• • • December  “Call to Action”: Do something about climate change now.

Do you believe you  need to do something about climate change? Do you believe you need to act quickly? Then you need to be involved in the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Together these are our  national plan with funding to address  climate change. If fully implemented, we can meet our climate change goals. Unfortunately SC is behind other states in using these major environmental pieces of legislation. Here are three ways to quit talking about what we can do and start doing:

 Action One: Get involved with The IRA Coordinating Group  ( Contact Priscilla Preston priscilla.preston@alumni.unc.edu)

 The IRA Coordinating Group is an informal collection of individuals that came together in May 2023 to educate themselves about all aspects of IRA implementation in North and South Carolina. The group shares information and ideas about helping underserved areas access IRA funding.  Our goal is to help individuals, groups, and municipalities apply for funding for climate-related projects.

 The group is creating a website that will bring all this information together in one place in a “toolkit” that will walk people through the process of accessing these funds:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1J5ufW7w5oDQG4Tu2CoCCy8I245KpgPPY15KgO0Ntg0Y/edit?usp=sharing

Action Two: Calling All Electric School Bus Advocates: 

 The EPA has just released a timeline and application information about how school districts across the country can access $5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for school bus fleets to go electric. Half of this funding could be used on propane or “natural” gas buses, so it is critical that advocates ensure schools are applying for all-electric buses.

If you are  interested in learning more about how to effectively target school districts, and/or about the EPA's application process for funds. Fill out this survey (link is external) and the national Sierra Club will  get you connected! Or contact Larisa at larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org.

Action Three: Stop burning fossil fuels in our homes

Ron Sobczak and Kathleen Kempe have prepared a short 10 minute power point on easy steps to take to stop using your gas stove .  They are available to present this  as part of any  meeting. Schedule with Kathleen at  kempeka@yahoo.com.