In this episode, David talks with Matt Traldi, co-founder of Greenlight America, about the fight for clean energy at the local level. They discuss how small groups of opponents are successfully blocking renewable projects across the country, and how Matt’s organization is working to turn the tide by mobilizing local supporters and giving them the tools to advocate effectively at critical government meetings.

This podcast episode explores the power of grassroots organizing and coalitions to further environmental justice through climate policy. In this podcast episode, we hear from Xaver Kandler, Campaigns Director at NY Renews. NY Renews is a coalition of over 380 environmental, justice, faith, labor, & community groups, working to further legislation to support climate, jobs, and justice in New York State. This episode discusses NY state policies including the Climate Leadership and Communities Protection Act, the New York Heat Act, the Just Energy Transition Act, the Climate Superfund Act, and more.

Polling 201: utilizing public opinion research in your communications ca

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polling on recent hurricanes and the government’s disaster response, new polling on renewable energy and grid expansion, and new state polls about energy issues in Pennsylvania, California, and Texas.

The campaign that ushered in ‘the end of coal in New England’ has its sights set on fossil fuel power plants and reclaiming energy democracy. Earlier this year, the No Coal No Gas (NCNG) campaign won its major campaign demand: to close the last big coal plant in New England. NCNG has reissued our three campaign goals — with an update to the third — as follows: 1) build unity and community; 2) show what is possible; and 3) shut down all fossil fuel plants in New England. Activists know that change doesn’t happen through electoral politics, letters to the editor and rallies alone. They also know that when a group of people march across a bridge or occupy the halls of power, there are even more people behind the scenes involved in endless planning, calling, writing, investigating, driving, feeding, painting, sewing, conflict-mediating and thinking together. This is why “building unity and community” has been the campaign’s number-one campaign goal all along.

This guide provides a landscape scan and needs assessment of the work being done at the intersection of climate and housing justice. While tremendous work is underway at the intersection of housing and climate justice, many challenges remain. This brief concludes with recommended investments in 1) technical assistance and research, 2) movement support, and 3) toolkits and popular education materials to unlock the potential of the work and ensure more healthy, stable, and resilient homes for EJ communities. This guide presents interviews with thirteen environmental justice (EJ) leaders, including three from “grasstops” organizations and ten from grassroots advocacy and coalition organizations, including two from the East Coast, one from the Midwest, five from the West Coast, one from the Mountain Region, and two from the South. EJ organizations are working on a wide range of programs and policies at the intersection of housing and climate justice, from working in coalitions to advocate for specific policies and programs to monitoring, outreach, and engagement around implementation. This brief highlights many examples of this work across the following categories: building decarbonization and healthy homes; accelerating energy transition and relieving energy burden; and neighborhood-level decarbonization and resilience.

Join Youth Climate Finance Alliance and the Climate Advocacy Lab where we’ll share more about our new “State of the US Youth Climate Movement” Report and Zine." We will review our research methodology, key findings, and how learnings are shaping our shifts in our programming and organizing strategy. With hopes to resource climate advocates to better contextualize the state of the domestic US youth climate movement and its challenges - to intergenerational allies, movement partners, as well as funder networks - we will highlight key case studies and have plenty of time to discuss and reflect You can view the full report (bit.ly/YCFAReport), as well as the zine at bit.ly/YCFAZine.

Michigan’s future includes lower monthly energy costs, the freedom to live without pollution, and more good-paying jobs and a growing middle class. Michigan’s economy is surging, supercharged by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and a suite of nation-leading clean energy bills passed by the Michigan state government last November. Michigan now has more clean energy projects than any other state and is ranked fourth in the country for new clean energy jobs. Clean energy businesses, which are creating jobs and growing the state’s workforce, are the first to say it: They are planting their stakes in Michigan, largely thanks to strong climate policies. The latest analysis from 5 Lakes Energy (PDF) shows that the state’s climate legislation package, in tandem with the IRA, goes way beyond cutting climate pollution. It will create economy-wide change by saving Michigan families hundreds of dollars in energy bills, bringing more clean energy jobs and investments into the state, and protecting communities from the harmful effects of pollution.

This guide aims to ensure that frontline communities can better understand and actively engage in the energy transition. This guide can serve as a valuable resource for energy justice advocates by simplifying the intricacies of utility regulation and providing essential tools, resources, and strategies. The guide breaks down the sometimes complicated world of energy regulation, providing explanations of key concepts such as Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), rate cases, and the role of Public Utility Commissions (PUCs). Learn about typical processes that happen at utility commissions, including public hearings and stakeholder engagement opportunities. This includes tips on preparing effective public comments, participating in public hearings, and collaborating with other advocates to make a real difference in shaping energy policies. Find actionable recommendations tailored to community organizations, policymakers, and regulators. Explore real-world examples of advocacy efforts that have led to positive changes in energy policy.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including lots of new polling on climate and the environment as issues in this year’s election, new polling of Latino voters, new polling about conservation in the states that touch the Mississippi River, and new polling about clean energy infrastructure siting in California.