Want to contribute to Montgomery’s climate action? The 15-member Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee (CEAQAC) is seeking technically knowledgeable and passionate applicants to fill five vacancies. The Committee advises the County Executive and County Council on policies and programs to reach goals for greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy issues, and air quality. The County encourages applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, abilities, ethnicities, and ages to apply by August 6th. Learn more about the Committee and the application process here. 

This summer, Montgomery Energy Connection (MEC) is partnering with MCPL to hold “Lemonade & LEDs” events throughout the months of July and August. At various library branches, MEC will be setting up “lemonade stands” where you can trade your old incandescent and CFL lightbulbs for up to three free LEDs. Upcoming dates and locations can be found here. 

On April 1, 2021 Montgomery County joined two other counties and eight cities in launching the first ever Capital Area Solar Co-op, an effort to promote residential solar installations. Through the non-profit Solar United Neighbors, co-op members receive support in the solar installation process, as well as a discounted group rate. Residents can join Maryland’s co-op until August 31st, 2021. Find out more here. 

St. Jude Regional Catholic School of Rockville has opened its doors as a resiliency hub under Maryland Energy Adminstration’s (MEA) Resiliency Hub Program after receiving a grant from MEA to fund energy upgrades. The hub will be a source of power for Montgomery County’s low-to-moderate income residents during power outages, providing health and safety support for the community. Plus, the hub is powered by a completely renewable energy system! More details here. 

There are several virtual camps and workshops about the climate that you or your student can attend this summer. We would like to highlight a Montgomery County Program created and led by local students: Camp Climatedu! This opportunity is a 10-week online mini-course on climate science and sustainability for middle school and high school students. Sessions will be held every Wednesday, 4:30-6 pm, from June 23rd through August 25th. Though it has already started, the camp website welcomes everyone to join. Learn more about Camp Climatedu, as well as other opportunities to learn about climate this summer here. 

Over 120 attendees, including secondary students, staff, and board members attended MCPS’s first-ever Sustainability Symposium on May 26, 2021. The virtual event included feedback from the Climate Youth Town Hall held in February 2021, meeting staff from the curriculum team and the new Division of Sustainability and Compliance, exploring actions that MCPS has taken to mitigate climate change, discussing new initiatives that the district plans to implement, and hearing from students on their ideas on how MCPS can do even more. Future symposium topics will include: student networking opportunities, living a more sustainable lifestyle, and providing input to climate change curriculum. MCPS will also be hosting a Youth Climate Summit in February 2022.

Transitioning to electric vehicles will play a big role in reducing GHG emissions in Montgomery County, as well as around the world! According to the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (ZEEVIC), Maryland already has 34,841 registered electrical vehicles (EVs), 1,031 EV stations, and 2,708 charging outlets. ZEEIV has put together a helpful map locating charging stations and corridors throughout Maryland. Access this EV resource here.