I seek to foster behaviors that build trust and enable teams to exceed their expectations by successfully improving and sustaining organizational purpose, participation, team-building, and resilience in an atmosphere of service to others.
Mark Hoppen Ed.D., M.P.A., ICMA-CM (Life)
Climate Restoration Ambassador
Gig Harbor, Washington State, USA
My goal as a Climate Ambassador is to educate and prepare members of community groups for their individual and group climate restoration action and commitment, including an awareness of the need for climate justice.
I am an educator, a coach, a municipal administrator, and a long-time advocate for forests, green spaces, riverine environments, and water bodies, including Gig Harbor Bay, Puget Sound, and the Salish Sea. I contribute to The Grandparent’s Fund and encourage others to do so for the future of my two young grandsons, Ben and Eddie, and my children.
I’ve lived for seven decades in Gig Harbor, in Washington State, with my wife Marilyn for nearly five decades, growing up working for a family boat building company, now nonprofit 501(c)(3) Gig Harbor Boatshop.
I served as a high school teacher, coach, and middle and intermediate school administrator (17 years) and as a city administrator and manager (28 years), with side stints in public works, planning, and permitting as a lead administrator. I also served as a member of the Washington State Public Works Board, an executive director of a flood control district, a member of the SeaTac International Airport Advisory Roundtable (StART), on a post to the Washington State Interagency Committee for the Puget Sound Partnership, and as a temporary COO of Snohomish Health District.
For two years as an elected city council member, almost 15 years as City Administrator in Gig Harbor, six years as City Manager for the City of Normandy Park, and similar employment—30 years in span—I received compensation from six cities, two counties, the State of Washington, and Eddon Boat Company. (My father was Ed, his partner Don.) Payroll taxes in 54 years of vocation.
“Preservation of our environment is not a liberal or conservative challenge; it’s common sense.”
-President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), State of the Union address, 1984
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Or what he really said, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Who will I impact as a Climate Ambassador?
- Rotary Clubs in Gig Harbor and Puget Sound – Districts 5020, 5030, 5040
- Club members, friends, and family
- Environment Committee members (Rotary District 5020 Environment Committee and Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Environment Committee)
- ICMA Members (International City County Management Association)
- ESRAG members (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group)
- RF LEAD members (Rotary Fellowship of Leadership Education and Development)
What is Climate Restoration?
Published here with permission from the Foundation for Climate Restoration.
About
C. Lewis Tomaselli Architects (website ↗) is a recognized Architectural Firm providing architectural and engineering services in the Central New York Region for more than 45 years. Chuck Tomaselli is the Principal Architect of C. Lewis Tomaselli Architects, which he founded after leaving the partnership off Stetson, Armstrong, Reeves, and Tomaselli in 1973. C. Lewis Tomaselli Architects’ base of operation is in the heart of Utica’s historic district, giving us a centralized location for projects throughout the New York State while demonstrating our commitment to the City of Utica as a base of business.
While C. Lewis Tomaselli Architects prides itself on being a “traditional” architect’s office in its approach to its work, our firm utilizes state of the art drawing software and word processing packages for all of our projects. All personnel, including Mr. Tomaselli, are computer literate as well as highly trained in manual graphic skills. The knowledgeable use of the appropriate documentation technology allows for innovative and expeditious design solutions and project communications.
C. Lewis Tomaselli Architects is very proud of the fact that through the years we have been involved in a wide range of projects from multi-million dollar industrial office, education and residential projects to small private commercial buildings and private residences. Obtaining experience in these various fields has allowed our Firm to broaden its’ base and create a diverse clientele. CLT Architects is proud of the part we have played in bringing this historic and rich architectural area back to a safe and productive community.
In order to follow through on our commitment to provide our clients professional and cost effective services, CLT Architects has developed ongoing relationships with associated individuals and firms in the Central New York area to augment our own in house staff resources providing an extensive range of services, including Civil and Structural Engineering, Interior Design and Landscape Design, all under the license and insurance umbrella of C. Lewis Tomaselli Architects and our local office.
Sponsor’s Message
Coming soon…
It’s Time for Climate Restoration — What the “National Emergency Briefing” Shows Us
On November 27, 2025, the UK’s National Emergency Briefing convened — bringing together ten leading experts to deliver an unfiltered assessment of the climate and nature crisis before some 1,250 politicians, business leaders, faith and cultural figures, media personalities, and civil-society representatives.
This wasn’t another abstract discussion. The briefing laid out, in stark terms, how intertwined threats to ecosystems, food security, human health, economic stability, and national security have already reached critical mass.
Why “Climate Restoration” Matters — Beyond Emissions Cuts
During the event, experts stressed a clear truth: we are not just dealing with a climate emergency, but a *nature collapse* — and addressing it demands more than emissions reductions. It requires restoring ecosystems, rebuilding natural infrastructure, and prioritizing biodiversity, water, soil, and habitat as vital elements of our long-term survival.
As one of the speakers put it: nature isn’t a “nice to have”. It is critical infrastructure — the foundation for food, clean water, flood protection, stable climate regulation, and resilient health systems.
In short: climate restoration isn’t optional. It’s existential.
From Briefing to Movement — What We Must Do Now
The National Emergency Briefing wasn’t designed merely to inform — it is the launchpad for a broader public movement. The organisers have already called on their government and media to hold a *televised national emergency briefing*, to help all citizens understand the scale of the crisis and what can be done.
Here’s what needs to happen:
- Recognize ecosystems as infrastructure — rivers, wetlands, peatlands, forests and soils must be treated with the same priority as roads, energy grids or hospitals. This means investing in their restoration.
- Stop funding harm. Reward restoration. Redirect subsidies and investments away from destructive practices (industrial farming that degrades soil, draining wetlands, polluting rivers) and towards high-integrity nature-based solutions.
- Align economic and financial policy with nature revival. Financial regulators, banks, governments — all must treat nature- and climate-risk as core stability issues, and support ecological health as part of long-term security and prosperity.
- Build a culture of care. Encourage community-led restoration, support urban greening, and nurture a social movement that values nature not just as scenery, but as essential to human well-being, health, security and dignity. ([Nature-based Solutions Initiative][2])
Watch — And Share: A Powerful Summary
The key messages from the briefing have been distilled into a concise video summary. Watch it, reflect — and then share. Let’s ensure the urgency, the clarity, and the solutions reach beyond Westminster.
(Credit to Dave Borlace from Just Have a Think for making the crucial findings accessible.)
A Call for Global Climate Restoration
Although the National Emergency Briefing focused on the UK, the lessons are universal. For us at CRA — and for activists, policymakers, and citizens around the world — this is a wake-up call: climate restoration must be front and center.
It’s time to shift the narrative: from “how do we cut emissions?” to “how do we heal the planet?” From mitigation to restoration. From short-term fixes to long-term survival and flourishing
We urge everyone — governments, financial institutions, communities, individuals — to support bold nature-positive policies and actions. Because without healthy ecosystems, there is no stable climate, no food security, no clean water, no safety.
Let this be the moment we treat Earth as the living, essential infrastructure it is — and act accordingly.
Watch this video to learn about the Climate Restoration Allliance 25-year mission to restore the climate by 2050.
Mission launch: January 22, 2026
Harnessing the Ocean: Why McKinsey’s Latest on Ocean CDR Reinforces Our OIF Vision
The ocean is Earth’s greatest carbon reservoir — and the September 2025 McKinsey report “Ocean carbon dioxide removal: What’s on the horizon?” lays out a compelling, data-driven case for why ocean-based carbon removal must be central to any climate-restoration agenda.
At Climate Restoration, we believe Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) is one of the most promising biotic strategies. The McKinsey article provides independent validation across several dimensions: scale, urgency, complementarity, and risk management. Below, we unpack how those align with our mission.
1. Oceans Must Be Part of the Carbon Removal Portfolio
McKinsey notes that ocean CDR could become a central component of long-term carbon removal strategies and emphasizes that nearly all ocean-based approaches have gigaton-scale potential.
This matches our foundational premise: no matter how deeply we cut emissions, we can’t reach safe atmospheric CO₂ levels without actively enhancing nature’s capacity to absorb carbon. The ocean — covering 70 % of Earth’s surface — is the logical frontier for that effort.
2. OIF is Recognized as a Key Biotic Pathway
Among the multiple CDR approaches McKinsey reviews, open-ocean microalgae fertilization (i.e. OIF) features prominently. They group it with other “biotic / ecosystem approaches” such as coastal restoration and algae cultivation.
By including OIF alongside more established paths, McKinsey implicitly endorses its legitimacy and potential. That helps counter the narrative that OIF is speculative or fringe.
3. Scale, Efficiency & Compatibility: Core Advantages
McKinsey’s analysis highlights attributes that strengthen OIF’s case:
- Gigaton potential: “Nearly all ocean CDR solutions have the potential to reach gigaton scale.”
- High efficiency: Ocean methods can be more efficient in cost, energy, material, and land use compared to some non-ocean CDRs.
- High compatibility: “Most ocean-based solutions do not compete with other uses for scarce land, such as agriculture, and are typically compatible with other ocean uses, such as fisheries.”
These strengths are exactly what we bank on in designing scalable, low-footprint OIF interventions.
4. Risk & Uncertainty: The Caution That Reinforces Our Approach
McKinsey is careful to state that “the ocean’s scale also creates complexity” and that many ocean CDR methods are still at an early stage. They warn of “unforeseen risks due to uncertain causal pathways” and emphasize that “fundamental scientific questions must be answered, new regulatory frameworks need to be established.”
That caution aligns precisely with how we position our work: rigorous, phased deployment, transparent monitoring, and governance‑first design. The fact that a leading consultancy calls out these same risks gives credence to our cautious, science-based stance.
5. Urgency & Timing = Strategic Window
McKinsey warns that unless multiple stakeholders take action today, prohibitive costs and false starts could derail one of the largest-ever climate restoration opportunities.
They also argue for the establishment of a foundational ocean CDR ecosystem over the next decade. That sense of urgency dovetails with our roadmap: early field trials, MRV innovation, regulatory engagement, and stakeholder alignment—all ahead of full-scale deployment.
6. How This Supports Our OIF Strategy
Bringing it all together, here’s how the McKinsey report substantiates our OIF narrative:
- It confirms that ocean-based removal is seen as strategically essential, not experimental.
- It situates OIF alongside other viable biotic approaches, giving it broader legitimacy.
- It reinforces the advantages we emphasize: scale, efficiency, non-competition, and co-benefits.
- It underscores the critical need for risk-aware, science-led development, which is baked into our methodology.
- It presses the urgency of acting now while the research window is open — a window we intend to seize.
Final Thought
In short: McKinsey doesn’t merely tolerate OIF — it frames ocean-based carbon removal as a vital, plausible pillar of the climate solution mix.
That bolsters our messaging, strengthens our credibility with funders and partners, and sharpens our strategic priorities.
Support The Grandparents Fund for Climate Restoration through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
The Climate Restoration movement is a global effort to restore a safe and healthy climate for future generations. It brings together scientists, innovators, philanthropists, and communities to implement large-scale solutions that remove greenhouse gases, restore ecosystems, and build a flourishing future for humanity.
At the heart of this effort is The Grandparents Fund for Climate Restoration (GCRF) — a registered 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 93-2872908) dedicated to funding and accelerating projects that make climate restoration possible.
If you’re 70½ or older, you can donate up to $100,000 each year directly from your IRA to a qualified charity — without paying income tax on the distribution.
This giving option, known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), allows your gift to go further by reducing your taxable income while supporting causes you care about — like restoring a safe and livable climate for future generations.
Making a QCD to GCRF is a powerful and tax-efficient way to create impact today — and leave a legacy for generations to come.
➡️ Learn more directly from the IRS: Qualified Charitable Distributions: Allow Eligible IRA Owners up to $100,000 in Tax-Free Gifts to Charity
Important: GCRF does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or financial advisor to determine how a Qualified Charitable Distribution may apply to your individual situation.
If you have any questions or would like to make a QCD gift to GCRF, please contact us at donate@climaterestorationalliance.org or through our contact page.
Together, we can help restore the climate — one meaningful gift at a time.
The Grandparents Fund for Climate Restoration (GCRF) is proud to announce the successful Phase 1 completion and transfer of the Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) Buoy Project, an innovative ocean-based CO measurement initiative, to DeepGreen Solutions. Based on this agreement, DeepGreen Solutions will assume full responsibility for advancing the project and scaling its impact.
Launched by GCRF in 2024, the buoy project represents a breakthrough in the effort to measure and verify ocean-based carbon removal. Deployed off the California coast, the buoys demonstrated the collection of critical real-world data on CO, absorption, forming a foundational step toward scalable, science-based ocean climate solutions.
This milestone marks one of the first steps in scaling up the Climate Restoration Industry, which is a fast-emerging sector focused on restoring atmospheric CO2 levels to pre-industrial concentrations (300 ppm) through large-scale carbon removal. The Climate Restoration Industry brings together science, innovation, funding, and global coordination to implement solutions at the scale required to secure a livable planet.
Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) is the most promising pathway to climate restoration due to its potential to remove tens of gigatons of CO2 annually. By enhancing natural phytoplankton growth in targeted ocean regions, OIF accelerates carbon capture and sequestration in the deep ocean.
By handing over responsibility for the specific implementation of OIF to DeepGreen, GCRF will now be able to focus more fully on the big picture-scaling up the industry as a whole and creating the enabling conditions that will allow OlF and other climate solutions to scale quickly and safely.
This big-picture focus includes the introduction and scale-up of additional Climate Restoration pathways such as seaweed cultivation, bamboo reforestation, and biochar production, with a growing emphasis on building resilience within frontline communities. It also encompasses the
development of the for-profit segment of the Climate Restoration movement, to be led by the Climate Restoration Venture Studio (in formation). If you are interested in investing in climate restoration, contact GCRF CEO, llan Mandel at ilan@climaterestorationalliance.org or +1-310-400-0265.
The Climate Restoration Alliance (CRA) and GCRF will continue to actively develop, support, and fund complementary projects and technologies to advance the OlF industry as a critical segment of the broader climate restoration movement. GCRF remains committed to this effort and is currently fundraising to support future OlF development phases, including expanded monitoring, safety protocols, pilot projects, ocean health monitoring and, and international
collaborations.
Thanh Huynh, CEO of DeepGreen Solutions, said:
“We’re honored to continue this work. DeepGreen is fully committed to scaling Ocean Iron Fertilization as a viable and ethical solution to the climate crisis. This work accelerates our shared mission, and we deeply appreciate the vision, dedication, and foundational work of GCRF and its donors, whose contributions have made this transition—and the next chapter—possible.”
In recognition of the progress made, GCRF expresses deep gratitude to its volunteers and donors who made the buoy project possible. Their dedication brought a bold idea to life and helped shift the global conversation toward measurable ocean-based carbon removal.
Ilan Mandel, CEO of GCRF, concluded:
“This collaboration shows what’s possible when vision, science, and community come together. We’re proud to pass the torch and remain closely engaged in the journey ahead. With this transition, GCRF can now expand its focus to fund additional projects and programs that collectively restore the climate.”
About the Grandparents Fund for Climate Restoration (GCRF)
GCRF, the philanthropic arm of the Climate Restoration Alliance, is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to restoring a safe and healthy climate by supporting scientifically grounded, scalable carbon removal projects. Rooted in intergenerational responsibility, GCRF mobilizes philanthropic capital to accelerate breakthrough solutions.
About the Climate Restoration Alliance (CRA)
CRA is building the Climate Restoration Industry to return atmospheric CO2 to pre-industrial levels by 2050. It connects funders, scientists, and implementers to rapidly scale proven carbon removal solutions.
About DeepGreen Solutions
DeepGreen Solutions is a nonprofit organization committed to restoring pre-industrial CO, levels by mid-century. It leads science-driven efforts to scale ocean-based carbon removal through ocean iron fertilization and other nature-aligned technologies.
I have chosen to endorse the Rotary District 7150 Climate Restoration Resolution thereby joining with the Climate Restoration Alliance in making Climate Restoration be an “Idea Whose Time Has Come”
Individuals: Please fill the form below.
Organizations: Please follow these steps:
- Create a copy of the Climate Restoration Resolution Template.
- Edit and adapt it to your organization’s language and mission.
- Sign it, scan it, and upload the file using this form, by uploading the signed resolution you are giving us permission to post your organization name, logo, and resolution on our website.