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Authored by: Rachel Myslivy, Assistant Director
When I was a kid, I loved exploring. I’d fashion my hands into a spyglass and look off into the horizon for new discoveries. I would shift my spyglass hands to focus in or zoom out to get a better perspective. Then when I’d take the spyglass down, the full view of things was a little overwhelming! I keep this feeling in mind when I find myself holding to a narrow vision that is often of my own creation. With complex problems like climate change, we need to balance both the wide-angle, big-picture realities of a changing climate with the small-scale, individual hopes and dreams of our neighbors.
For years, CEP’s mission was to “dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in America’s Heartland through the ambitious deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy, in policy and practice.” We did some amazing things inspired by that mission – from upholding the Renewable Portfolio Standards to changing the conversation about energy efficiency and building a strong base of Kansans committed to a clean energy future. Over the years, however, the mission started to feel like a spyglass we were holding up that focused too narrowly on just one piece of the picture. We started asking ourselves questions like, what does a healthy and resilient Kansas look like? Who needs clean energy the most, and what are the barriers to access? How does climate change impact our health and the safety of our communities? How can energy policy help our neighbors thrive?
We continue to evolve to meet the changing realities of an ever-changing world. Earlier this year, we adopted a new mission to guide our work; “The Climate + Energy Project builds resilience in Kansas through equitable clean energy solutions and climate action.” CEP connects people, organizations, and ideas; presents science-based facts; facilitates critical thinking and community engagement; and co-creates equitable and productive solutions.
We maintained our longstanding focus on Clean Energy while expanding programming on Climate Resilience, Civic Participation, and Policy. As we close out 2021, each team member will share a reflection on our work and how you can become more involved. With your help, the Climate + Energy Project works for change in Kansas.
To transition to an equitable clean energy future, we must listen, learn, experiment, and adapt. We educate communities on the ways climate change impacts all of us every day. We collaborate with Kansans who care about climate resilience and energy justice. We create pathways for civic participation that help our friends and family co-create equitable clean energy solutions. We work together to create a healthy and resilient future for all.
Your perspective shapes this work. Your voice influences policy. Your actions build resilience in Kansas. Your contributions ensure that this work continues. Thank YOU for your commitment to an equitable clean energy future for Kansas.
Please donate today!
