Environmental Justice Community Listening Session
2022-12-14 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Gov. Roy Cooper is seeking community input on environmental justice issues. Join a special Community Input Session on Wednesday, December 14th to share your community’s story with NC policymakers.
No one knows your story better than you. But you can share your unique perspective on the issues that impact you and your community. When policymakers better understand the problem, they can create more informed solutions.
You can register for the event, or sign up to be a speaker, here.
Additionally, our partners at ToxicFree NC will host a storytelling workshop on Monday, December 12th, from 6pm – 7:30pm to help community members prepare for the listening session. You can register for this important meeting here.

Advanced Clean Trucks Rule: Info Session
2023-01-09 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Over the next few weeks state policymakers will hold a series of meetings to develop an Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule that promotes clean, electric trucks in North Carolina. And they want to hear from you.
The meetings will start Monday with a virtual Info Session, hosted by the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality. Please attend to learn how we can shape the ACT and cut tailpipe emissions across NC’s highways and communities.
Learn more and join online here.
Four public hearings will follow the information session to allow community input on how NC should promote the shift to cleaner vehicles. All meetings are open for community participation:

Charlotte Hearing | Friday, January 13, 9-11 am | Register here >>
Burlington Hearing | Monday, January 23, 4-6 pm | Register here >>
Pembroke Hearing | Wednesday, January 25, 1-3 pm | Register here >>
Virtual Hearing | Tuesday, February 21, 1-2:30 pm | Join here >>

Advanced Clean Trucks Rule: Public Hearing (Charlotte)
2023-01-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Centralina Regional Council, 10735 David Taylor Drive #250, Charlotte, NC, 28262, United States
State policymakers are gathering community input to develop an Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule that promotes clean, electric trucks in North Carolina. The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality will hold a public hearing and listening session in Charlotte on Friday, January 13. Please attend to help shape the ACT and cut tailpipe emissions across NC’s highways and communities.
Registration is required — register here.

Additional public hearings will take place in Burlington, Pembroke, and virtually. All meetings are open for community participation:

Burlington Hearing | Monday, January 23, 4-6 pm | Register here >>
Pembroke Hearing | Wednesday, January 25, 1-3 pm | Register here >>
Virtual Hearing | Tuesday, February 21, 1-2:30 pm | Join here >>

DEQ will also host a virtual Info Session before the hearings begin to help communities prepare. You can join the January 9 Info Session here.

NCEJN Civic Engagement Series: Spidey Sens-r Workshop
2023-01-21 10:00 - 14:00 | C.M. Eppes Community and Recreation Center, 400 Nash Street, Greenville, NC, 27834, United States
Did you know you can monitor air quality using spider webs? Metals in the air settle as dust onto webs, allowing us to detect differences in air quality at the neighborhood level. Attend this free workshop to learn about innovative air quality tools communities can use to monitor their environment, including the Spidey Sens-r Network!
Attendees will learn how to identify and collect webs, log coordinates, and send them to the lab where the type and amount of metals in the sample can be identified. Click here to learn more and to register for this amazing workshop.

Advanced Clean Trucks Rule: Public Hearing (Burlington)
2023-01-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Alamance County Center, 209-C North Graham Hopedale Road, Burlington, 27217
State policymakers are gathering community input to develop an Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule that promotes clean, electric trucks in North Carolina. The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality will hold a public hearing and listening session in Burlington on Monday, January 23. Please attend to help shape the ACT and cut tailpipe emissions across NC’s highways and communities.
Registration is required — register here.

Additional public hearings will take place in Charlotte, Pembroke, and virtually. All meetings are open for community participation:

Charlotte Hearing | Friday, January 13, 9-11 am | Register here >>
Pembroke Hearing | Wednesday, January 25, 1-3 pm | Register here >>
Virtual Hearing | Tuesday, February 21, 1-2:30 pm | Join here >>

DEQ will also host a virtual Info Session before the hearings begin to help communities prepare. You can join the January 9 Info Session here.

Advanced Clean Trucks Rule: Public Hearing (Pembroke)
2023-01-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Lumber River Council of Governments, 30 CJ Walker Road, Pembroke, NC, 28372, United States
State policymakers are gathering community input to develop an Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule that promotes clean, electric trucks in North Carolina. The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality will hold a public hearing and listening session in Pembroke on Wednesday, January 25. Please attend to help shape the ACT and cut tailpipe emissions across NC’s highways and communities.
Registration is required — register here.

Additional public hearings will take place in Charlotte, Burlington, and virtually. All meetings are open for community participation:

Charlotte Hearing | Friday, January 13, 9-11 am | Register here >>
Burlington Hearing | Monday, January 23, 4-6 pm | Register here >>
Virtual Hearing | Tuesday, February 21, 1-2:30 pm | Join here >>

DEQ will also host a virtual Info Session before the hearings begin to help communities prepare. You can join the January 9 Info Session here.

CleanAIRE Book Club Meeting
2023-01-25 18:30 - 20:30, 2023-03-22 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual

EPA Training on Proposed Clean Air Act Rule
2023-01-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
EPA to Host Virtual Training on Proposed Clean Air Act Rule

EPA will host a training on January 31, 2023 to provide an overview of the proposed rule to update the Agency’s regulations governing the timelines and other requirements for state plans to limit pollution from existing sources under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. It will also provide information on how to effectively engage in the regulatory process and an opportunity to ask clarifying questions. Although this training is open to the public, it will include information tailored to specific groups: communities with environmental justice concerns, tribal nations, tribal environmental professionals, and small business stakeholders. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public. The event will be held using Zoom, and a toll-free call-in number will be available.

Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM (Eastern time)
Register Here: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItc-qrrj4pG2o5wylIh3ZMgga71ynw1KE

To read the proposed rule and an accompanying fact sheet, please click HERE. EPA will take public comment on the proposed updates through Feb. 27, 2023.

Background: On December 14, 2022, the EPA Administrator signed the proposed updates to the Agency’s regulations governing the timelines and other requirements for state plans to limit pollution from existing sources under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. EPA’s “Implementing Regulations” apply to states that must submit plans for existing sources of pollution covered by Emissions Guidelines and to eligible Tribal Nations that choose to develop their own plans. The proposed updates would revise several timing requirements for state plans, including the allowed time for states to submit plans and for EPA to review them, among others. The proposal also would provide states clear guidance on when they can apply a less-stringent standard to a facility or class of facilities. In addition, it would require states and EPA to conduct meaningful engagement as part of state plan and federal plan development, including with communities and Tribal Nations most affected by, and vulnerable to, the plans’ impacts.

Environmental Open House
2023-02-11 15:00 - 19:00 | Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28208, United States
Meet with 14+ environmental groups in the Charlotte area and learn about how you can get involved.
Location: BirdSong Brewing, 1016 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Hosted by Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders

Advanced Clean Trucks Rule: Virtual Public Hearing
2023-02-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
State policymakers are gathering community input to develop an Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule that promotes clean, electric trucks in North Carolina. The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality will hold a virtual public hearing and listening session on Tuesday, February 21. Please attend to help shape the ACT and cut tailpipe emissions across NC’s highways and communities.
Learn more and join online here.

The burning of fossil fuels in our transportation sector remains the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in both the United States and North Carolina and is the greatest threat to both our climate and health. Medium and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles with fossil fuel-burning internal combustion engines make up 3.2% of NC’s registered vehicles but emit 26% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 32% of particulate matter (PM), putting our health at risk. State officials will hold two final virtual meetings in February to develop an Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule that promotes clean, electric trucks in North Carolina.
Attend a public session and let your voice be heard, and tell NC why you support cleaner transportation for better air and health.
Virtual Hearing | Tuesday, February 21, 1-2:30 pm | Join here >>
Your voice matters. If you are unable to attend any of the hearings, you can also email your comments to state leaders at daq.publiccomments@ncdenr.gov.

Arbor Day Festival
2023-03-25 12:00 - 16:00 | John Chavis Memorial Park, 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Join us for a free festival featuring live music, food trucks, environmental educators, tree giveaways, paper air monitors, seed balls, and more. Discover the diverse ways trees help us all.
Learn more at https://weplantitforward.org/arbor-day-festival.

2023 NC BREATHE Conference
2023-04-06 08:00 - 17:00 | Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28208, United States

Earth Action Vigil: Banking On Love
2023-04-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Uptown Center City, 100 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
GreenFaith joins with local and regional climate activists including 350.org and Rainforest Action Network for a day of action at Bank of America in advance of the annual shareholders meeting. Banks need to hear from us! Help us send the urgent message to stop funding fossil fuel projects that are driving climate change, endangering lives, infringing on Indigenous rights and threatening the well-being of future generations.
This event is part of a nationally coordinated action with STMP targeting bank headquarters around the country as 4 major US banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank and JP Morgan Chase) continue to bank on dirty fossil fuels. RSVP here to show your support for a healthier planet and cleaner air!

Charlotte Earth Day
2023-04-15 10:00 - 15:00 | First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
CleanAIRE NC is a proud sponsor of Charlotte’s Earth Day celebration at First Ward Park. Come celebrate the beauty and diversity of our ecosystems, and discover climate solutions and the park’s new air quality monitoring station.
Don’t forget to visit our CleanAIRE NC exhibit table and say “hi!”
Learn more at charlotteearthday.com/

NoDa Arbor Day
2023-04-16 13:00 - 17:00 | Divine Barrel Brewing, 3701 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC, 28205, United States
On Sunday, April 16th, join us and the NoDa NBA for a free and family-fun Arbor Day Celebration of the wonderful things NoDa’s tree canopy does for the neighborhood! The event will include two showings of the movie “The Lorax;” live music; food trucks; seedlings giveaways; family-friendly outdoor games; and free books for tree-loving children and adults.
Be sure to stop by CleanAIRE NC’s booth and say “hi”! Learn more and reserve your spot.

Corporate Earth Day Breakfast
2023-04-20 08:30 - 10:30 | The Royal Banquet, 3801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC, 27607, United States
EarthShare NC is holding the 9th annual Corporate Earth Day Breakfast, which brings together businesses with common goals of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The event will feature an inspirational and interactive session with a Fortune 500 advisor, corporate networking, an awards ceremony, and breakfast. Get your tickets here and consider sponsoring a table to spread brand awareness!

Decolonizing Practice in Global Health & Beyond
2023-04-20 09:00 - 2023-04-21 15:00 | Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
The Decolonize, Dismantle and Redesign student working group is hosting a two-day hybrid webinar event entitled From Academia to Action: Decolonizing Practice in Global Health and Beyond on April 20-21. Join a conversation with global health practitioners, scholars, and activists from across the globe to explore decolonizing practice, broaden perspectives on collective-building and solidarity, and learn how to participate in decolonial action. This event aims to acknowledge the harmful nature of academic institutions and elucidate pathways to healing and reform. Join us in person at the Duke School of Nursing, Room 1103, or via Zoom. In-person attendance is limited to 80 people. This event is open to the public.
Register in-person or on Zoom here.

Celebrate Earth Day 2023
2023-04-21 17:00 - 22:00 | Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27603, United States
Join the City of Raleigh for a FREE community event to explore earth-conscious vendors and organizations while enjoying live music, games, and activities for all ages.

LEARN about what the City of Raleigh and Community Partners are doing to create a more sustainable Raleigh.
TAKE ACTION and pledge to volunteer and make personal changes to support the environment.
CELEBRATE the Raleigh Environmental Award Winners taking climate action across the community.
WATCH the movie WALL-E at the conclusion of the event.

More details, vendor information, and event schedule can be found here.

Film Screening: The Smell of Money
2023-04-21 18:00 - 20:30 | UNC–Charlotte, Cone University Center, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, United States
Join documentary film producer Jamie Berger for a special film screening of The Smell of Money, followed by a conversation about the impacts of industrial-scale hog farming in eastern North Carolina.
Tickets are free but limited. Reserve your spot here.

Piedmont Earth Day Fair
2023-04-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, 569 Fairgrounds Blvd, Winston Salem, NC, 27105, United States
If you’re in the Piedmont area, head to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds—rain or shine—to take part in the largest Earth Day celebration and one-day environmental education event in North Carolina. Don’t miss live demos and music, debates, yoga, chickens, and more.
Go here for more information on the event and the speakers, and join the discussion on Facebook!

Drive Electric Earth Day 2023
2023-04-30 12:00 - 16:00 | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Come see why the future of vehicles is electric! Get to ride in your favorite EVs and even test electric scooters and bicycles. Chat with EV owners and local EV clubs, and learn about the solar and expanded solar tax credit. You’ll also find out how to charge and maintain an EV and why you should make the switch. Find out if the rumors are true; are electric cars really more fun to own and drive?
Learn more and register for the event here.

Air Quality Awareness Week
2023-05-01 - 2023-05-05 | Virtual
May marks the start of ozone season. To facilitate action to improve America’s air quality, May 1st through May 5th is dedicated to celebrating Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW).
The overall theme for this year is “Working Together for Clean Air.” But each day of the week will highlight specific topics and efforts:
Monday, May 1: Wildfires & Smoke
Tuesday, May 2: Asthma & Your Health
Wednesday, May 3: Air Quality & Transportation
Thursday, May 4: Air Quality & Climate
Friday, May 5: Participatory Science
Throughout the week, we’ll be highlighting resources that increase air quality awareness and encourage people to take action and incorporate air quality knowledge into their daily living.
Air Quality Awareness Week also provides an opportunity for people to learn about what causes poor air quality and how people can prepare for and respond to events and environments with poor air quality—not just during the month of May, but year-round!
Learn more and find out how you can help spread awareness here.

World Asthma Day
2023-05-02 | Virtual
World Asthma Day is a global initiative that aims to bring awareness to the condition, access to medication, and improvements in asthma care, regardless of the patient’s home country. This year’s theme is “Asthma Care for All.”
World Asthma Day Activity Ideas

Climate Change and Mental Health Interventions Workshop
2023-05-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
People around the world are experiencing the physical and mental health impacts of the climate crisis. Certain populations are also coping with stressors like financial insecurity or race-based violence, compounding the effects on mental health.
The American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity is hosting an interactive workshop on approaching mental health interventions from a public health perspective while being sensitive to vulnerable populations. It also coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month.
Learn more and register for this workshop.

IRA Funding for Clean Energy & Energy Efficiency Improvements
2023-05-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual
Join the North Carolina Council of Churches for a webinar on funding opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that can help your place of worship, other nonprofit, local government, or business affordably access solar energy and energy efficiency improvements.
What: A free webinar featuring tax & energy consultants Randy Lucas and Laura Combs of Eagle Solar & Light
When: Tues., May 2nd from 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Online! Click here link to register.
For the first time, the IRA allows tax-exempt and governmental entities to directly invest in clean energy and clean transportation and receive applicable tax credits as a direct payment.
Who Should Attend: This webinar is for clergy, nonprofit staff and board members, governmental decision-makers, and activists who want to learn about these exciting opportunities.
Part 1: A basic overview of the IRA: clean energy and clean transportation tax credits available to tax-exempt entities for the first time through Direct Pay — what we know and what we do not know regarding eligibility, timing, and procedures.
Part 2: Overview of the Energy Justice/Environmental Justice-related incentives and strategies for tax-exempt organizations, including “ripple effect” benefits for job training, cleaner local communities, energy-efficient affordable housing development, electric transportation solutions, and weather resiliency.
Part 3: IRA strategies and best practices for 2023 and beyond. What smart tax-exempt organizations can do to truly thrive under the new program opportunities.

Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board Meeting
2023-05-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Clinton City Hall, 221 Lisbon St, Clinton, NC, 28328, United States
The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board will hold its quarterly business meeting in-person on May 4 at 3 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend and/or provide comments either in-person or online.
More information, including a speaker sign-up form, can be found here.

Public Stakeholder Input Session: Animal Waste Management General Permits
2023-05-09 18:00 - 21:00 | Sampson County Exposition Center, 414 Warsaw Road, Clinton, NC, 28328, United States
The NC Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public stakeholder input session on May 9 as part of the renewal process for six Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) General Permits. Input from the event, as well as input received during the 60-day comment period through June 5, will be considered in the development of the draft permits which will become effective in 2024.
More information can be found here.
The public stakeholder input session will be held at the Sampson County Expo Center’s Heritage Hall, 414 Warsaw Road in Clinton. Members of the public can drop-in throughout the event and visit several information stations focused on aspects of the existing permits to provide their comments and ask questions. Division of Water Resources staff will make a brief presentation hourly to give an overview of the program and current permits.
Through June 5, members of the public and interested parties are invited to submit comments on three existing state general permits for animal operations and three existing state general permits for animal farm digester systems. These comments will be considered during the process of drafting renewed permits.

Marine Debris Removal and Living Shoreline Maintenance
2023-05-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Morris Landing Clean Water Preserve, 899-837, State Rd 1538, Holly Ridge, NC, 28445, United States
Volunteers will work to remove marine debris from the estuarine shoreline, roadside, and oyster shell. Volunteers will also help to maintain the living shorelines by replacing and adjusting oyster shell bags on the reef.
No special skills or knowledge are required. You will receive the basic training needed. Volunteers should bring a reusable water bottle, hat, and sunglasses. Please dress for the weather in clothes that are comfortable and that you don’t mind getting dirty. Close-toed shoes are required. Gloves, boots, trash pickers, and trash bags will all be provided. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian with them.
Learn more and register here.

RiverFest 2023
2023-05-13 11:00 - 16:00 | Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park, 1400 Catawba St, Belmont, NC, 28012, United States
Celebrate summer and the Catawba River at RiverFest 2023. Catawba Riverkeeper’s annual family- and dog-friendly event is back at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park on Saturday, May 13!
Walk through the exhibitor zone, take your kids to the Education Pavilion, listen to live music, kayak on the river, and enjoy food and beverages from local food trucks and craft breweries. You can also shop for Catawba Riverkeeper apparel, find unique handmade items at the Artisan Tent!
Learn more here!
