Acadia Center takes a holistic approach to addressing the effects of climate change, an approach where many voices are heard, and different perspectives and new thinking are welcomed. It is the best, most effective way to solve the environmental challenges before us.

Coalitions and partnerships are the backbone Acadia Center’s work, and are critical levers for change, helping us to build momentum for clean energy solutions.  As the saying goes, changing everything requires everyone: climate change is the greatest challenge facing us, and with fossil fuel use embedded in every aspect of our economy everyone in creating  and advocating for the changes that we need. These changes must be creative, practical, and location-specific, leading to a region that is more energy efficient, has lower greenhouse gases, and offers healthier, safer communities for all.

At their best, coalitions provide a united voice for a common cause, amplifying messages that decisionmakers can hear clearly. Working with committed organizations working on clean energy, climate, consumer protection, public health and economic development allows us to broaden our reach, tapping into different stakeholder groups and relationships. Each organization brings unique strengths that we can leverage to push for the urgent changes we need. Partnerships invite a variety of expertise, providing diverse insight and specialized knowledge of complex issues. Diverse opinions, especially from those most directly affected by climate change, show potential real-life impacts on neighborhoods and communities; this input opens doors to new possibilities and can make solutions stronger.

The partnerships and coalitions Acadia Center has helped catalyze, coordinate, or participate in have allowed all of us to achieve greater gains, whether at the state level, like improving solar policy in Connecticut or advancing leading edge energy efficiency funds, at the city level, such as working with the City of Providence and the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee, to coordinating regional coalitions engaged in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Transportation Climate Initiative.