Sustainability leaders in the fight against climate change are gathering together this coming Wednesday, October 7, 2020 for a virtual half-day event that will celebrate how sustainable energy and energy efficiency can uplift Black and brown communities. The event will bring together energy efficiency leaders, climate warriors, and building science specialists who are spearheading a just transition with one goal in mind–achieving racial and social justice through climate action.  

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Energy Efficiency Day 2020

#EEDay2020 will take place on the fourth annual Energy Efficiency Day, a collaborative event supported by hundreds of prominent organizations, companies, and government agencies with the goal of sharing tips, tools, and stories that promote the benefits of energy efficiency. The message of EEDay is simple: “Save Money. Cut Pollution. Create Jobs.” Energy efficiency is the cheapest, quickest way to meet our energy needs and it supports more than 2.4 million jobs nationwide. 

(Source: WOC/CS on Instagram)

RSVP to the the event: #EEDay2020, October 7, 10 AM ET – 2 PM ET 

The organizations behind #EEDay2020

The #EEDay2020 event is hosted in collaboration with two key organizations: Women of Color/Collective of Sustainability (WOC/CS) and Kinetic Communities Consulting. 

WOC/CS is a collective that supports women of color who are searching to connect, collaborate, identify mentorships, job opportunities, and seek resources with sustainability. WOC/CS strives to be a resource of opportunities across the sustainability ecosystem for women of color to build their careers, create professional success, and support their well-being. 

Kinetic Communities Consulting is passionate about making New York City a more sustainable city. They work with energy and affordable housing partners to connect, educate, and simplify energy efficiency opportunities for under-represented communities. Kinetic Communities Consulting works in the intersection of finance, engineering, planning, and organizing “a sweet spot” that helps them understand how to systemically drive change for a just clean energy transition. 

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Energy Efficiency Day guest speakers

#EEDay2020 will feature guest speakers from various industries who will discuss ways to challenge industry titans, ensure a society-wide reduction of energy consumption while simultaneously eliminating energy insecurities, and leading a path toward a carbon-free future. A few of the event speakers include: 

Photo by Ronan Furuta on Unsplash

Rhiana-Gunn Wright: Director of Climate Policy at the Roosevelt Institute. Rhiana is the architect of the Green New Deal. To Rhiana, climate policy has always been connected to social justice. Her interview with the New York Times highlights how the coronavirus has made climate issues even more stark. She discusses the challenges of leading as a Black woman in the predominantly white male world of environmental policy, which is a must-read. 

Jigar Shah: President and Co-Founder of Generate Capital, the leading investment and operating platform for sustainable infrastructure. Founded in 2014, Generate Capital is the only “one-stop-shop” for pioneers leading the Resource Revolution. Before Generate, as the Founder and CEO of SunEdison (NASDAQ: SUNE), Shah pioneered “no money down solar,” which unlocked a multi-billion-dollar solar market and became the largest solar services company worldwide before its acquisition by MEMC. He’s also the co-host of Greentech Media’s celebrated Energy Gang podcast.

Sydney Céspedes: Campaign Manager with Green for All,  where she works to advance the team’s Safe Homes, Energy Efficiency and Green Jobs campaigns that advocate for deep investments in low-income, clean, and energy efficiency programs, and an inclusive green economy. Sydney Céspedes is a proud daughter of Colombian immigrants. She grew up traveling back and forth to her parent’s home country and visiting family along the Caribbean coast and the Andes. These experiences shaped her understanding and the value of community and social resilience. Sydney has a background in urban planning, community engagement, and community-driven policy change grounded in racial, economic and environmental justice principles

Adriana Espinoza: First-ever Senor Advisor in Environmental Justice to the NYC Mayor’s Office on Climate Change. Adriana is leading the execution of New York City’s first comprehensive study and plan for incorporating environmental justice into City decision- making processes. Prior to the Mayor’s Office, she served as New York City Program Director at the New York League of Conservation Voters. Her focus was advocating the Mayor and City Council to build a more sustainable city and invest in aggressive climate action. She fought along others for many of the City’s biggest climate victories including the Climate Mobilization Act, Commercial Waste Zones, and a historic $44 million investment in parks in 2019.

Kristal Hansley: Founder and Chief Executive Officer of We Solar. As CEO, Kristal brings affordable and accessible community solar energy to under-resourced communities and assists commercial properties with energy efficiency. Kristal is “the first black woman to launch a community solar company, and did so on Juneteenth.”

Don’t forget to save your spot for this inspiring event!