CleanAIRE NC

2025 Charlotte Earth Day
2025-04-12 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte, NC, 28213, United States
Charlotte Earth Day coming on April 12, 2025 to the Independent Picture House!
Charlotte’s largest annual Earth Day celebration brings together community members to celebrate our environment, engage families with fun educational activities, foster lifelong connections with nature, and connect attendees with environmentally conscious organizations and businesses from the Charlotte area.
Charlotte Earth Day is open to all members of the community, including children and their families, young adults, educators, and everyone passionate about sustainability. The event will feature dozens of exhibitors representing Charlotte-based organizations and businesses.
This year’s program is part of The Independent Picture House’s Community Impact Film Series. Participate in all 2025 Charlotte Earth Day events at IPH (4237 Raleigh St., Suite 4, Charlotte, NC 28213)!
Learn more and stay up to date at: charlotteearthday.com

Environmental Justice in the Midst of Polycrisis: Where Do We Go from Here?
2025-04-30 08:00 - 14:45 | Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27109
On April 30th, delve into the vital topic of environmental justice at Wake Forest University’s spring summit. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from impactful leaders, including CleanAIRE NC’s Executive Director, Jeff Robbins, and former Executive Director and Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leader, June Blotnick, who will be panelists in the day’s opening discussion. Prepare to be inspired by the keynote address delivered by the renowned environmental justice and civil rights activist, Rev. Ben Chavis. This is a free event you won’t want to miss!
The Summit is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Registration is required.
8:45 AM | WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
8:50 AM | THE FIGHT FOR ENERGY JUSTICE

Moderator: Justin Catanosa , Professor of Practice, WFU Journalism Program and Environmental Journalist
Jeffrey Robbins , Executive Director, CleanAIRE NC
William Barber, III , Senior Director of Impact, The Coalition for Green Capital and Founder, The Rural Beacon Initiative
June Blotnick, Climate Consultant and Co-Founder, CharMeck Climate Leaders

10:00 AM | MENTAL HEALTH IN THE ERA OF CLIMATE CRISIS

Moderator: Melba Newsome , Program Coordinator and Summer Institute Director, WFU Environmental and Epistemic Justice Initiative
Goldie Smith Byrd, Professor, WFU School of Medicine
Lisa Sorg , Adjunct Professor, WFU Journalism Program and North Carolina Reporter for Inside Climate News
Rajendra Morey, Professor, Duke University School of Medicine

11:15 AM | INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Moderator: Ryan E. Emanuel, Associate Professor, Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment
Courtney Locklear Steed , Founder and Director, Cultural Burn Association
Louie Rivers, Senior Social Science Advisor, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

1:45 PM | EEJI FACULTY FELLOWS RESEARCH AT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

Tivia Collins, Assistant Professor, WFU Department of Women’s, Gender,
and Sexuality Studies
Claire Crawford , Assistant Professor, WFU Department of Politics and International Affairs and Program in African American Studies
Daniel Henry, Assistant Teaching Professor, WFU Program in African American Studies and The Program for Leadership and Character
Rowie Kirby-Straker, Assistant Professor, WFU Department of Communication
Khaliah Reed, Assistant Professor, WFU Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

CLOSING REMARKS

CMCL Meeting "Brews & EcoNews"
2025-06-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Patagonia Charlotte, 101 W Worthington Ave #180, Charlotte, 28203
CMCL presents: Brews & Eco News
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Charlotte Patagonia Store
101 W. Worthington Ave.
Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders as we breakout into informal, yet powerful discussions surrounding each of our committees: City and County Policy Support, Transportation, Clean Energy and NC Carbon Plan, and Schools. Enjoy light bites and beer (including nonalcoholic options) on us!
RSVP >> bit.ly/42N9N3a

Charlotte Sustainability Summit
2025-06-07 08:30 - 15:00 | The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC, 28215, United States
Join Share Charlotte and Carben Events on Saturday, June 7th at The Dubois Center at UNCC Center City for a full-day designed for Charlotte residents eager to explore citywide sustainability initiatives and discover practical ways to make a positive impact in their daily lives.
Attendees can attend multiple workshops and discussions from different non-profit organizations, corporate leader, and city and county leaders highlighting the impact of collaborative efforts in advancing sustainability in Charlotte.
RSVP >> https://cltsustainabilitysummit.com/

Webinar: Rights of Nature & Indigenous Climate Advocacy
2025-11-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Join NC WARN and Crystal Cavalier-Keck, a co-founder of 7 Directions of Service and citizen of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, for an education session on climate advocacy through an Indigenous lens, including the importance of Rights of Nature efforts. Rights of Nature incorporates traditional, life-honoring Indigenous perspectives into a Western legal framework; these laws strengthen environmental and community protections by evolving the status of nature from “property” to a rights-bearing entity, like a person. Learn more about how these laws are crucial to climate justice efforts and what a local organization is doing to uplift Indigenous voices in the movement.
Please register by November 4th, 12:00pm (ET):
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Nf4hDTlQT0C2p5eYqu00CA#/registration

Webinar: 2026 Proposed Carbon Plan
2025-11-06 10:00 - 23:00 | Zoom
Duke Energy released its proposed Carbon Plan/Integrated Resource Plan on October 1, 2025, for the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to consider. Join NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) for a deep dive webinar covering the proposed Carbon Plan and what it means for the electricity sector in North Carolina. We’ll cover various facets of the proposal and discuss what’s next in the Carbon Plan process that will last through next year. Registration is free and open to the public.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YXJbFX_JQd-D7fUSIe91KQ

Conversations & Conservation with Local Advocates
2025-11-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Patagonia Charlotte, 101 W Worthington Ave #180, Charlotte, 28203
Join Piedmont Promise for an evening of action at Patagonia Charlotte! We’re bringing together partner organizations, local advocates, and passionate individuals to celebrate how collective advocacy is driving meaningful change in North Carolina’s Piedmont.
Learn about how Piedmont Promise began, the major legislative victories already achieved, and how YOU can help shape the next chapter of conservation in our region.
Hosted by:
Local Piedmont Promise Partners — Catawba Riverkeeper, CleanAIRE NC, Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Sustain Charlotte, and Wild Ones Charlotte Piedmont.
Evening Highlights:

The origin story of Piedmont Promise
Updates on key legislation including House Bill 369
A look ahead at future work and opportunities to get involved
Networking with fellow conservation advocates

Enjoy light refreshments, an eco-friendly raffle, and interactive displays.
RSVP today to save your spot— walkups welcome!

Climate Progress Party
2025-12-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Patagonia Charlotte, 101 W Worthington Ave #180, Charlotte, 28203
This quarter’s CMCL (Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders) meeting offers a festive opportunity to engage with local climate action and learn about Patagonia’s Work in Progress report. Join us for an evening of insight, connection, and community impact.
Highlights include:
A Celebration of Climate Action
This event is a chance to celebrate the progress and passion driving Charlotte’s climate movement. From grassroots efforts to regional initiatives, we’re spotlighting the people and organizations making a difference. Come connect, share ideas, and be part of a growing community committed to environmental change.
Meet the Non-Profits
Our four local environmental non-profits grantees will be in attendance: CleanAIRE NC, The Bulb, Catawba Riverkeeper, & Trees Charlotte.
Guests who complete a provided card will be entered into a drawing to win Patagonia gear. A new winner will be announced every 30 minutes throughout the event!
Work in Progress Report
Learn about Patagonia’s latest climate initiatives and how they’re supporting grassroots efforts in Charlotte.
Eat, Drink & Enjoy
Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages from local vendors, while soaking in some festive tunes & connecting with fellow climate advocates!
This is your invitation to celebrate, connect, and take part in Charlotte’s climate movement.

Climate Trivia Night
2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Sugar Creek Brewing, 215 Southside Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28217
Are you fired up about climate change? Are you looking for a place to connect with other climate-minded people? Most importantly, do you like trivia and prizes?! Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders (CMCL) for an evening of eco trivia, camaraderie, and a lively raffle. Raffle tickets are $5 each and the first 20 people to register will receive a FREE raffle ticket! See you there!

Parking is limited. Attendees are encouraged to take the Blue Line light rail to the Scaleybark station and walk to the brewery or take buses 12 or 16 to nearby stops on South Tryon and South Boulevard.

Event name: Climate Trivia Night
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Sugar Creek Brewing (215 Southside Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217)

RSVP >>

Climate Reality Local Training Event
2026-05-16 12:30 - 15:30 | CleanAIRE NC Charlotte Office, 933 Louise Ave, Charlotte, NC, 28204
Join our partners, Climate Reality Project, in Charlotte on May 16 for a fast-paced, half-day leadership training. Connect with fellow advocates and get a crash course on the science, the solutions, and the practical skills to confidently push for high-impact climate action in your state.
​NOTE: This local training event will feature Mr. Gore’s presentation via a recorded video. Mr. Gore will not be present onsite at the event.
You’ll get the latest on climate science and solutions straight from former Vice President Al Gore, explore issues and opportunities for progress close to home, and start taking action.
REGISTER HERE >>
​By completing a local training, you’ll also complete the first step to joining the Climate Reality Leadership Corps, with opportunities to complete your training online and at your own pace.
