Keeling Curve

Primary Project Category:

Secondary Project Category:

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Removes/stores GHGs (e.g., projects that capture, sequester, or otherwise enhance the "sinks" that accumulate and store GHGs)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

AIR’s program directly addresses the phenomenon known as “two Guatemalas” – a pattern of political and economic inequality that traps the poor indigenous population at the bottom of society. Our program addresses this inequality through improved diet, education, resident leadership, income assistance, and environmental restoration. Because participants in our program work and learn together in teams for five years, our program also enhances the rich culture, deep religious faith, and interpersonal connections present in the communities. 
All of our technicians are indigenous Maya who speak the local dialects and know the communities they serve, facilitating close long-term relationships. Our AIR technicians initiate the projects and are expert teachers and a resource, but local community members own and manage the projects. 
Approximately 70% of the farmers who choose to join in AIR’s programs are female. Female farmers also frequently hold the elected roles of both president and vice-president for each training group. The program’s benefits are realized by entire families which average 4 to 5 persons and include a full age range of children from infants to young adults. In addition, AIR provides a small number of scholarships to allow promising students to study beyond the sixth grade.

Sub-Categories:

Mission Statement:

AIR’s mission is to implement educational programs, reforestation, and regenerative farming methods in Central America in order to protect water sources, build soil health, prevent mudslides and erosion, prevent lung disease and provide more nutritious crops—while protecting the Earth. We choose Hope.

Sources of Past Funding: