My name is Evelyn, and I started my journey as an AmeriCorps member in November 2023. I’m serving as a Climate Action Leader with Campus Compact’s national program called Campus Climate Action Corps. My host site is St. Lawrence University the neighboring hockey rival to my alma mater, Clarkson University. I’m currently watching snow fall rapidly on the other side of my office window; St. Lawrence is located in Canton, New York, in what is considered the “North Country.” Basically, we’re almost in Canada.
Considering the cold temperatures and winter weather that folks experience up here, home energy efficiency and heating are an important challenge. On my very first day of service, I was lucky enough to start training with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County as an Energy Navigator Volunteer. Along with two St. Lawrence undergraduate students, I learned about home insulation and energy efficiency, renewable heating options, the electric grid, and the various ways community members can switch to solar energy. I also learned about the federal and state programs available to help fund home improvements and efficiency upgrades, as well as utility programs and rebates.
In our final training session, we met at our instructor’s home to do a practice home walkthrough and gain hands-on experience with watt meters, infrared readers, and DIY fixes like window and pipe insulation. We were also introduced to the Energy Advisor for our county. In New York State, there are Regional Clean Energy Hubs that can assist residents and businesses with energy questions. Energy Advisors can help with applications for government programs and connect folks with contractors to perform clean energy upgrades.
As Energy Navigators, the two students and I will perform basic home energy assessments and help answer local residents’ questions about energy, utility bills, home upgrades, and more. We’ll introduce them to federal and state programs, and if they would like to pursue any, we'll connect them with our local Energy Advisor.
It truly looks like my office is in a snow globe, and students are just beginning to arrive back on campus for the spring semester. As we settle into the cold winter months, I look forward to working with students to connect with local residents and help address concerns about heating and utility bills.
Campus Climate Action Corps is the first nationwide AmeriCorps program solely dedicated to campus-based, community-led climate action. CCAC members serve at college and university campuses across the country to improve community energy efficiency, educate stakeholders on climate change, lead ecosystem health projects, and more. To learn more about CCAC or to get involved, please visit compact.org/CCAC.