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Investing in Tomorrow: Clean Energy as the Path to Prosperity for All
On Earth Day 1993, I delivered the first major speech of my life. It was in New York City’s Bryant Park, kicking off a nationwide tour to rally opposition to the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Highway Robbery in Alabama
Imagine the neighborhood your family has lived in for more than 150 years being turned into a deteriorating flood zone. Now imagine the flooding was caused by the state. That is what is happening to the people of Elba, Alabama’s historic Black Shiloh community.
Whales Are Dying and the Fossil Fuel Industry is Lying
Whoever would have thought fossil fuel industry front groups would make whales and other marine species a cultural wedge issue? However, thanks to a deception campaign targeting wind energy that’s exactly where we find ourselves.
Vice President Harris' Fight for Reproductive Freedom
It matters deeply that America has a woman as our vice president. That has never been truer than at this moment.
Big Polluters vs. Our Kids
Far too often, big polluters feed us the lie that we have to choose between clean air or a healthy economy. Last week, the Biden-Harris administration made a big move that shows Americans do not have to choose. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) released updated protective air quality standards that will save both lives and money.
Setting the Record Straight on an Important Piece of Black History
With the start of Black History Month, I brace myself for the mis-telling of Black History yet again.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s LNG Decision is the Hope Young People Have Been Waiting For
James Hiatt lives in an area along the Mississippi River in Louisiana that has been dubbed “Cancer Alley.” Teeming with chemical plants and oil and gas refineries, the air the residents of this area breathe contains more carcinogens than anywhere else in the country.
Power Grids Supplied By Clean Energy Are More Reliable. That Saves Lives
February, 2021. A rare Valentines Day winter storm wallops Texas with snow and a deep freeze.
In the Gap Between January 6 and MLK Day, Once Forbidden History Offers Hope
Even Ron DeSantis had to admit, when pressed at a CNN townhall, January 6 was a bad day for America.
America’s Unspoken Suicide Pandemic is the Sharp Edge of Social Isolation
The news stays filled with endless examples of hyper-partisanship out of Washington. It is no surprise most people think that’s the only thing happening in Washington. It’s not.
The Story of the Orcas and the Salmon, On the Endangered Species Act's 50th Birthday
Thanks to 20th century aquariums and marine theme parks, orcas – also known as killer whales – are the most iconic whales in America. When the public learned their captivity involved torture, orca shows disappeared from those parks, as they should have. Now there are signs that certain groups of orcas could disappear entirely.
Common Grounds Is a Testament to the Power of Film to Change Hearts and Minds
Soil. It’s where our food comes from and the foundation of all life on land.
How the Clean Energy Win in Michigan Provides a Roadmap for Other States
The historic Clean Energy Future Package and Clean Energy and Jobs Act, just recently signed into law by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, will greatly accelerate the state’s transition to the exclusive use of clean power sources like wind and solar.
Overcoming the Oil and Gas Industry's Influence at COP28
Last Douglass said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
For Too Many Kids Getting Outside Is Easier Said Than Done
Last week, after a restful Thanksgiving, my family made a deliberate choice to #OptOutside on Friday. #OptOutside is a growing movement in which participating organizations and companies close their doors on Black Friday, give their employees a paid day off, and encourage all of us to embrace the serenity of nature instead of succumbing to the frenzy of Black Friday shopping. I’m an outdoors enthusiast, from a long line of outdoors enthusiasts.
Environmental Sacrifice Zones Can Be Beacons of Clean Energy Investment
Lower Richland County, South Carolina is a place with rich history. The region, which sits on wetlands and a floodplain forest fed by the Congaree River, was an established agricultural center dating back more than 300 years. It’s home to Congaree National Park and other important sites that are central to the experiences of the African Americans and Indigenous people who have lived on the land over the centuries.
Voters Spoke: Climate Action is Here to Stay
This month’s election results should be a wakeup call to any politician who had been unsure of Americans’ desire for robust climate action and support for a green economy. In states and counties that are red, blue, and everywhere in between, voters favored forward-looking candidates who embraced both the need for and the economic benefits of aggressive climate action.
Making Connections That Can Help Save the Planet
If we’re going to realize the climate benefits of historic federal support for clean energy and jobs approved in the last two years, connections are the key. And I’m not just talking about electrifying homes and buildings.
Steel Mills Can Steal from the Least Powerful
U.S. Steel gave birth to Gary, Indiana in 1906. The city, named after a chairman of the corporation’s board, started as housing for steelworkers. The Gary Works opened in 1908 and for most of the 20th century was the largest steel mill in the world; it’s still the largest in this country.
The Dirty Truth about Utility Companies’ Clean Energy Efforts
Imagine telling your boss that you’ll complete less than half of the work that’s needed, getting almost nothing done over 12 months, then asking for a raise.
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