Faces of Climate Action

Ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things to take on global warming.

Yes, stopping global warming will require passing national legislation to cap America's global warming pollution and unleash our green energy future.

But, we don't have to wait for a bill to pass for each of us to do our part. From individual actions like taking public transit and weatherizing our homes, to community actions like greening our offices and buying locally grown food, we can all be global warming heroes.

Here are a few Faces of Climate Action -- folks who are doing incredible things in the fight to stop global warming and renew America through green energy innovation.

(If you are a Climate Action activist or know someone who is, please share your story here.)

Peace Corp Duo Create Jobs Back Home

In the fall of 2008, Mark Rembert received an invitation to be a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador. Shortly afterwards, he discovered that DHL Express was shutting down its domestic air-freight operations in his hometown of Wilmington, Ohio. He quickly realized this would send the town into catastrophic economic upheaval as thousands would lose their jobs. He immediately returned home and gave up his spot in the Peace Corps.

His friend, Taylor Stuckert, had just been pulled out of the Peace Corps in Bolivia due to political unrest. As he was trying to figure out what to do next, Rembert convinced him to return to Wilmington where the two men started Energize Clinton County, an effort to use the Peace Corps philosophy of helping others help themselves to turn their hometown into "the first green enterprise zone."

They used an empty storefront as home base for their new organization and developed, among others, a plan to weatherize thousands of homes, creating more than a thousand jobs and saving homeowners millions of dollars a year in energy costs. They see today's economic crisis as a defining point for their generation, and believe that with the right energy and vision, their grassroots efforts will pave the way to an economic turning point.

Wind Industry Leader Turns to Auto Workforce

Dowding Machining, an offshoot of Dowding Industries, Inc., began manufacturing parts for the U.S. wind turbine industry three years ago. Jeff Metts, Dowding Machining President, promptly realized that the technology used to make wind-turbines needed improvement.

In September 2008, Dowding Machining enlisted the help of the state of Michigan to invest $9 million in a new 38,000 square foot facility and bought three large, multimillion dollar parts of U.S.-made equipment to build large parts for wind turbines. But Metts discovered none of his workers could operate the new machines, as some of the parts were more than 40,000 pounds. It became clear to him that "the best place – really the only place to find those guys – was the auto industry."

Metts plans to do more hiring in the near future, despite the economic crisis. "I know most businesses are pulling back and hunkering down, but we see more opportunity as a manufacturing company than we've ever seen," he explains. "We have the people with the know-how to run these machines. Here they were in an industry that was the heart and soul of America, and it just closed out underneath them. But now a whole new industry is stirring to life that needs exactly what they can do."

Solar Innovating Roofer Urges Government Action

As a roofing contractor for 25 years, Bill Keith saw that the most common problems his customers faced were ventilations issues. He explains, "By putting in a solar-powered attic fan, you're helping customers, reducing their energy bills, extending the life of their roof, cutting down on mold and mildew, and doing it all by using the power of the sun."

So in 2003, Keith launched Sunrise Solar, Inc., manufacturing and selling solar-powered attic fans. The company has grown through grassroots efforts. In the first few years, Keith sent letters to politicians, business people, and the media, but never got a response. Then, in early 2007, Senator Lugan of Indiana reached out to Keith and awarded him the Energy Patriot Award.

Keith's concept is to build domestically and in his own state of Indiana, where he was born and raised. Having raw goods, workers, and all supplies available right there keeps the state's economy going, and the whole area thrives. He's currently working on a proposal for a project with the local high school to install a solar system on the schools' roof. His main pet peeve, however, is that "the government still subsidizes oil tremendously. Why can't we subsidize clean energy? Anything the government could do to encourage utilities to be open to generating energy from cleaner sources would help."

High School Student Leaves Behind Solar Legacy

As his graduation from George Mason High School in Falls Church, VA neared, James Peterson knew he wanted to leave behind a legacy. He wanted his alma mater to be an example, and he "wanted to educate the community and the students about alternative energies and how they are viable." He believed the best way to accomplish this at his school was by installing solar panels.

He started by approaching a teacher with his idea, then the principal. Then, having gained the endorsement of schools Superintendent Lois Berlin, Peterson began his search for a contractor. He struck a deal with Switch, a Gaithersburg company that agreed to complete the project for $25,000. Now he just needed to raise the money.

He wrote a pitch letter and sent it to local businesses and family friends, while following up with phone calls. He also managed to persuade British Petroleum to donate 15 of the 18 panels, and received some donations from locals who had read about his efforts in the newspaper. After raising nearly $19,000, he was ready to move forward with a slightly smaller version of the plan.

On June 9, 2008, the solar panels were installed. All Peterson had left to do was thank his supporters and set up an educational display at the school to demonstrate the power generated by the panels. He now attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, where he hopes to apply the environmental lessons he has learned to his studies of materials engineering.

Community Cuts Costs and Greens Dudley Street Neighborhood

The Dudley Street Neighborhood in the Roxbury area of Boston, MA, is one of the poorest areas of the city. In 1985, residents created the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) in an attempt to begin community-based development. The DSNI's first operating put an end to dumping by private contractors and public-sector agencies, and also pooled the work of volunteers with help from municipal authorities to clean up the worst sites.

In 1995, Greg Watson became executive director of the DSNI, and quickly put his background in sustainability and agriculture to use. He put forth a community-based renewal plan that focuses on urban gardening, energy conservation, and environmental justice. The DSNI is part of a 100 Rooftop project that is looking to introduce solar power units into the community. They're working with local business to initiate more energy-efficient policies as a way of cutting costs. Watson is also working on the creation of a bioshelter – a 10,000 square foot greenhouse whose profits would be put towards socially responsible investments, supplying a resource for projects encouraging sustainability.

Perhaps most importantly, Watson insists that the DNSI's work is far from done, and that it cannot be fully accomplished alone. "It can't just be Dudley Street; that makes no sense. If we're alone then we were a nice experiment, but not relevant to anyone else."

College Student Appeals to Consumer Pocketbooks

At age 10, Colin Carlson became dedicated top the global warming cause. He began urging residents to cut back on energy. When he was met with opposition from non-believers, he learned to change his message and instead appeal to their pocketbooks by demonstrating how cutting back on energy could help cut costs.

He began at his local market, insisting that they shelve more compact fluorescent light bulbs. He then moved on to local electricians, requesting that they pledge to promote alternative energy and sources of conservation. He convinced local businesses to develop conservation plans, and even got enough residents to opt for clean energy that the state of Connecticut gave his hometown of Coventry a free solar panel.

He is now attempting to spread his message across the country. While studying environmental conservation in college, he also visits schools across New England, advising his peers to do simple things to save energy, like turning off lights or using less water.

Students Rally for an Environmentally Friendly Cafeteria

The Young Activist Club at Piney Branch Elementary in Takoma Park, MD, was looking for a new cause and found it in the 250 polystyrene trays and plastic utensils thrown away daily in the school's cafeteria. They raised $9,000 from their community to pay for a dishwasher and washable flatware.

Despite their commendable efforts, the school pushed back, claiming that "the cost and repair of dishwashers would raise the cost of a meal." The Young Activists, however, still have one focus. Margot Bloch, age 8, explains, "Polystyrene trays are bad for the environment and they have a big carbon footprint..."

She and her peers have managed to convince some school officials, such as the principal, the lunch lady, and the City Council. The board of education, however, is still pushing back, saying that any plan implemented must be cost-effective. They are currently considering biodegradable alternatives to the styrofoam trays, but are still refusing to stray from disposables.

Posted: 09-Mar-2009; Updated: 26-Jun-2009