As part of the New American Road Trip campaign, Purpose traveled across the country to tell the stories of the local leaders, innovators, workers, and communities who are proving that America’s commitment to fighting climate change is real, despite a lack of federal leadership. They are the people who are working day in and day out to build and implement the solutions to climate change in their communities. This project shows a wide diversity of backgrounds and stories from across the country, focused on jobs and opportunity. The New American Road Trip tells these stories using a light hearted creative framework that steers away from polarizing narratives.
Along the way we highlighted the stories of:
- how clean energy and the buses, subways, cars, trucks, and trains it powers are creating good jobs all across America – not in the future but right now
- how emerging technologies created in America are pushing what people think is possible and helping solve climate change
- how women are making these technologies happen in towns, cities, organization, and businesses across America
The New American Road Trip Unsung Heroes videos show that despite lacking support from the federal government, climate action – in the form of renewable energy, clean transport and urban interventions – are already a reality in America. They improve the lives of millions of people by creating good and lasting jobs, reliable and affordable electricity, reducing costs and improving air quality. For these reasons, support for them cuts through the unproductive and ill informed political polarization around climate change, but regardless of anyone’s views, they create all those benefits while helping mitigate climate change.
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/2192473704328265/
To date, the Unsung Climate Heroes Videos have received over 439K video views, for a total of 156K minutes, and engagement from 12K people in the form of reactions, comments, and shares.
Below you can explore all of the Unsung Climate Heroes Videos, highlighting folks all across America, with diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, and climate projects:
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/vl.296844534237742/1085796048250257/?type=1
THE PEOPLE OF GREENSBURG, KANSAS: When the town of Greensburg was leveled by a tornado in 2007, the community made the choice to rebuild stronger. This small town’s roots in agriculture made sustainability easy to adopt — many eco-friendly choices were commonsense practices they’d been doing all along. The town that they rebuilt from the ground up will be a legacy of community effort and smart decisions for generations to come.
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/116518685929122/
CHAIRMAN GREG ANDERSON OF THE MOAPA BAND OF THE PAIUTE TRIBE: The first solar project on tribal land came after years of negative health effects caused by a nearby coal plant. After successfully campaigning to shut down the plant, Greg Anderson and the Moapa Band of Paiutes opened First Solar, which provides renewable energy and benefits the tribe.
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/689305971462533/
BRITTNEY HADLEY OF SWINERTON RENEWABLE ENERGY: The workers at Swinerton Renewable energy are building a resilient, sustainable energy future just by showing up to work. The fact that this close-knit solar field team comes from so many different backgrounds strengthens their community and their experience on the job. The solar fields they work on will be able to power the cities of the future in a way that uses, not abuses, the natural resources at our disposal.
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/vl.296844534237742/1123766961115597/?type=1
LAS VEGAS FIRE CHIEF RICHARD BIRT: Richard Birt’s experience in emergency response gives him a unique perspective on how renewable energy makes cities resilient. His work in emergency response in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria created renewable energy generators when traditional generators failed. His work bringing resilience after a disaster to communities in Puerto Rico and the mainland alike demonstrate how renewable energy can solve multiple problems at once while furnishing us for a healthier future.
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/2194320290826747/
BYD ELECTRIC BUS FACTORY: BYD’s Lancaster, CA facility is the largest manufacturer of electric buses in the world. With nearly 1,000 employees, the company is responsible for a 25% increase in annual revenue for the City of Lancaster and 35% local job growth — and those are union jobs, with a strong commitment to hiring equitably. By showing up every day to make electric buses for use in cities across the world, these workers are creating a positive local and international impact.
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/305115800286492/
MAYOR OF WEST SACRAMENTO: Mayor Cabaldon has made his small town a leader in the equitable fight against climate change. While advancing affordable homes near transit; age-friendly, car-free transportation; and cleaner waterways, Mayor Cabaldon is making West Sacramento a model for advancing sustainability for small towns across America.
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/vl.296844534237742/249881785678342/?type=1
KY SANDERS OF SERENITY SOULAR: Ky Sanders and the team and Serenity Soular are bringing green economy jobs to Philadelphia, and bringing hope to their community. Sustainable jobs with a growing future break the cycle of unemployment and under-employment that affects families and communities in the area.
https://www.facebook.com/newamericanroadtrip/videos/268840060492207/
ERIN BAKER OF HOOPESTON WIND PROJECT: Erin Baker works on a wind farm in Hoopeston, IL, in one of the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. By “harvesting the wind”–taking a free resource and using it to power our communities–Erin and her team at Apex Clean Energy are building America’s clean energy future. Each turbine can power up to 400 homes.
You can view and share all of the Unsung Climate Heroes videos here, on Facebook.
for Equity & Evidence