Resources
Union of Concerned Scientists “was founded in 1969 by scientists and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That year, the Vietnam War was at its height and Cleveland’s heavily polluted Cuyahoga River had caught fire. Appalled at how the U.S. government was misusing science, the UCS founders drafted a statement calling for scientific research to be directed away from military technologies and toward solving pressing environmental and social problems.” They offer a variety of resources as well as their Take Action link.
Southern Environmental Law Center works in 6 southern states and has an office in Asheville. With a team of qualified and dedicated attorneys, this satellite of our state headquarters office in Chapel Hill serves the land and people of western North Carolina, with a special focus on protecting the rivers, streams, and forests of the Southern Appalachians.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby offers virtual and in-person presentations to any group, school, or club or organization wanting to learn more about how to become a more effective climate advocate as a citizen lobbyist pushing for a federal bipartisan climate solution. They also provide monthly virtual or in-person meetings, regional and national conferences, and many online resources.
Key Allies
MountainTrue is the oldest grassroots environmental non-profit in Western North Carolina, with offices in Asheville, Saluda, Murphy and Boone. Their mission is to champion resilient forests, clean waters and healthy communities in our region. MountainTrue engages in policy advocacy at all levels of government, local project advocacy, and on-the-ground environmental restoration projects. Primary program areas include public lands, water quality, clean energy, land use/transportation, and citizen engagement. MountainTrue houses the Creation Care Alliance of WNC, a network of congregations and people of faith working to preserve the environment, and the Appalachian Design Center, a socially equitable community planning program for Asheville and surrounding counties. They are also home to Riverkeepers for the French Broad, Watauga, Green and Broad Rivers, who are the primary defenders and spokespeople for these waterways.
Get involved: Connect with Susan Bean at susan@mountaintrue.org or (828) 258-8737, ext. 216.
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Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is an international, nonpartisan grassroots organization that is 1) laser-focused on getting bipartisan federal climate change legislation passed and 2) empowering citizens to become effective climate advocates. Their website citizensclimatelobby.org has a wealth of information on their four main climate solutions, about CCL, and Action Items they are working on. Any citizen who wants a livable planet can help. So can businesses, community leaders, or organizations that want to support efforts to stop climate change. They meet monthly on zoom or in person to strategize their efforts for the WNC region.
Get involved: To connect locally, email wnc@citizensclimatelobby.org.
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The Sierra Club – WNC Group covers Buncombe and counties west. As the nation’s oldest, largest, grassroots environmental organization, they work to protect our environment at the local, state, and national level.
Get involved: Contact local leader Ken Brame at kenbrame10@gmail.com or (828) 423-8045.
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The North Carolina Council of Churches works to improve our environment through the Eco-Justice Connection initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches.
Get Involved: To learn more or help, contact Director Susannah Tuttle at susannah@ncchurches.org.
WNC Social Justice Advocacy Guide 