Storytelling

Every crisis is in part a storytelling crisis.
This is as true of climate chaos as anything else.
Rebecca Solnit, Writer, historian, activist, and editor of Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility

Thanks to decades of work by scientists, climate advocates, and community organizers, more people than ever recognize the climate crisis as a clear and present threat to communities and ecosystems worldwide.

However, the climate movement needs to build more critical mass. We need more people to embrace the clean energy transition as urgent, achievable, and even desirable. We need communities, organizations, and businesses to reduce their gas and oil use and rapidly adopt clean energy solutions. We need climate advocates to share more relatable stories highlighting excitement and human connection over jargon and technicalities. We need a vocal and influential bloc of well-informed policymakers and elected officials to prioritize climate action at every level. Most of all, we need hope.

To meet this moment and help our cause prevail, we're harnessing the power of narrative and storytelling to personalize and transform public perception about the climate crisis and its clean energy solutions.

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photo collage of electric trucks

Flipping business fleets to zero emission

We caught glimpses of the future of clean and green transportation during the 13th annual Green Transportation Summit & Expo, and the Breaking Barriers Collaborative is helping PNW businesses bring their green fleet plans to fruition!

photo of an electric garbage truck

Taking out the trash just got cleaner and quieter

City of Roses (COR) Disposal & Recycling is making history as the first trash hauler in Portland to operate zero-emission electric garbage trucks.

Photo of Stella and Mike with their heat pump

Stella saves big on an electric heat pump, but will others in WA enjoy the same benefits?

Between several state and local clean energy incentives and heat pump rebate programs, Stella saved over $6,000 by replacing her oil furnace with an electric heat pump. However, clean energy success stories like Stella’s would be endangered if Initiative 2066 passes in Washington.

Classroom photo

Cleaner air, happy students, can't lose!

Washington’s students and schools will receive considerable benefits from the Climate Commitment Act, but Initiative 2117 threatens these critical investments.

NC 70 underwater, North Carolina

Helene: the frontlines of the climate crisis are everywhere now

An unexpected climate catstrophe is providing a dramatic demonstration that no regions are outside the risk zone for climate-fueled disasters.

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Cutting the high cost of urban shade

Urban heat islands are caused by too many buildings and not enough green space. Accordingly, a natural solution is to add greenery back into cities.

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Keeping cool with electric heat pumps

Amidst another extreme and record-breaking heat wave, affordable and energy-efficient cooling is essential for everyone. Electric heat pumps can make that happen.

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Solar accessibility to soar for Oregon’s lower-income households

The state of Oregon was recently awarded $86 million for rooftop solar projects for lower-income residents. The extra cool news: combined with existing federal and state solar incentive programs, this may bring the upfront costs of rooftop solar to nearly zero for many eligible households.

Photo of electric pickup truck with AAA logos

Coming soon: Carbon-free roadside assistance?

As the largest provider of roadside assistance services in the Evergreen State, AAA Washington responds to calls for all kinds of jams — and soon they’ll be responding to help with more fossil-free vehicles.

Heat pumps for healthy homes

Joyspotting clean energy solutions

Join us in joyspotting clean energy! How many fossil-free solutions can you spot in your neighborhood?

Legacy Solution Stories project (2012-2018)

Story content published between 2012 and 2018 was developed as part of our initial Solutions Stories project. It sought to capture and communicate the success stories on the ground about building a clean energy economy in the Pacific Northwest. The project showcased stories aimed at reaching policymakers and other key audiences that influence those drivers and decision-makers on climate and clean energy policy.

This project was placed on hiatus in 2018, but helped inspire Climate Solutions' present-day storytelling and narrative efforts.

Connect with our storyteller

Have you upgraded your home to all energy-efficient electric appliances?

Is your company transitioning to zero-emission fleet vehicles?

Is your community hungry for some climate hope and optimism?

Our in-house storyteller wants to connect with you!

Email jonathan [dot] lee (at) climatesolutions [dot] org

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photo collage of electric trucks

Flipping business fleets to zero emission

We caught glimpses of the future of clean and green transportation during the 13th annual Green Transportation Summit & Expo, and the Breaking Barriers Collaborative is helping PNW businesses bring their green fleet plans to fruition!
Read More

Photo of farmworkers in a field, passing watermelons

Time to speak up for Oregon's farmworkers!

Farmworkers quite literally put food on our tables, which places them among the most essential workers in our society. Their work is physically strenuous and often downright hazardous, especially with worsening climate impacts and extreme weather events. However, Oregon's current minimum required housing protections are deficient.
Read More