Topic: Community

All Blogs

A sign that says "This House is Solarizing"

Solarize: the Grassroots Initiative that Cut Solar Costs up to 35%

In 2009, a forward-thinking campaign in Portland, Oregon sought to speed up the transition towards clean energy by streamlining the installation process and reducing costs. The grassroots Solarize movement was able to foster a community invested in solar energy that could achieve cost savings through bulk purchasing. Read on to learn more about the innovative program and other more recent Solarize campaigns across the United States.

August 20, 2021
children and adults gardening in a community garden

Planting Seeds of Resilience

Urban beautification and community gardening are making the City of Oakland cleaner, greener, and more beautiful. While planting trees, flowers, and other greenery help provide shade, improve air quality, and increase access to local food, it can also bring people together to share knowledge and build meaningful relationships. Read on to learn about some of Oakland’s exciting urban beautification and gardening projects.

August 11, 2021
Resilient Hubs Initiative Logo

Strengthening Community Through Resilience Hubs

Resilience Hubs are community spaces that provide critical services and resources to meet residents’ needs in both everyday situations and during emergencies. Through the NorCal Resilience Network’s Resilience Hubs Leadership Training Program, the EcoBlock team is learning from communities throughout the Bay Area how to better support each other and the planet, and help build a more resilient EcoBlock.

June 25, 2021
aerial view of the Alabama power smart neighborhood

Building Resilient, Clean Energy Communities: Current Microgrid Policies in the U.S.

Scaling up community microgrids while ensuring equitable access to renewable power will require a range of new policies and financial mechanisms. In this blog, Kate Ringness and Miriam Aczel highlight novel legislative initiatives in CA and at the federal level that support community energy resilience and expansion of microgrids.

June 16, 2021
sunlight shining through trees in a forest

Celebrating World Environment Day

For nearly 50 years, the United Nations’ World Environment Day has been celebrated each June 5th. This year the event is being hosted by Pakistan and the theme is ‘Ecosystem Restoration’. Take a look at the history of this event and some of the most significant achievements from the past decades.

June 5, 2021