by Daniel Cusick

Flooding in New Orleans’ historically Black communities was a problem long before Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city in 2005. And it’s only likely to get worse as climate change heats the planet, raises sea levels and increases the chance of major rain events.

Which is why locals are rallying around a new approach — one that marries economic opportunity with a greener approach to infrastructure that includes rain gardens, rain barrels and pavement that can help drain stormwater.

The strategy already is showing promise in iconic New Orleans neighborhoods such as Desire, Tremé and what is now … Read More >>

by Audrey Henderson

Solar is more than a source of power. For the community of Hough in Cleveland, solar energy is viewed as an engine for community development — and a possible template for similar projects across the country. 

However, challenges and potential roadblocks remain, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic along with the issue of utility ownership of community-based solar developments.

Like many communities of color across the country, and especially in the Rust Belt, the Hough neighborhood in Cleveland has weathered a number of setbacks. Redlining especially created a massive gap in homeownership within the predominantly Black community of … Read More >>

by Moninisha Yadav

Since 2012, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has awarded $7.2 million to 138 new clean technology enterprises and research teams. In late August of 2021, the MassCEC, MassVentures and the InnovateMass program launched a $2.6 million grant package with their Catalyst and Diversity in Cleantech – Early Stages (DICES) programs to support clean energy innovation, specifically from women or minority-owned startups. The programs aim to ensure that early-stage ventures have the necessary resources to advance critical technologies toward sustainable, marketable products. Among the projects that will benefit from this round of grants are an automated solar … Read More >>

Margarita Calo left Puerto Rico 21 years ago and carved out a new life in Florida, but her heart has never strayed far from her roots.

Now a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, she helped contact members of the organization last year to understand their needs and provide guidance about resources during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I always have a passion to continue supporting the Hispanic community even though I’m no longer living in Puerto Rico,” Calo said. “Last year was a pretty tough year for everyone. Hispanics are a close-knit community; I consider each and … Read More >>

by The Editorial Board

Crude prices hit $80 a barrel on Tuesday, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) warned oil could skyrocket without increased investment in new production. So much for the claim that the death of fossil fuels is nigh.

Europe’s climate follies have created fuel shortages and price spikes that are rippling through global energy markets. Demand for liquefied natural gas in Europe has soared due to waning wind production, the shutdown of coal and nuclear plants, and lower Russian gas deliveries. But there’s not enough LNG to supply Europe and the world.

Asia and … Read More >>

by Luciana Paulise

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because … Read More >>

by Michael James Timberlake

As Congress considers the most significant domestic investment ever made to speed America’s transition to clean energy, a new employment report from a collaboration of business, equity, and energy organizations highlights the need for Congress to include funding to advance diversity in clean energy and ensure women, disadvantaged communities, and workers of color are not left out of one of America’s great economic expansions.

According to Help Wanted: Diversity in Clean Energy, about 60 percent of clean energy workers across America are non-Hispanic whites and more than 70 percent are men. Black and Hispanic or Latino workers are underrepresented across clean energy technologies compared to the national average while women hold less than 30 … Read More >>