Energy Democracy and Community Empowerment

Who owns the energy that powers our communities? If energy is power, how might community-owned energy generation challenge entrenched structures of power?

Energy Democracy and Community Empowerment brings prominent public figures to discuss community-based renewable energy projects in New York City, from the Renewable Rikers plan to turn the island jail complex into a site for publicly-owned renewable energy production to the Co-ops Go Solar campaign to bring solar energy to low-income homeowners. These, and other initiatives rooted in economic and racial justice, will elucidate the challenges and potential of frontline communities becoming critical stakeholders in the city’s climate adaptation.

Event Participants:

Lawrence Haseley, Senior Program Manager, Solar One

Ashley Dawson, Professor, The Graduate Center & College of Staten Island, CUNY

Summer Sandoval, Policy Advisor, NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice

Daniel Chu, Energy Planner, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance

Andrea Johnson, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Barnard and Columbia Architecture

Introductions:

Sandra Goldmark, Director, Campus Sustainability and Climate Action, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Barnard College, and Senior Assistant Dean for Interdisciplinary Engagement, Columbia Climate School

Moderator: 

Ralph Ghoche, Assistant Professor, Barnard and Columbia Architecture

Event Sponsors: 

Barnard Environmental Science Department

Barnard and Columbia College Architecture Department

Barnard and Columbia College Urban Studies Program

Barnard College Office of the Provost

Barnard Office of Sustainability and Climate Action

Barnard Office of Community Engagement & Inclusion