Climate Action!

Global warming is becoming more serious every day. You can make a difference by helping communities, schools, colleges and universities, healthcare institutions, businesses, and individuals in the Lehigh Valley create and implement plans to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuels.

The mayors of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton signed on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2006, and both Lehigh and Northampton counties and the Bethlehem Area School District also adopted Climate Protection Agreements that year—but they need help to move beyond words; they need to mobilize resources and create real change. (If your primary interest is reducing GHG emissions on your campus, consider the campus sustainability internship.)

Internships are structured to fit projects that are underway at the time, and generally include some or all of the following activities to help develop and promote action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

• Meet with leaders to encourage more action to reduce dependence on fossil-fuel-based energy;
• Meet with institutional leaders to promote sustainability and climate action and/or help develop actual plans;
• Work with community members to increase public awareness;
• Create and distribute educational materials;
• Meet with public officials; and
• Make presentations at schools, institutions, businesses, and community groups.

Requirements: Strong interest in and commitment to mitigating global warming and climate change; strong interpersonal, writing, and problem-solving skills.