North Carolina ( (listen)) is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and South Carolina to the south, and Tennessee to the west. Raleigh is the state's capital and Charlotte is its largest city. The Charlotte metropolitan area, with a population of 2,595,027 in 2020, is the most-populous metropolitan area in North Carolina, the 21st-most populous in the United States, and the largest banking center in the nation after New York City. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area is the second-largest metropolitan area in the state and 32nd-most populous in the United States, with a population of 2,043,867 in 2020, and is home to the largest research park in the United States, Research Triangle Park.
Climate activism[edit | edit source]
Public opinions on climate change[edit | edit source]
Following Hurricane Florence, Elon University conducted a poll exploring public opinions on climate change. It found that 80 percent of North Carolinians though that North Carolina's coastal communities would be negatively affected by climate change in the next decade. Sixty-two percent supported consideration of climate change predictions in local planning and ordinances, 72 percent supported restriction of real-estate development in flood-prone areas, and over half agreed that hurricanes were increasing in severity.
Local action[edit | edit source]
The city of Charlotte passed a plan to "emit nearly zero carbon from its buildings and vehicle fleet by 2030 and lower the per-capita carbon emissions from Charlotteans by a factor of six." Two days after the plan was passed by the city council, Michael Bloomberg announced that Charlotte was the winner of the American Cities Climate Challenge.
In fall of 2016, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill unrolled the "Three Zeroes Initiative," which is the university's commitment to reduce to zero the net usage of water, the amount of waste in landfills, and the net amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2016, the city of Asheville, in cooperation with the University of North Carolina at Asheville's National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center, began work on a climate resiliency assessment, designed to "lessen the impacts of future extreme weather and climate change." Asheville has earned the moniker the "Climate City" for its housing the headquarters of the National Centers for Environmental Information (the largest repository of environmental data in the world), the U.S. Air Force's 14th Weather Squadron ("which provides climate services to the defense and intelligence communities"), and also The Collider, a nonprofit that "is the first entrepreneurship and innovation center in the nation built to support startups – across almost every sector – that use data to help the world become more resilient to climate change."
State action[edit | edit source]
In 2012, in response to a study by the United States Geological Survey which predicts accelerating sea level rise, the legislature of North Carolina "passed a law requiring that projected rates of sea level rise be calculated on historical trends and not include accelerated rates of increase."
A July 2019 law revised local land-use and planning requirements. Comprehensive plans that incorporate flood risk will now be required at the local level.
In 2020, the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency Planning is preparing a "resilience quick start guide" for local communities, to "build resilience into routine decisions such as infrastructure upgrades or zoning rulings."
Climate change in North Carolina[edit | edit source]
Climate change in North Carolina is of concern due to its impacts on the environment, climate, people, and economy of North Carolina. "Most of the state has warmed one-half to one degree (F) in the last century, and the sea is rising about one inch every decade." North Carolina, along with the rest of the Southeastern United States, has warmed less than the rest of the country.
Open spaces[edit | edit source]
Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC) is a nonprofit conservation land trust and charitable organization operating in nine northern Piedmont North Carolina counties – Alamance, Caswell, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin. PLC’s land protection priorities are watersheds, farmland, urban green spaces and natural heritage sites as defined by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
PLC is a member of the Land Trust Alliance It received national accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance in 2010. PLC is also a member of the North Carolina Land Trust Federation, an association of 20 nonprofit North Carolina Land Trusts.
Kathy Treanor and other citizens of Greensboro, North Carolina founded Piedmont Land Conservancy in 1990. Mrs. Treanor led PLC until 2002 when Palmer McIntyre became executive director. Charlie Brummitt followed Mrs. McIntyre as executive director in 2003. Kevin Redding became executive director in 2007.
The Conservancy’s first project protected 12 acres (0.049 km2)of wetlands at Pinecroft Lake Park in southwest Greensboro. Its first major farmland project protected 107 acres (0.43 km2) of Lindale Farm – land that is now surrounded by the city of High Point. PLC’s smallest projects protected a series of half-acre lots for addition to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Its largest project protected 2,100 acres (8.5 km2) of Mitchell River Watershed in Surry and Alleghany counties.
Like many land conservancies, PLC receives its funding from multiple sources. One notable source was mitigation for the 2014 Dan River coal ash spill.
In its first 25 years, PLC protected more than 22,000 acres.
Coastal community activism[edit | edit source]
North Carolina Coastal Federation[edit | edit source]
The North Carolina Coastal Federation is a nonprofit organization that works with coastal residents and visitors to protect and restore the beautiful and productive N.C. coast. The four main areas in which the federation operates include: coastal advocacy; environmental education; habitat and water quality restoration and preservation; and support in the improvement and enforcement of environmental laws. The federation headquarters are located in Newport (Ocean), North Carolina, with regional offices in Wanchese and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The federation is currently a member of Restore America's Estuaries (RAE).
- North Carolina Coastal Federation, working together for a healthy coast, added 10:02, 4 January 2022 (UTC)
Bald Head Island Conservancy[edit | edit source]
The Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC) is a non-profit organization founded November 7, 1983. BHIC's mission is barrier island conservation, preservation and education. It is located in the Smith Island Complex in Brunswick County, North Carolina, which includes Bald Head Island, Middle and Bluff Islands, all of which are bounded by the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. BHIC sponsors and facilitates scientific research that benefits coastal communities and provides numerous recreational and educational activities for students, educators, visitors, and residents. In coordination with various organizations, partnerships and collaborations, the Conservancy has led the nation in conservation and research efforts and is uniquely poised to become a leader in Barrier Island Conservation world-wide.
- Bald Head Island Conservancy, added 09:52, 4 January 2022 (UTC)
Community energy[edit | edit source]
Solar[edit | edit source]
Solar power in North Carolina has been increasing rapidly, from less than 1 MW (megawatts) in 2007 to 6,152 MW in 2019, and has the second-largest installed PV capacity of all U.S. states. SunEdison built a 17.2-megawatt solar farm in Davidson County.
Because of declining solar panel costs, a 30 percent federal grant known as a 1603 grant was available through December 31, 2011, and a 30 percent tax credit is available through 2019 (declining to 10% by 2022). The federal tax credit is in addition to any local incentives and pays for the cost of installation, which can be rolled over if fewer taxes are owed that year. The difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit is substantial, as a deduction depends on your tax rate to determine your savings, but a tax credit is directly available to repay the cost of installation. A 2012 estimate indicated that a typical 5 kW solar array would pay for itself in 6 years, and thereafter generate a substantial profit. In addition to federal incentives, the state has a Renewable Portfolio Standard of 12.5% by 2021 and a state renewable energy tax credit, both of which have been credited with boosting solar installations.
A 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article described North Carolina as likely being the national leader in the "solar shepherd phenomenon" – combining sheep farming with solar power plants to reduce the high costs of grass trimming.
According to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, as of June 2019, North Carolina generates 5.81% of its electricity through solar power, and ranks second (up from 3rd in 2018) in total installed photovoltaics.
Wind[edit | edit source]
Wind power in North Carolina is found along the coastal areas in the east and mountain regions in the western part of the state. The state has significant offshore wind resources. In 2015, small scale wind turbine projects were found throughout the state. In 2016, North Carolina's first large scale wind project, and the first in the southeastern U.S., was completed near Elizabeth City.
In 2019, North Carolina had an installed wind capacity of 208 MW.
Education for sustainability[edit | edit source]
Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute
Food activism[edit | edit source]
Burton Street Community Peace Gardens on facebook
Weaver Street Market cooperative
Sustainable transport activism[edit | edit source]
Wikipedia: Hiking trails in North Carolina (category)
Resources[edit | edit source]
Networks and sustainability initiatives[edit | edit source]
Appalachian Voices is an American environmental organization. Their stated environmental concerns include eliminating air pollution, ending mountaintop removal, cleaning up coal ash pollution and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The organization has offices in Boone, North Carolina, Charlottesville, Virginia, Norton, Virginia, and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Appalachian Voices publishes "The Appalachian Voice," a 71,000-circulation, bi-monthly news publication covering environmental and cultural news in the central and southern Appalachian region.
- Appalachian Voices, added 09:14, 4 January 2022 (UTC)
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Sustainability Committee
- Sustainability Office - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Toward a Sustainable Community, The Town of Chapel Hill
Citizens data initiative[edit | edit source]
Energy & Environmental Data for North Carolina
News and comment[edit | edit source]
2017
How do you improve a neighborhood? In Belmont, looking to residents for answers, Jul 13[1]
2015
After Decades in a Food Desert, These Neighbors Are Building a $2 Million Co-op—And They Own It, Nov 12[2]
External links[edit | edit source]
Wikipedia: North Carolina