While climate change is a global challenge, local and state governments are often at the forefront of developing actionable solutions. Many cities and states have created initiatives and enacted policies to cut emissions and build climate resilience. State and local government climate action plans provide detailed, strategic roadmaps for how local communities can plan for and mitigate impacts. These plans are implemented through regulatory bodies and governmental agencies that look broadly across sectors - energy, transportation, agriculture, and industry. Regardless of what level of government sets climate policy, local and state governments are responsible for its implementation, making them critical stakeholders in climate action.
Dr. Kenya L. Goodson is vice-president of the board of the Black Warrior River Keeper, adjunct professor of environmental science at the University of Montevallo, and science instructor for first generation college-bound high schoolers through Stillman College's Upward Bound program. Read her story about her path to applying her science background to improve environmental education and management in her community.
Jeffrey Warren is the acting executive director at the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory, headquartered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). With a background in geological sciences, Warren has served as the science and energy advisor to the North Carolina Senate. He has directed research at the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory since 2017.
Ecologist Allison S. Smith is the community engagement strategist and brownfields program manager for the Louisville Metro Government in Kentucky. ESAL interviewed Smith on how her scientific background both motivates and informs the work in her community.
Philip Higuera is an associate professor of fire ecology at the University of Montana, focusing on the relationships between climate, vegetation, and fire activity. Higuera collaborates with community members, policy makers, and land managers to define “resilience to wildfires,” based on human values and the best fire ecology science.
On September 12, ESAL hosted a roundtable discussion on local water policy in Oakland, California. The event featured a panel of San Francisco Bay Area leaders who contribute to innovation in water-related technologies and policy decision making.
Ken Alston brought his experience working at the Department of Energy and Obama administration to New Energy Nexus, where he focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and international startups. The organization’s ambitious platform includes elevating 100,000 startups by 2030 in a quest to reach 100% clean energy.
The CivicSpark fellowship program has engaged over 200 fellows and some 35,000 California residents on projects concerning sea level rise, affordable housing, climate action planning, and sustainable transportation. Scheuer told ESAL about the program’s new “resilience” focus as they prepare to select their latest cohort of fellows.
Audrey Lee, a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, has helped translate energy policy at the highest levels of US government, advised the president of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and served on the BART Environmental Justice Commission. At Sunrun, she continues to work closely with policymakers, bringing residential energy solutions like solar and batteries to market to meet environmental and policy goals.
Alex Luce, a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, volunteers his expertise on Berkeley’s Energy Commission. The Commission is focused on helping the city achieve its climate and energy goals.
