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Educated Choices Program Named Finalist for Inaugural Climate Curve Prize: Methane

  • 3 days ago
  • 3 min read

Cows graze in a green pasture with mountains behind; Climate Curve Prize: Methane logo and 2026 finalists text overlay.

ATLANTA, July 21, 2026 – The Educated Choices Program (ECP) has been selected as a finalist for the inaugural Climate Curve Prize: Methane, the world’s first global prize dedicated to accelerating methane-reduction solutions across food and waste systems.


Selected from a global pool of innovators, ECP is one of 16 finalists recognized for advancing promising approaches that can deliver meaningful climate impact. Eight laureates will be announced during Climate Week NYC this September, with each receiving an unrestricted $25,000 award to help accelerate their work.


ECP provides free, science-based education exploring how food choices affect human health, the environment, and the future of global food systems. Through educational videos, lesson plans, guided notes, activities, and other classroom-ready resources, the organization equips students and communities with the knowledge needed to make informed, more sustainable choices.


This recognition builds on ECP’s longstanding relationship with Climate Curve. In 2021, ECP was named a Keeling Curve Prize Laureate in the Social and Cultural Pathways category and received $25,000 to advance its mission.


Since receiving the award, ECP has continued to benefit from opportunities offered through the organization’s Constellations Fellowship program. The program connects students and recent graduates with climate-focused organizations, providing fellows with hands-on professional experience while helping participating nonprofits expand their capacity and impact.


Through the fellowship, ECP has worked with talented individuals across communications, writing, data analysis, technology, research, and organizational development:


  • Nseime Brownson, Search Engine Optimization Specialist: introduced new SEO tools and practices, updated SEO across ECP’s websites and blogs, and developed strategies the organization continues to use today. This work contributed to increased organic search traffic and improved the visibility of ECP’s educational resources.

  • Carmina Rangel-Pacheco, Writer and Editor: researched and developed health- and environment-focused blogs, edited written materials in English and Spanish, and reviewed and revised educational guides. Her contributions strengthened ECP’s written content and helped increase blog readership.

  • Najla M., Data Analysis Intern: used analytics and platform data to identify user trends, drop-off points, pain points, and engagement opportunities. Her findings informed platform updates that improved the user experience and supported stronger retention.

  • Alan Lin, Data Archiving Intern: supported the creation of high-impact annual reports used to communicate ECP’s results and secure funding. He also used JavaScript to streamline internal processes, improving data integrity while reducing manual work.

"The relationships and opportunities that grew from the 2021 Keeling Curve Prize have continued to strengthen our organization," said Lorena Prieto Mucke, Founder and CEO of Educated Choices Program. "The Constellations Fellowship has connected us with remarkable emerging professionals whose skills, ideas, and dedication have helped us improve our resources, systems, and expand our reach. We are honored to once again be recognized by Climate Curve and to be named a finalist for this important new prize. This recognition affirms our belief that solving the climate crisis requires not only technological innovation, but also educational innovation. By empowering millions of students with science-based food systems education, we are helping build a generation equipped to make informed decisions that can reduce methane emissions and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future."

Methane reduction is one of the most immediate opportunities to slow near-term climate change. Through the Climate Curve Prize: Methane, organizations working across food and waste systems are being recognized for solutions that can reduce emissions while supporting healthier and more resilient communities.


About Climate Curve 

Climate Curve, a Global Warming Mitigation Project, works to accelerate climate solutions by identifying innovative leaders and providing the capital, talent, visibility, and connections needed to scale their impact. Through programs including the Keeling Curve Prize, Constellations Fellowship, and Climate Curve Alliance, the organization supports projects that reduce, remove, and replace greenhouse gas emissions around the world. Climate Curve’s mission is to advance effective solutions that contribute to a more livable and sustainable planet. Learn more at climatecurve.org.


About Educated Choices Program

The Educated Choices Program is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free food literacy education to equip students and community members with critical knowledge to improve human and planetary health. Its educational packages have been viewed by more than 3.1 million people in three languages across thirty-eight countries and counting. Learn more at www.ecprogram.org.


Media Inquiries: Beth Champion, beth.champion@ecprogram.org

More information: www.ecprogram.org


 
 
 

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