The Groundwire Group

Who are Americans looking to for answers about #climatechange? In many cases, it may be someone they know and trust. A recent report from Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University shows that Americans recognize and care about the fact that climate change could harm their health. And increasingly, they're looking to trusted community members, like first responders or primary care doctors, for information on how. Communicating effectively about climate solutions requires more than great messaging. It calls for deep insights on who your audience is, what they care about, and how to best reach them. Image credit: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication (https://lnkd.in/eeGtTadM)

ICYMI: Macro Meets Micro, our annual report, unpacks the most urgent climate and sustainability trends for the year ahead. Macro Meets Micro takes a #systemsthinking approach. Systems thinking challenges our assumptions and reveals complexities we may not catch at first glance. A look at the whole system can often reveal new opportunities as well as unintended consequences. By mapping out the #climate and #sustainability landscape in this way, we hope to help those building our climate future – from community leaders to project developers, #transmission operators to #sustainableinvestors, climate and #cleanenergy advocates to corporate sustainability officers – clear roadblocks that might be standing in your way. Page through below! (You'll find an overview of major themes covered in the report on page 6.) The report in full can be downloaded here: https://lnkd.in/ereAdrvb

On #InternationalWomensDay, the Groundwire team wants to recognize work created by women that drives us personally to envision what the #climate future could look like. A diversity of skills, perspectives, approaches, knowledge, and opinions will be necessary to build that future. This list is wide-ranging and examines topics that run the gamut from how to map a system to how to strike an emotional chord. It looks at the histories of everything from policymaking at the Pentagon to organizing in communities. It includes a mixture of analysis, nonfiction, fiction, poetry, art, and even something for the youngest #energy whizzes among us. We hope you can draw knowledge and inspiration from it – we certainly have!? ? ?? Thinking in Systems by Donella H. Meadows (https://lnkd.in/e797wT6D)? ?? Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power by Rebecca Solnit (https://lnkd.in/d-sn9RgC)? ?? All We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Dr. Katharine K. Wilkinson (with wisdom from 50 female thought leaders) (https://lnkd.in/eRw__46X)? ?? Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy Careers (https://lnkd.in/ge43K_hM)? ?? The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On by Franny Choi (https://lnkd.in/eXkASFyT)? ?? The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future by Gretchen Bakke (https://lnkd.in/edBXAMum)? ?? Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (https://lnkd.in/eVvA7zs5)? ?? Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (https://lnkd.in/eh8EYpit)? ?? The work of Ada Limón (https://lnkd.in/eF6bHhBS)? ?? The work of Katharine Hayhoe (https://lnkd.in/gzj2iVbs) ?? The work of Nicole Kelner (https://lnkd.in/exViKDPz)? ? And a bonus shortlist of readings-in-progress and books on our shelves that we can’t wait to crack open:? ?? What If We Get It Right??Visions of Climate Futures by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (https://lnkd.in/eugmcdPf)? ?? Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security by Sherri Goodman (https://lnkd.in/eSe44ReY)? ?? Trophic Cascade by Camille Dungy (https://lnkd.in/eSuiMCy6) ?? The Value of Everything: Making and Taking in the Global Economy by Mariana Mazzucato (https://lnkd.in/enMavuhU) We know there's a lot more women-created work out there that's defining what the climate future looks like. We'd love to get your recommendations in the comments. #AccelerateAction #IWD2025

It's still unclear whether U.S. tariffs apply to #electricity, and if so what mechanisms will be used to collect them. ? (More on that from Utility Dive: https://lnkd.in/ePZYENFt) ? Regardless of the outcome, the uncertainty this trade war creates is harmful. ? It harms everyone who relies on a stable and affordable electricity system. Consumers are left in limbo on whether they'll experience dramatic increases in rates or power outages. ? It also harms business. Investors are key to building the grid of the future, and uncertainty makes it unclear how to wisely invest. ? The U.S. and Canadian #powergrids are interconnected. Interregional collaboration — not trade wars — benefits people on both sides of the border.

“If we’re seeing a U.S. government that is no longer willing to uphold agreements and contracts it executed under the prior administration, that’s a huge dampening effect on potential investment across so many sectors,” she said. “It raises a lot of questions for developers and investors about whether we can trust the commitment that we’ve received from the federal government.” I really appreciated the opportunity to speak with this journalist today, who is doing great reporting on #offshorewind. Mea culpa to my pedantic lawyer friends (love you for it) for calling it an Executive Order when it’s actually a Presidental Memorandum. In this case, a distinction without a difference. https://lnkd.in/eEScUMtr

The Groundwire team just came back from a two-day deep dive on the most urgent issues in clean #energypolicy?at #ACOREPolicyForum in Washington, D.C. Here’s what we came away with: ?? The Trump Administration’s sledgehammer-not-scalpel approach to everything from tax credits to federal workforces will continue to create short-term panic and?pivoting. But capital won’t stop moving and the #energytransition will need to forge ahead amid uncertainty.? ?? Pair this with the looming question of data center demand growth, and the “unknowns” start stacking up. Strong coalitions will help!?Transparent communication between energy developers, producers, consumers, and regulators is not a nice-to-have – it's critical to navigating what comes next.? ?? The #renewableenergy industry is finding itself in a balancing act between the speed of need and the speed of trust. Permitting reform can bring projects online faster?and reduce unnecessary project cost overruns – but reform shouldn’t be used to?sidestep?public engagement.? ?? Getting #renewables built means paying attention to what’s happening on the ground. Getting to “yes” in host communities is crucial, and rushing this process can cost developers down the line. Meeting energy demand or mitigating climate impacts may be top-of-mind for renewable energy developers – but community members may be more interested in revenues for public services, workforce development, or improvements to their community.? ? Thanks to American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) for bringing the #cleanenergy industry together to find a path forward!

The Groundwire team just came back from a two-day deep dive on the most urgent issues in clean #energypolicy?at #ACOREPolicyForum in Washington, D.C. Here’s what we came away with: ?? The Trump Administration’s sledgehammer-not-scalpel approach to everything from tax credits to federal workforces will continue to create short-term panic and?pivoting. But capital won’t stop moving and the #energytransition will need to forge ahead amid uncertainty.? ?? Pair this with the looming question of data center demand growth, and the “unknowns” start stacking up. Strong coalitions will help!?Transparent communication between energy developers, producers, consumers, and regulators is not a nice-to-have – it's critical to navigating what comes next.? ?? The #renewableenergy industry is finding itself in a balancing act between the speed of need and the speed of trust. Permitting reform can bring projects online faster?and reduce unnecessary project cost overruns – but reform shouldn’t be used to?sidestep?public engagement.? ?? Getting #renewables built means paying attention to what’s happening on the ground. Getting to “yes” in host communities is crucial, and rushing this process can cost developers down the line. Meeting energy demand or mitigating climate impacts may be top-of-mind for renewable energy developers – but community members may be more interested in revenues for public services, workforce development, or improvements to their community.? ? Thanks to American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) for bringing the #cleanenergy industry together to find a path forward!

“If we’re seeing a U.S. government that is no longer willing to uphold agreements and contracts it executed under the prior administration, that’s a huge dampening effect on potential investment across so many sectors,” she said. “It raises a lot of questions for developers and investors about whether we can trust the commitment that we’ve received from the federal government.” I really appreciated the opportunity to speak with this journalist today, who is doing great reporting on #offshorewind. Mea culpa to my pedantic lawyer friends (love you for it) for calling it an Executive Order when it’s actually a Presidental Memorandum. In this case, a distinction without a difference. https://lnkd.in/eEScUMtr

We’re so excited to share our 2025 Macro Meets Micro report! In this annual report, we use a systems thinking approach to look at trends shaping the climate and sustainability landscape in the year ahead. For 2025, these three trends stood out: ?? Lawfare? The courts will be busy places in 2025. From challenges to government policies to opposition against new developments, #climate is on the docket. ???The Great Reframing? The words you choose are more important than ever. New narratives offer new opportunities to connect your message to what matters. ???Rhetoric Meets Reality? Big ambitions abound. Look for the substance beyond the headlines and talking points. By mapping out the climate and #sustainability landscape in this way, we hope to help those building our climate future – from community leaders to project developers, transmission operators to sustainable investors, climate and #cleanenergy advocates to corporate sustainability officers – clear roadblocks that might be standing in your way. Get the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ereAdrvb

We're headed to Washington, D.C. next week for #ACOREPolicy Forum! We look forward to seeing our colleagues and gleaning insights on the current and emerging policy landscape in #renewableenergy. Will you be there??We'd love to see you. Send a message to Abby L. Watson or Raquel Pichardo to set up time to chat. We're happy to hear about the strategic or communications opportunities you're most excited about this year — or to just meet up and say hello!