News & Commentary

What We Need to Know to Harness the Heat Beneath our Feet

October 13, 2022 Expert BlogMassachusetts, New York, ColoradoJoe O'Brien-Applegate, Alejandra Mejia Cunningham

Energy Efficiency: Key to Affordable Energy in Michigan

October 5, 2022 Expert BlogMichigan, MidwestLaura Goldberg, Valeria Rincon, Derrell E. Slaughter

Today, October 5, marks Energy Efficiency Day, an important day to reflect on the many benefits energy efficiency provides year-round. 

Environmental Injustice: Cumulative Impacts in Kansas City

September 21, 2022 Expert BlogKansas, Kansas City (Kansas), Kansas City (Missouri), MissouriDr. Veena Singla

The EPA is responsible for setting environmental regulations to limit the amount of pollution industrial facilities release. This approach has been ineffective in controlling exposures because they do not take into account the cumulative impacts or toxic air contaminants.

Healthier Buildings as a Climate Solution for Chicago

September 13, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez, Kyler Sumter

Communities of color must have a seat at the table as we come up with standards to remove emissions from our buildings and ultimately make them healthier to live in.

Midwest Heat Waves May Cook Crops—and Fry Harvests

September 12, 2022 DispatchMidwestSusan Cosier

Climate change–induced temperature extremes could wilt corn and soybean yields, potentially causing ripples to food supplies across the world.

Cleaning Up Michigan’s Grid

August 29, 2022 Expert BlogMichiganDerrell E. Slaughter

Chicago’s Plan for 100 Percent Clean Municipal Electricity

August 12, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoValeria Rincon, Megan Ross

The City of Chicago took an important step forward this week in the transition towards clean, electric buildings.

Unprecedented Rain Highlights Deep Inequities in Centreville

July 28, 2022 Expert BlogIllinoisNatalia Ospina, Meleah Geertsma

Immediate and comprehensive action must be taken by government at all levels to address the flooding and sewage crises.

Chicago Moves Forward on Clean Buildings

July 12, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoValeria Rincon

The Energy Transformation Code requires all new buildings in the city to comply with the energy efficiency standards set by the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and to be built with the electrical capacity and wiring necessary to switch to…

The Need for Green Schools on Chicago's SE Side

June 21, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

A strategy truly focused on equity should include prioritizing buildings and schools in environmental justice communities like the Southeast Side.

Colorado Legislative Roundup 2022

June 21, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller, Sam Gilchrist

The 2022 session brought about major victories for our health and environment and big opportunities for us to continue to invest in a clean, healthy and fair Colorado for all.

Chicago 1995 Heat Wave Still Haunts EJ Communities

June 15, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

The Southeast Side of Chicago—like many communities of color around the country—has been put on the frontline of the effects of a worsening climate crisis.

States Commit to Clean and Healthy New Buildings

May 17, 2022 Expert BlogWashington, ColoradoAlejandra Mejia Cunningham

These are two states that have recently felt the devastating consequences of the climate crisis and are now taking action to ensure their homes and buildings stop relying on polluting fossil fuels quickly as possible.

Kalamazoo's Affordable All-Electric New Homes Pilot

April 27, 2022 Expert BlogMichigan, MidwestValeria Rincon

Kalamazoo's Affordable All-Electric New Homes Pilot showcases how new homes in Michigan and the Midwest can be built to be clean, healthy, and affordable.

MI’s Climate Plan Must Deliver Affordable, Efficient Homes

February 3, 2022 Expert BlogMichiganValeria Rincon, Sam Whillans, Laura Goldberg

The Michigan Healthy Climate Plan includes notable recommendations to reduce emissions but it simply does not go far enough in focus and ambition.

Michigan's Climate Plan

January 31, 2022 Expert BlogMichiganDerrell E. Slaughter

It is going to take all of us to engage in solving the climate crisis. We here in Michigan now have a great opportunity to be part of the solution. Don’t wait: Weigh in on MI Healthy Climate Plan today!

Climate & Public Health Agenda for Colorado in 2022

January 19, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller, Sam Gilchrist

While the beginning of 2022 may feel less certain than we’d all hoped, we’re looking forward to fighting for environmental progress in the State Capitol and beyond.

For Thousands of Years, Indigenous Tribes Have Been Planting for the Future

November 30, 2021 DispatchIowa, Canada, Pennsylvania, OklahomaSusan Cosier

With yields of biodiversity and a more climate-resilient food supply, a movement is sprouting in BIPOC communities across North America to save heirloom seeds and preserve culture.

Denver’s Climate Fund to Focus on the Most Impacted

November 4, 2021 Expert BlogColorado, DenverEloisa Portillo-Morales, Alana Miller

Community Resilience for All

October 6, 2021 Expert BlogChicago, IllinoisMarissa Ramirez

Latinos Progresando is one of the first community organizations to go all-electric in the Chicago Area. With a small amount of funds to cover the energy assessment, upgrades not only reduced energy costs, but allowed the building to fully electrify…