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THE OPPORTUNITY

For years, Americans have been told to send money, sign a petition, and let the experts tackle climate change. These messages imply that regular people don’t have an important role in solving the climate crisis. Nothing could be further from the truth. Individuals have a big role to play, but they need a sense of agency, hope and inspiration to act. 

The path to zero emissions requires upgrading our homes and vehicles to run on clean energy. Almost 60% of US greenhouse gas emissions come from the fossil fuels that power buildings and vehicles, which are controlled by individuals, municipalities and businesses. Local policy changes and individual behavior change campaigns are needed in thousands of communities to speed the transition to clean energy and electrification. We have 6 years —until 2030—to cut our emissions by 50% to avoid the worst scenarios.  

Let’s seize this window of opportunity and make real progress. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) created financial incentives for home and vehicle electrification, but 71% of Americans know little or nothing about the IRA (Washington Post/George Mason University, August 2023).  Once they hear about it, they will still need help and encouragement to follow through with upgrades. 

Motivating individuals to act is a social and local process. We need to popularize clean energy technology in communities, with trusted messengers, so that people make home upgrades willingly. We need neighbors talking about solar panels, heat pumps, electric vehicles and electrification policies, and we need local contractors sharing how clean energy technology helps their customers and their businesses. 

Too many US cities and towns are sitting on the sidelines today. Fewer than 4% of local governments have climate action plans (754 of 20,000+ across the US, ICLEI Atlas of Sustainability Action Planning). We need far more cities to jump on the bandwagon quickly. Communities are the best place to educate residents, socialize changes, find contractors, and help people take action. Local governments also need to improve their ordinances, streamline permitting, and fund community electrification.  Some examples include:  

  • Heat Smart, SolSmart and Solarize programs to help people buy heat pumps and rooftop solar

  • Charging Smart and other EV adoption programs, EV clubs and EV fairs

  • Local policy change campaigns to promote clean energy and home and vehicle electrification

Community-driven efforts are often run by small nonprofits or local governments that are understaffed. They need funding to build capacity, increase impact, and develop local revenue sources to sustain this work. 

The Clean Energy Communities Fund (CECF) will deliver seed grants quickly to 1,000 communities to jump start local initiatives, helping residents electrify and shift to clean energy. Grants will be paired with peer learning cohorts and technical assistance on program, fundraising, and workforce development.

CECF will use a rapid grantmaking approach that is trust-based, empowers communities, focuses on capacity building and prioritizes equity and environmental justice. We will invest in the leadership of local activists and community-based organizations already present in every community. 

We will get the word out. We will use local media coverage and storytelling to create optimism and understanding that climate action is the new norm.