Sun Day is a grassroots day of action celebrating solar & wind power and advocating for the transition to clean energy. It was first designated by President Jimmy Carter on May 3, 1978. The International Solar Energy Society helped transition the event into an international observance in 1994. And since […]
Energy
Solar PV Training in the Spotlight
Solar PV Training LLC (SolarPVTraining.com) is an educational platform based in Ohio that provides accredited solar photovoltaic (PV) installation training, textbooks, and curriculum materials. The company specializes in affordable in-person, online, and hybrid courses designed for individuals entering the solar workforce, property owners wanting to install their own systems, and educational institutions looking to establish solar programs.
It offers self-paced online courses like Residential Solar Installation & Design, utilizing its signature textbook, Understanding Photovoltaics. It also provides comprehensive support materials to community colleges & trade schools, including free instructor desk copies, narrated online course access, lab booklets, sample syllabi, and administrative support to help schools become official ETA testing sites.
THIRD ACT: In Defense of Climate & Democracy
Third Act is a community of Americans over sixty determined to change the world for the better. It harnesses its generational power to defend our climate & democracy. Using life experiences, skills, & resources, it tackles the unfinished work of its generation to ensure a safe & stable planet for future generations. Older Americans are the fastest-growing part of the population; 10,000 people a day pass the 60-year mark. Members of this generation saw enormous positive changes early in their lives, but now it appears that the promise of those changes may be dying, as the planet heats and inequality grows.
But as a generation, older Americans have unprecedented skills & resources. Washington & Wall Street have to listen when they speak, because they vote and because they have a large share of the country’s assets.
Break the Oil Addiction: Drive an EV
Electric vehicles (EVs) offer some real advantages over gasoline-powered cars. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, cost less to run & maintain, provide instant acceleration, and allow for at home charging. If you are interested in learning more about EVs, contact the folks at Drive Electric Columbus, an independent non-profit grassroots organization that brings together central Ohio EV owners & enthusiasts for meetings, ride & drives, educational events, and other activities related to electric vehicles. It advocates for fair policies for all current & future EV owners.
Our Future in Jeopardy from Fossil Fuels
Our present industrial civilization relies on the consumption of enormous amounts of energy, much of it provided by fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are used not only in producing transportation fuels and for generating electricity, but are also the starting material of many other products of our daily lives, including such diverse products as plastics, pharmaceuticals, solvents, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and clothing. Our continued reliance on fossil fuels will make it impossible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to stop environmental problems such as global warming. It is clear that our present economic system will need a major shift toward effective alternatives, based on renewable energy sources and more efficient ways to use them.
Changes Have Come to Blue Rock Station–Part 1
Blue Rock Station is a 38.2-acre sustainability center located at 1190 Virginia Ridge Road, Philo, Ohio, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Ohio. It features Ohio’s first Earthship, a unique living home made from used materials like tires, cans, and strawbales, and serves as a living laboratory […]
Transit Columbus: Striving for Improved Public Transportation
Transit Columbus, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization created in 2011, is an advocacy group dedicated to improving public transportation, walking, and biking infrastructure in the central Ohio region. Transit Columbus, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization created in 2011, is an advocacy group dedicated to improving public transportation, walking, and biking infrastructure in the central Ohio region.
Transitioning to a Better State with Clean Fuels Ohio
Clean Fuels Ohio (CFO), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes the use of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies in Ohio and beyond. It connects fleets, policymakers, businesses & consumers with unbiased resources and practical solutions to reduce emissions, save money, strengthen energy security, and grow Ohio’s economy. The mission of CFO is to improve air quality & health, reduce environmental pollution, and strengthen Ohio’s economy by increasing the use of cleaner, domestic fuels and energy-saving vehicles. Its vision is clean transportation across Ohio.
Plug In America Launches Survey
Plug In America has now launched its 2026 Electric Vehicle Survey and has invited residents of the US to take a few minutes to share their experiences with or perceptions of electric vehicles. Anyone who lives in the US is welcome to take the survey, whether they drive an electric vehicle or not. Plug In America will use the feedback to check the country’s pulse on topics such as charging, dealerships, purchase considerations, and barriers to adoption. Once the analysis is complete, it will be shared with the public. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the survey.
How To Passively Cool Your Home in the Summer
When temperatures soar in Summer, it’s tempting to crank up the air conditioning. Unfortunately, that can mean skyrocketing energy bills for you and a negative impact on the planet. Here’s the good news! This list of passive cooling ideas can offer you some smart solutions to minimize the effect on […]
Embrace the Spirit of Giving this Giving Tuesday with Simply Living
As the holiday season approaches, we find ourselves immersed in a blur of shopping lists, festive decorations, and the anticipation of gatherings with loved ones. Amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of spending. Yet, there’s a profound joy that comes from giving—a […]
In honor of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
In honor of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, let’s take a moment to recognize how adopting a dog from a shelter aligns with values that support a balanced, eco-friendly lifestyle. While “reduce, reuse, recycle” is a principle we often apply to physical goods, it’s equally relevant when it comes to extending compassion and practical action toward our furry friends in need. Each adoption reflects a conscious choice to reuse resources, reduce the demand for harmful practices, and recycle love and companionship in a local, sustainable way.
Tree of the Month, August 2023
Coppicing is the ancient practice of cutting down a tree or shrub, and harvesting the growth that sprouts from the stump. Coppicing was once widely used to provide construction material, fuel, and fodder, and it’s gaining renewed interest, especially as a source of sustainable energy.
Interview with a Green Realtor, Catherine Hope-Cunningham
By Abby Esch and Kenedy Witherow Last week, my fellow intern Kenedy Witherow and I had the opportunity to interview Catherine Hope-Cunningham, who considers herself to be a green realtor. We asked Catherine questions about her career history and start, what it means to be a green realtor, and whether […]
Solarize aims to jump start residential solar in Central Ohio
If you have been thinking about going solar, now is the time to act. On Tuesday, July 12, a cohort of city and community groups including Simply Living launched the Columbus Area 2022 Solar and EV Charger Co-op through a program called Solarize. Check our Events Calendar for upcoming sessions. […]
Standing with youth who are standing for climate
On April 20 the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University organized an Earth Day event called Time to Act on Climate Change. On tap was a long list of distinguished speakers including university President Kristina Johnson, slated to receive the Chadwick Award for efforts to address […]
Columbus announces ambitious Climate Action Plan that cuts carbon emissions 45% by 2030
Environmental coalition cited as instrumental in setting city’s climate goals in line with climate science Thursday, December 9, 2021 Contact:Cathy Cowan Becker, cathy@simplyliving.org, 937-271-1247Chad Stephens, chad.stephens@sierraclub.org, 216-322-6998 COLUMBUS, OH — Today Sustainable Columbus unveiled the city’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP), with an ambitious overall goal of reducing carbon emissions […]
Simply Living provides testimony on oil and gas waste disposal rules
On Monday, December 6, the Ohio legislature’s Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) heard testimony on regulations proposed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to manage disposal of oil and gas waste. Executive Director Cathy Cowan Becker testified on behalf of Simply Living and the Ohio Sustainable Business […]
Action Alert: Speak up for community solar
Community solar may be coming to Ohio! House Bill 450, which would enable community solar projects in the state, has been introduced and will have its second hearing for proponent testimony on Wednesday, November 10, at 10:30 a.m., at a meeting of the Public Utilities Committee in Room 121 of […]
Simply Living relaunches Sustainable U
Following our mission to connect people to learning opportunities that promote sustainability, environmental justice, and our local economy, Simply Living is relaunching Sustainable U. This fall we will offer two discussion courses through EcoChallenge, formerly Northwest Earth Institute, a course through Local Futures, and three online courses from our members. Read on for more […]
Creating a compassionate and sustainable world through personal, community and cultural transformation.