, Carbon Brief, Yale Climate Connections, Project Drawdown and The Oxygen Project. Broad incumbents are Grist and 350.org. Emerging players are Atmos Magazine, Earth HQ and Indigenous Climate Action.
Does Climate Words have an API?
No public API is recorded for Climate Words.
What industry is Climate Words in?
Climate Words's product category is Climate Literacy Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation, with a secondary code of BPADALAA, Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 2721.