Internships with Environment America in D.C.

Environment America tackles the most profound challenge of our time: protecting the planet.

We advocate ideas and actions to shift our country onto a greener, healthier path, including:

• Expanding renewable energy, so we can stop burning fossil fuels
• Reducing plastic pollution, so nothing we use for a few minutes is allowed to pollute our oceans for centuries
• Defending wildlife and wild places, both for their own sake as well as the awe and wonder they bring to our lives

Our network of 30 state environmental groups promotes clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife and open spaces, and a livable climate. Our members put grassroots support behind our research, public education, advocacy and litigation.

We’re hiring interns for our federal team. All positions are unpaid and can be in person, hybrid or remote. Apply here today.

As an intern with Environment America:

• You’ll learn how to analyze environmental problems, push for smart solutions, and build the public support it takes to win.
• You’ll work side-by-side with one of our advocates, learning the ropes.
• You’ll learn how to track legislation, lobby members of Congress, and write persuasive letters to the editor, social media posts and web updates on our campaigns.
• And you’ll attend briefings and trainings to learn even more about environmental issues and gain organizing skills.

Our current federal campaigns and projects include:

Microplastic free waters: Plastic fragments have been found in the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay, the deepest parts of the Pacific Ocean and likely in your own local waterways. Some of this microplastic is in the form of plastic pellets- small beads used to make many common plastic products. Pellets are frequently dumped or spilled into waterways, and an estimated ten trillion now enter our oceans each year, where it’s easy for a bird, fish or turtle to mistake these microplastics for food. We’re working to protect our waterways by passing the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act.

Save the bees: Bees are dying. The American bumblebee has seen nearly a 90% drop in numbers and has gone missing across eight states. In 2017, the rusty-patched bumblebee became the first bee to be listed as an endangered species, after the number of observed colonies plummeted 87 percent since the late 1990s. That’s bad news for people and the planet, because without bees, we’d lose hillsides filled with wildflowers and many of our favorite foods. When we pave over prairies, mow down native plants and spray pesticides in places that used to be safe for bees, we make it harder for these industrious insects to feed, shelter, mate and survive. We’re working to expand pollinator habitat so that together, we can save the bees.

Clean energy: Millions of Americans are going solar to free themselves from utility bills and live more sustainably. People are also taking advantage of new efficient technology like heat pumps and electric vehicles to save on gas. We’re educating members of Congress about this progess and the policies we need to make it easier for Americans who want to, to choose clean energy. The clean energy intern assists in organizing events like solar tours, researching and surveying members of Congress, tracking clean energy news, and learning how to write compelling updates for the media, lawmakers and the public.