April Climate Leader: Claudine Ebeid McElwain

We’re so excited to welcome Claudine as this month’s climate leader! Claudine Ebeid McElwain is a Senior Communications Manager for the Southern Environmental Law Center. She focuses on environmental issues related to Virginia, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and is the host and creator of SELC's podcast Broken Ground. Before moving to Charlottesville she worked for NPR as a producer and editor more than ten years. Claudine lives with her husband, two daughters (age 10 and 5) and her dog.

1. How did you get involved in environmental stewardship and climate action?

I really took the leap nearly four years ago when I left the news business to devote myself to working full time on these issues with the Southern Environmental Law Center.  It felt like the right time to use my energy to focus on keeping the national conversation focused on climate issues.

2. What are you hopeful about right now?

It gives me great hope to see how passionate and involved the young people in our country are right now about pushing our lawmakers to pay attention to our current climate crisis. When I think of them as our future leaders, voters and environmental stewards it inspires me.

3. What is one thing that is holding the state or local business community back from greater progress on implementing climate solutions?

Politics and partisanship. Historically environmental issues were viewed as important to all people but we've fallen into a dark place where every issue, including the environment, has fallen into a political camp. When lawmakers and business leaders rise above this partisanship and see that good energy decisions are not just good for the environment but also for everyone's bottom line, we could start seeing innovative and collaborative solutions.

4. What is a climate action personally or professionally that you are proud of?

Last year I launched the Broken Ground podcast for SELC. Our last episode was about solar panels on schools. Shortly after it published I got an email that after hearing the episode a principal at a school in Maryland was considering solar panels. I don't know how it ended up but just the fact that we could share stories that would motivate people to think about taking smart climate actions felt like a personal victory.

Also, we installed solar panels on our home recently :)

5. What is one thing a business or homeowner can do today to help reduce climate pollution?

Use your car less. For businesses that could mean allowing more people to work remotely. During this Covid-19 health crisis I think we are learning first hand just how dramatic an impact fewer cars on the road has on air quality. We are also learning that there are many businesses that could continue to be highly functioning without the need for mass commuting on a daily basis.

6. This is challenging work.  What is your favorite way to recharge and rejuvenate?

Being in, or near water. These days I've been taking walks with my daughters along our neighborhood creek. We sit on the banks dipping our feet in the crisp, cool water. I look forward to the days we can go to a lake or beach for a swim. Water makes everything better.

Thanks again, Claudine!