by Darya Silchenko Last week Darya Silchenko (The National University of Ireland, Galway) traveled to Glasgow to attend the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, a.k.a. COP26. She shares her reflections from the conference with CleanAIRE NC here as a guest author. My observations of COP26 began as soon as I landed at the Glasgow...

by Kat Soltany In 1980, when Steve O’Neil was in the 6th grade, he gazed in awe as his teacher Mr. Jackson showed his class a solar-powered fan. The fan’s motor was connected to a small square solar panel, using energy from the sun to blow air into his face. Mr. Jackson then spoke about...

by former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts A successful Greening Our Faith Communities Summit was held May 20 – 21, focusing mostly on the faith community in the Charlotte area, but drawing interest and speakers from around North Carolina. The two-day virtual summit was organized primarily by GreenFaith and Clean Air Carolina, with support from ecoAmerica, Good Solar, MeckMIN, and numerous other...

by Rev. Amy Brooks It is amazing that all faith traditions teach some version of this truth: that the earth is a sacred gift and that humanity is expected to take care of this gift. Sadly though, when we look around we realize we must do a better job, not just for the planet but...

by Kerstan Ryan On Tuesday, April 27, Clean Air Carolina will be recognized as one of ten finalists for the 2021 American Climate Leadership Awards. Hosted by ecoAmerica, the awards acknowledge climate leaders and organizations building political resolve for climate action at local, regional, and national levels, particularly those who center diversity, inclusion, and justice...

by Andrew Whelan The struggle for climate health and for climate justice are inseparable. We simply cannot achieve one without the other. “When we talk about climate solutions, we have to make sure that they’re just and equitable,” says William Barber III. “We need to recognize that the opportunity to address the climate crisis is...

by Joel Porter North Carolina’s air got a little cleaner this week. Thanks to Clean Air Carolina’s advocacy, CPI Roxboro in Person County and CPI Southport in Brunswick County will cease operations after years of emissions violations. These two power plants burned waste (tires, train ties, etc.) and coal to generate energy, then turned around...

As the Charlotte region grows, its air quality is under threat: Particle pollution from vehicles, ground-level ozone, pollution from coal and natural gas power plants, and more all contribute to an invisible yet serious challenge. Clean Air Carolina executive director June Blotnick went on the Future Charlotte podcast last month to talk with Ely Portillo...