All of us should do what we can in our own homes to conserve and use energy more efficiently, and promote solar and wind power. But with a problem this big, of course we need to do more.
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Out with the old
We have the power to harness clean, abundant energy from the sun and the wind, and we can do it more efficiently and cheaply than ever before. Yet we’re still producing, consuming and wasting energy in ways that do lasting damage to our environment and our health — fracking for gas near schools instead of putting solar panels on their roofs; drilling for oil near beaches instead of harnessing the winds that blow offshore; and burning coal, oil and gas instead of powering our homes, cars and lives with clean, renewable energy.
A bold vision, achieved one step at a time
We’re promoting a bold and clear vision of a greener, healthier world, one powered solely by clean, renewable energy. We’re also taking concrete steps right now that will bring us closer to the world we want to live in. Our 100% Renewable campaign is focused on three arenas in which we can make the most immediate progress: college and university campuses, cities and states, and Congress.
100% Renewable: State and local
By thinking globally and acting locally, we can make huge steps forward to clean up our energy supply. Mayors, governors and other local and state leaders can take the initiative on clean, renewable energy.
We are spearheading the effort to convince states to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. In 2018, Environment California led the campaign to pass a bill committing the Golden State to a goal of reaching 100 percent renewable and zero-carbon electricity by 2045. In 2019, Environment New Mexico duplicated that success, helping to win approval of a similar bill. We’re now supporting 100 percent renewable energy bills in nine other states: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota and Washington.
Pennsylvania rally / Brenda Nguyen Photography
Our state and local advocates and organizers already have helped persuade Atlanta, Tempe, Arizona, Las Cruces, New Mexico, St. Petersburg and Tallahassee, Florida, and Spokane, Washington, to commit to a full transition to renewable energy. .
Our researchers, advocates, members and activists have won significant progress on clean energy over the past few decades, including policies that have resulted in greater energy efficiency, more wind power and more solar power in 25 states.
To achieve this goal, our organizers are working with 50 campuses in 12 states, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Florida State University, New Mexico State University, Vanderbilt University, University of Massachusetts and University of Washington. To date, over 900 faculty members from across the country have supported us—many of whom will prove to be valuable allies when we ask local and state government leaders to consider taking similar action.
To lay the foundation for this critical work we have released a series of reports and factsheets including Renewable Energy 101: Tools to Move Your Campus to 100% Clean Energy; we’ve spoken at conferences to students, faculty and administrators, and partnered with Second Nature, the leaders of the President’s Climate Commitments.
Currents of energy and hope
Robert F. Kennedy once said that each time we stand up for an ideal, we send forth a “tiny ripple of hope.”
Imagine ripples of energy emanating from each new campus or each new city or town that commits to 100 percent renewable power. Imagine these ripples converging into a great current that reaches every corner of our country and shines a beacon of hope to the rest of the world. That’s what this campaign is all about.