April 2022 - View online

A Message from our Climate Policy Director

Happy Earth Month! A lot has happened since our last newsletter in January. It’s hard to pack it all into one newsletter, but I’m excited to share these exciting highlights with you. This will also be the last Climate Policy-focused newsletter heading to everyone’s inbox, so if you’d like to stay informed about this work in particular, please sign up for the Climate Policy newsletter here and follow me on Twitter @savsullivan.

First up, Green Umbrella hosted US EPA Deputy Administrator, Janet McCabe, and over 14 regional stakeholders on March 30th for a discussion about local climate action and forthcoming federal funding opportunities. This was a great moment to shine a light on the important collaborative climate work happening across our region to national leaders, and to learn about potential local impacts of the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Thanks to all partners who attended!

We also kicked off our Regional Climate Action Lunch & Learn Series with an event on equitable regional action in partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Communities. This was followed by a discussion on building local government climate capacity with the Environmental Resilience Institute, where we announced plans to expand the Indiana Resilience Cohort into Ohio and Kentucky. Be sure to sign up for our next webinar in the series, Equitable Community Engagement for Climate Action with Groundwork Ohio River Valley, on 4/20 at 12:00 pm to learn more about impactful community engagement principles and steps local governments can take to support more equitable, resilient communities (more info below). This webinar series will continue through July so keep an eye out for information on upcoming dates and topics. 

We'll be busy in the coming months as we prepare for the Regional Climate Collaborative launch, continue to engage county and state candidates, and kick off the next Climate Advisory Group as part of the Climate Safe Neighborhoods partnership. For now, check out the below for additional Climate Policy highlights and events, as well as a few exciting guest blogs featuring the Colerain Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Local Government, and the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund.

As always, thank you for your interest in and support of this work. Until next time! 

Savannah Sullivan, Climate Policy Director
savannah@greenumbrella.org

SPOTLIGHTS

Welcome our Climate Equity Intern, Tyeisha Cole!

Tyeisha joined the Climate Policy team at Green Umbrella in April to research and compare equity-focused frameworks from 20 peer regions’ climate, resilience, and sustainability plans. This critical work will provide Green Umbrella and partners with a database of equitable climate solutions and a report of key themes. She holds a MSc in Environmental Policy with a concentration on Fish & Wildlife Management and a BA in Urban & Regional Planning and Environmental Principles & Practices. Tyeisha will begin her PhD in Sustainability Education in 2022. Her studies have allowed her to conduct applied and qualitative environmental policy research in East Africa and several U.S cities. When she isn’t working, she enjoys learning about K9 conservation, African languages, and being a wannabe food critic at local restaurants.

Take Action on the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan

Green Umbrella joined the City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability and partners at the Green Cincinnati Plan renewal press conference. Green Umbrella can’t wait to support the development of the plan, and work with partners and residents to ensure equity is at the center of Cincinnati’s climate action. Community engagement meetings will be announced soon. In the meantime you can help inform the next Green Cincinnati Plan by filling this Climate Change Survey and submitting your ideas for Climate Action Recommendations. Contact Oliver Kroner, oliver.kroner@cincinnati-oh.gov for more information.

Upcoming Climate Advisory Group in the Beekman Corridor

Green Umbrella and Groundwork Ohio River Valley successfully secured a J40 Capacity Building grant to partner with Working In Neighborhoods for our next Climate Advisory Group in the Beekman Corridor. Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Climate Advisory Group? If you are and live in North & South Fairmount, English Woods, Millvale, South Cumminsville, submit this form here. For more information about this paid opportunity, reach out to Kelsey Hawkins-Johnson, khawkins-johnson@groundworkorv.org or call 513-301-0310. Otherwise stay tuned for next steps and check out a recording of our past Roselawn/Bond Hill Climate Advisory Group meeting in the meantime.

FEATURED COMMUNITY

This quarter we’re excited to highlight the Village of Silverton. In 2019, Silverton worked with the OKI Regional Council Governments to develop a Village Energy Plan. Last year, WVXU featured Silverton’s recent vote to spend 10% of its 2022 capital plan on carbon reduction efforts and previous town hall upgrades, including geothermal heating and cooling, and LED lighting and solar panels (learn more in this case study). Village Manager, Tom Carroll, and Elisheba Hawkins, Silverton’s Seasongood Research Fellow, published an article through the International City/County Management Association about climate change implications and action for local government managers. Silverton is currently implementing its Solar Now program, and we would be remiss to not celebrate that Carroll was nominated for and appointed to the US EPA’s Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee in 2021. Congratulations Silverton!

GUEST BLOGS

Team Up to Green Up Colerain - What’s Up With That?
Dave Moravec, Colerain Chamber of Commerce

Colerain Township and Colerain Chamber of Commerce teamed up last year with other government, nonprofit, and private partners to create a cross-sector collaborative sustainability group. In one short year, Team Up to Green Up Colerain launched an adopt-a-block clean up program, committed more than $50,000 to street trees, and engaged dozens of residents to take action.

Center for Local Government works with Communities to Solarize Facilities
T.J. White, Center for Local Government

Local governments from around Southwest Ohio are studying a joint bid to install roof-mounted or ground-mounted solar panels at their facilities (e.g. City Buildings, Fire Stations, etc.). This potential bid is in the study phase currently, but could be published this summer.

State of the Environment: April 2022 Update
Kylie Johnson, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund

In 2022, the OEC Action Fund continues to speak out for clean air, safe water, vibrant public lands, bold climate action, and a strong democracy. The fight to protect our environment has never been easy—but Ohio’s future is worth it. The OEC Action Fund provides a brief update on the latest federal, state, and local policy news.

EVENTS

Equitable Community Engagement for Climate Action Webinar

April 20, 2022

Green Umbrella's Climate Policy Director, Savannah Sullivan, is co-hosting the next installment of of the Regional Climate Action Lunch & Learn Webinar Series featuring Sophie Revis of Groundwork Ohio River Valley, on 4/20 from 12:00-12:30 pm. Listen in to learn about impactful community engagement principles, the organizations' ongoing Climate Safe Neighborhoods initiative, and steps local governments can take to support communities in their fight towards climate resiliency. 

Solar Town Hall & Happy Hour

April 22, 2022

The Cincinnati 2030 District is co-hosting a Solar Town Hall & Happy Hour on Earth Day. All those interested in solar are invited to participate in this exciting opportunity to learn about the latest in solar technologies and hear from experts across the solar industry. Featured speakers include Rick Fisher of IBEW Local 212, the Marquee Sponsor of the Cincinnati 2030 District, Michael Forrester of the City of Cincinnati's Office of Environment & Sustainability, Matt Kolbinsky of Pro Lighting & Solar, and Elizabeth Rojas, Director of the Cincy 2030 District. Guests will also hear from a number of solar-powered building owners and providers including representatives from HighGrain Brewery, Paff Electric & Solar, and more. This event is eligible for 1 LU/HSW credit through co-presenter AIA Cincinnati.

2022 Candidate Education Night: County and State Level Sustainable Action

April 27, 2022

Calling all County Commissioner/Legislature candidates in SW OH, NKY, and SE IN! Calling all State Legislature candidates in SW OH! Green Umbrella, in partnership with the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, presents an educational event about how county and state elected officials can address resilience in their communities. This session will also provide background on relevant provisions available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is slated to provide $973 billion over the next five years. The event is open to all confirmed candidates and staff running for County Office (OH: Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Warren; KY: Boone, Campbell, Grant, Kenton; IN: Dearborn, Franklin), or for State Legislature in SW Ohio. Encourage candidates to register today! 

Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit & Cincinnati 2030 District Summit 

June 15-16, 2022

The annual Sustainability Summit brings together hundreds of passionate leaders to share information and collaborate on sustainability solutions. Register today for access to over 15 sets of discussions featuring over 40 local sustainability leaders across food, health, transportation, business, and other critical climate-related fields. Green Umbrella's Climate Policy Director, Savannah Sullivan, will be moderating the Plenary Panel featuring Keynote Speaker, Kristin Baja of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, and Cincinnati and Dayton Mayors Aftab Pureval and Jeffrey Mims. This year's summit also features a pre-conference Cincinnati 2030 District Half-Day Summit on June 15th. 

Green Umbrella leads collaboration, incubates ideas and catalyzes solutions that create a resilient, sustainable region for all.