A note from Bob:  

About 14 years ago, ecoAmerica launched into climate action with the tagline, “Start with People.” It was and remains our biggest priority and point of differentiation — building public support and political will for climate solutions. As we moved along this path, it became clear that we need leaders of all stripes to stand up and lead on climate change and move their constituents forward on climate action. We changed our tagline and much of our work to “Building Climate Leadership.” That too remains a critical priority.  

Things have shifted though over the past couple of years. The impacts of climate change are no longer theoretical, in the future, or occasional. Climate change is changing all of us every day — the well-being of our country, our communities, and our children. People are noticing. They are concerned. And, they want to act — but few are really encouraged or empowered to do something about climate change. This has to change. We must go from the few to the many. So, ecoAmerica will be supporting our partners in Climate for Health, Blessed Tomorrow, and Path to Positive Communities as we launch our Local Action / National Purpose program to reach through their networks and affiliates to folks in every community in the nation. Hence, the third change in our tagline — “Everyone, Every Day.” We’re on it and grateful for the opportunity. More details to follow. Thank you for all the great collaboration and looking forward to making an even bigger difference in 2022
and beyond.

We hope you will join us at the 11th annual American Climate Leadership Summit (ACLS 2022) which will take place virtually March 28-31, 2022, including the National Health and Climate Leadership Forum on March 30 and the National Faith and Climate Forum on March 31. ACLS 2022 is for climate leaders of all levels, including those of you who are new and work at the local community level. Join us to be inspired to action by nationally known speakers, empowered with the latest climate information and resources, and directly connected with thousands of like-minded leaders on a state-of-the-art online events platform. If you are reading this right now, you can use the exclusive subscriber code: EASUBSCRIBER for free registration!

ACLA 2022 judges are ready to read your submissions! Thank you to the organizations and individuals who applied for ACLA 2022. The Selection Committee includes international environmental advocate and eco-living expert Laura Turner Seydel, World Resources Institute Founder and Overall Climate Hero Gus Speth, Future Coalition Executive Director Katie Eder, APHA Executive Director Dr. Georges Benjamin, environmental scientist, advocate, scholar, and entrepreneur Dr. Michael K Dorsey, 35th Mayor of Salt Lake City Jackie Biskupski, Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., and Earth Uprising Founder Alexandria Villaseñor. Author, activist, environmentalist and 350.org founder Bill McKibben chairs the Committee. Semifinalists will be announced on January 10, 2022.

Our ACLA 2021 finalists exemplify outstanding climate initiatives. Check out their Replication Guides, which give change agents and the public inspiration to model and replicate continued climate action across the nation.

In ecoAmerica’s, special research episode: Mental Health and Our Changing Climate, In Context - Part 1, we put our report in context — how mental, physical, and community health are impacted by climate change and linked to inequities. We share psychological barriers to action and climate solutions that benefit mental health and overcoming those barriers.

In this webcast, Path to Positive Communities, Director, Deneine Powell, and Water City Program Manager, Milwaukee Water Commons, Joe Fitzgerald explore what you can do to help make your community more sustainable and climate-resilient, what it takes to form partnerships with local government, nonprofit organizations, and residents, and how the Branch Out Program is being used to advocate for some of the most vulnerable neighborhoods in Milwaukee.

Register for our upcoming episodes in the Let’s Talk Climate series, HERE. 

Register for a Climate for Health, Blessed Tomorrow, or Path to Positive Communities Ambassador Training to become equipped with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and resources to speak and act confidently on climate change and solutions. Climate for Health and Blessed Tomorrow trainings are now offered virtually, online. Path to Positive Communities' online training will be offered in February 2022. Read a quote from Climate for Health Ambassador, Lesa R. Walker, MD, MPH in the spotlight card above on why you should sign up.

• The Clean Energy Transition Enters Hyperdrive, Inside Climate News 
• Ten ways to confront the climate crisis without losing hope, The Guardian
• Canadian doctor diagnoses woman in British Columbia with ‘climate change’ after breathing problems during summer heatwaves and wildfires, Sky News
• New York’s Right to ‘a Healthful Environment’ Could Be Bad News for Fossil Fuel Interests, Inside Climate News 
• ‘Cancer has decimated our community.’ EPA’s Regan vows to help hard-hit areas, but residents have doubts, The Washington Post

All of us at ecoAmerica are incredibly thankful for our supporters and for climate actions that are a foundation for thriving communities. If you are interested in supporting our work, visit: https://ecoamerica.org/donate/