In recent months, the climate conversation has shifted dramatically under the new administration, removing support specifically meant for those most impacted by climate change. The president signed executive orders that ended diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and is now seeking to cancel billions in contracted funding meant to support the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. The administration also declared a national energy emergency, calling for a massive surge in fossil fuel production.

Despite these changes, Greenlink Analytics, based in Atlanta, Georgia, remains committed to advocating for urgent climate action. We continue to use data to help shape policies and programs that reduce the impacts of climate change in a fair and just way, focusing on providing pathways to cleaner and more efficient energy. Notably, Atlanta is one of the areas at highest risk, particularly for vulnerable communities, such as the elderly, communities of color, children under five and those with lower incomes.

With this in mind, Greenlink CEO Matt Cox was invited as a guest on the Closer Look, a show hosted by Rose Scott that airs on Metro Atlanta’s NPR and PBS affiliate, WABE, on February 18. During the interview, they discussed the current climate (pun intended) of energy policy work and talked about the importance of involving the communities most affected by historically harmful energy policies in shaping future solutions.

“When we talk about community-centered action, you can work with people, or you can work for them,” Cox said. “And if you are working with them, and they are partners in the work, you’re going to have a much longer lasting, more sustainable and more durable impact.”

Cox also highlighted the essential role that local and state legislators play in developing policies to combat climate change from the ground up, rather than imposing them from the top down. “Getting work between local government, community-based organizations, and local communities that’s going to be the initial starting point for anything that will be effective, and we’ve had research that’s shown that for decades,” Cox said. “The main thing that the federal assistance was providing under the prior administration was funding, you had money, you had support…and now we’re going to need to hang together to get the projects advanced.”

His message is clear: addressing climate change requires the involvement of all communities to have real and enduring outcomes. Without their involvement, long lasting and impactful progress is impossible.

Listen to the full interview: Nonprofit pushes local governments to factor historically marginalized communities in climate change policies.