Whether your trusted source is Google, Jessica Biel, the U.S. Department of Energy, ski towns, TIME, or Florida -- there’s no denying it, 2016 was a great year for clean and renewable energy!
Check out our quick list of 21 times that clean energy was through the roof in 2016!
1. Sierra Club launches the Ready for 100 campaign
January - we launch Ready for 100 at the United States Conference of Mayors (#USCMWinter16) with a surprise light projection action (with The Illuminator)!
Learn more: www.addup.org/campaigns/readyfor100-percent-clean-energy
2. People everywhere show their support for 100% clean energy
Hundreds of people from around the country are showing their support for 100% clean energy by submitting photo petitions to Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #ReadyFor100.
Join the movement and learn how you too can submit your photo here: www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100/photo-action
3. Google goes all-in on renewable energy
The Sierra Club teams up with Google’s Project Sunroof -- a new mapping tool to help you see the solar potential of your home -- to raise awareness for moving to 100% clean energy AND Google announces 100% renewable energy for global operations in 2017. Learn more about Project Sunroof: www.sc.org/28K1idY.
Learn more about Google’s commitment to 100% clean energy: www.facebook.com/SierraClub/posts/10154296327697572
4. Famous people are #ReadyFor100
@Green4EMA and @SierraClub give @JessicaBiel the “Green Leaders Award” for AuFudge’s commitment to #cleanenergy, @LanceBass aka #GreenBass gives #ReadyFor100 a shoutout on #EarthDay2016, and famous people in LA are #ReadyFor100! Who can you spot?
5. Del Mar commits to 100% clean, renewable energy
In June, the city of Del Mar joined the city of San Diego with a 100% clean energy goal, and a road-map to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half while also reducing outdoor water consumption to 30-gallons per capita by 2035. Also specified in its plan is an option to fulfill its goals by offering community-owned solar to purchase clean energy at a lower cost.
Check it out: www.instagram.com/p/BGjc_HGhLdM
6. #ReadyFor100 goes on tour
The Sierra Club kicks off a nine-city “aerial art” national tour on June 23, as thousands of people gather at the AREDAY Summit and hundreds form a huge “human sun,” spelling out a bold message with their bodies to show support for 100% clean energy.
Learn more and take action: www.addup.org/campaigns/colorado-is-readyfor100-percent-clean-energy
7. City leaders from across the country chart a course for 100% renewable energy
Watch a clip of Erik Caldwell (Economic Director for the City of San Diego, CA) at the "North American Dialogue for 100% Renewable Energy in Cities" talk about the reasons why San Diego committed to 100% clean and renewable energy.
Learn More: www.sierraclub.org/compass/2016/09/first-ever-north-american-dialogue-meeting-has-great-outcomes-read-report
8. Salt Lake City, UT commits to 100% clean, renewable energy
Salt Lake City, Utah commits to achieving 100% renewable energy for community electricity supply by 2032 and 50% renewable electricity for municipal operations by 2020.
Learn more: www.facebook.com/SierraClub/photos/a.72328147571.77213.6204742571/10153898617557572/?type=1&theater
9. A big day in the Mile High city
(Photo by Giselle Turner / Spectral Q)
Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter, Google’s Project Sunroof, Environment Colorado, Climate Reality and hundreds more gather to celebrate bold climate action in Denver and cities across Colorado! At the event, Mayor Suzanne Jones commits the city of Boulder, CO, to be powered by 100% clean energy like wind and solar by 2030!!
Learn more and take action: www.addup.org/campaigns/colorado-is-readyfor100-percent-clean-energy
10. Ten cities -- TIME exclusive!
TIME publishes exclusive story: “Why These Cities Are Leading on Clean Energy” with our 10 Case Studies Report!
Read it here: ti.me/2aHfG4R
11. Another banner day in Cleveland, Ohio
In September, over 100 residents came together to launch the Sierra Club's #ReadyFor100 Campaign in Cleveland, Ohio. Forming "100%" with their bodies, photographer Ricky Rhodes captures the moment and the movement for 100% clean energy in cities, like Cleveland, nationwide.
Learn more and take action: www.addup.org/campaigns/cleveland-is-readyfor100-percent-clean-energy
12. #ReadyFor100's National Tour goes to Boise
This October, the Sierra Club's #ReadyFor100 Campaign National Tour ended strong with over 200 folks showing up for the Boise Climate Action Rally!
Watch the 30-second time-lapse video, or learn more about the action here: sc.org/BoiseRally
Learn more and take action: www.addup.org/campaigns/boise-is-readyfor100-percent-clean-carbon-free-electricity
13. Clean energy on the rise across the U.S.
According to a new report by the Department of Energy, the cost of wind power is down 41% from 2008, solar costs are down between 54% and 64% from 2008, and battery storage technology costs have fallen 73% since 2008. Check out the report to see more stats showing how clean energy is on the rise in states, cities, and communities across the country.
Learn more: sc.org/CEreport
14. Ski towns across america commit to clean energy
Park City, Utah recently joined a growing list of ski communities across the country -- from Salt Lake City to Aspen and Burlington -- that are taking charge to confront the threat of climate change by transitioning to 100% clean and renewable energy. (props to our friends at Climate Reality).
Learn more: sc.org/SkiTowns
15. Los Angeles leads the way to clean energy
Los Angeles City Council unanimously approves resolution directing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to chart paths off of fossil fuels to power Los Angeles with 100% #cleanenergy! The next step will be to develop a realistic but ambitious timeline for the city to end its dependence on #fossilfuels. #FutureIsBright.
Learn more: sc.org/nyteditorial
16. 100% clean energy across the globe
Cities, companies, and now 47 NATIONS are committing to #Go100RE. Donald Trump can’t stop us. http://sc.org/2grx0Tv #COP22 #1o5c
Learn more: twitter.com/sierraclub/status/799711297747165185
17. #ReadyFor100 stars on national TV
Ready For 100’s Jodie Van Horn on The Weather Channel with Sam Champion.
Learn more and watch the video: www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100/news
18. National Tour aerial art and 100% clean energy milestones in Hanover and the Upper Valley, NH and VT
(Photo Credit: Rob Strong)
Ready For 100’s National Tour goes to Hanover, NH, and the Sustainable Hanover Town Committee officially endorses 100% renewable energy!
Learn more and take action: www.addup.org/campaigns/upper-valley-is-readyfor100-percent-renewable-energy
19. Oakland and Richmond, CA are #ReadyFor100
Oakland and Richmond, CA, launch #ReadyFor100 Campaigns. In a major step forward to achieving 100% renewable energy this December Oakland, CA, joined 10 other cities and Alameda County to form East Bay Community Energy (EBCE). Thanks to the advocacy of the Local Clean Energy Alliance, which includes the Sierra Club Bay Chapter, EBCE will maximize community benefits such as the development of local energy resources, clean energy jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. In their Climate Action Plan approved this fall, Richmond, CA to supporting their energy provider, MCE Clean Energy, in sourcing 100% of their energy from renewable sources by 2025.
Learn more and take action in Oakland and Richmond: www.addup.org/campaigns/oaklandisreadyfor100 and www.addup.org/campaigns/richmondisreadyfor100
20. St. Petersburg becomes first Florida city, 20th city nationwide, to commit to 100% clean energy!
(Photo credit: Kathleen Finnerty/ Spectral Q)
Hundreds of community members came together on Treasure Island in St. Petersburg, Florida for #HandsAcrossTheSand to show the world that the Sunshine State is #ReadyFor100 percent clean and renewable energy. And just months later Sunshine City became the 20th city in the United States to make a 100% clean energy commitment!
Learn more and take action: www.addup.org/campaigns/hundred-percent-st-pete
21. And ONE for good luck! Will your town or city be next on the list in 2017?
Sign the petition to tell your mayor and local leaders that you're ready for 100% clean energy for all. Take action now: sc.org/ready