Thank You for an Amazing Year! 2022 In Review
As 2022 comes to an end, we at the Community Climate Collaborative (C3) are reflecting on our shared progress and looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that come with a new year.
Partying for the Planet
2022 was a remarkable year for several reasons. Most notably, C3 celebrated five years of accelerating climate action in Charlottesville and Albemarle. We commemorated this milestone with our Party for the Planet – a community-wide event that brought together people from all backgrounds and recognized leaders who are doing the most for climate.
“C3 has set such a high bar for climate work, providing fact-based plans and reports for the public and local governments and working with a diversity of partners to lower emissions and raise awareness of the climate emergency.”
Donna Shaunesey, Charlottesville resident and winner of our Impact Maker Award
We had over 700 party-goers, 15 community organizations, 11 award winners, 16 sponsors, along with food and beverage trucks who showed up for our climate and community. Freddy Jackson of Love No Ego as our emcee and live music from Wild Common made October 7, 2022, an evening for the books! Party for the Planet was the biggest climate party in Charlottesville, and we look forward to building on its momentum in the coming year.
Expanding our reach
At C3, we know climate change does not affect communities equally, and solutions are not “one-size-fits-all.” To be successful, all voices must be represented in the solutions we advance. This summer, we launched a Youth JEDI Ambassador Program with Piedmont Housing Alliance to bring teens from underserved communities into climate conversations. Our goal was to equip the teens with the knowledge and confidence to activate their community into being a force for change – and that is just what they have done. Through this initiative, the Ambassadors have spurred action amongst their classmates, their Friendship Court neighborhood, and other Charlottesville community members around critical climate equity topics such as public transportation and food justice.
“I joined the Ambassadors program because I wanted to be able to first help people and then be able to raise issues that break the harmony of living. I like to help people in any way I can so that they can have an opportunity to shine and make a difference in the world.”
Ezhar Zahid, Youth JEDI Ambassador
We also concluded a year-long initiative, supported by Charlottesville’s Climate Protection Program, in which C3 staff connected with over 230 individuals in the City’s most climate-impacted neighborhoods. In tabling events at various locations around the City, we educated community members about energy efficiency programs that would lower their energy bills and reduce emissions in their homes. But lasting policy solutions are urgently needed to complement our efforts and address systemic issues like community mobility, energy burden, and housing affordability.
Enacting Lasting Change
At a time when divisive politics, competing priorities, and red tape hinder progress at the state and federal levels, local government remains critical in achieving our goals. These last five years, C3 staff has worked diligently to build momentum at the local level. This year alone, 700 community members and over 75 businesses and nonprofits signed our advocacy letters which were delivered to Charlottesville City Council members, calling for a stronger commitment to climate and equity in local policy. We will continue to seize every opportunity to dismantle inequities that contribute to increased climate and health risks for Charlottesville and Albemarle residents.
“Please heed these strong and clear rec
ommen-
dations from C3…Incorporating these recom-mendations will help get us there and actually follow through on being a leading community during the climate transition.”
Brad Slocum, Charlottesville resident and signer of C3’s CAP letter
Earlier this week, Charlottesville’s Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. As City Council casts its final vote in January to adopt the CAP and the County continues Phase 2 of its CAP, C3 will keep holding our decision-makers accountable to all constituents – including our climate.
Sustaining Our Work
YOU are what keeps our work moving forward. Whether through a financial contribution, signing our advocacy letters, volunteering at an event, or spreading awareness about C3 - you are making a difference. THANK YOU!
If you want to help us make an even bigger impact in 2023 and beyond, consider making an end-of-year gift. When you donate $35 or more by December 31, 2022, you will be entered to win $1,250 toward a home solar installation from our friends at Tiger Solar. Your gift today will lead us to a cleaner, more equitable tomorrow.