You Can Help!

Get Involved & Volunteer

Interested in getting involved in climate action at a broader scale besides your own individual actions?  Charleston is home to many grassroots organizations that are working hard to address climate challenges and these groups may be of interest to you, such as:

  1. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
  2. Use Less Single-Use Plastics
  3. Plan Sustainable Events

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Be aware of the energy you consume and seek opportunities to lower the pollution of CO2 emissions and enhance health and livability, some ideas include:

  • Reduce Energy Use (Home and Office): Reducing energy consumption also includes ensuring energy use is as efficient as possible. Eric riding a bike in downtown Charleston Opens in new windowConsider upgrading lights, windows, and appliances to energy efficient models.  A programmable thermostat can save energy when you are not home. Also remember energy escapes through air leaks and poor insulation which degrades over time. Reduce drafts and air leaks with caulk, insulation and weather stripping, common areas needing attention over time include attics and windows.  
  • Utilize Programs to Improve Energy Efficiency (Home and Office):
    • The SC Energy Office Energy Saver Tool generates various energy efficiency programs that apply to you across state, city and utility.
    • The Sustainability Institute’s Energy Conservation Corps: FOR HOME & NON-PROFIT 
      • FREE Home Energy Checkup/Analysis
      • FREE Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits 
      • Serving income-qualified homeowners & non-profits- inquire with them for eligibility
    • Palmetto CAP Weatherization Program: FOR HOME 
      • FREE Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits for individuals and families who meet income guidelines
    • Dominion Energy: FOR HOME
      • FREE Home Energy Checkup/Analysis 
      • DISCOUNT / REBATE Offers: light bulb discounts, appliance recycling rebates, heating and cooling rebates, and natural gas rebates
      • FREE Energy Savings Tips
      • FREE Learn about solar for your home (remember to focus first on energy efficiency upgrades)
      • Serving Dominion residential customers
    • Dominion Energy: FOR BUSINESS
      • REBATE Offers: lighting incentives, HVAC upgrade incentives, food service incentives, custom project incentives
      • DISCOUNT /REBATE "Small Business Energy Solutions Program" supports big savings for small businesses including an Energy Analysis and up to 80% of the cost for recommended energy efficiency measures 
      • REBATE Custom Building Tune-Up financial incentives
      • FREE Learn about solar for your business (remember to focus first on energy efficiency upgrades)
      • Serving Dominion non-residential customers
    • Berkeley Electric Cooperative: FOR HOME
      • FREE Home Energy Audit/Analysis 
      • DISCOUNT /REBATE Offers: smart thermostat rebates, electric water heater rebates, heat pump rebates,  dual fuel system rebates, Earth Connect geothermal heating and cooling closed loop system rebates,  residential outdoor lighting program
      • FREE Offers Energy Savings Tips
      • LOAN "Home Advantage Loan Program" Energy Efficiency Retrofit Improvements based on energy audit
      • LOAN "Energy Advance Projects" finances materials and labor for energy improvements such as windows (home or business)
      • FREE Energy App: download the Smart Hub app to view your energy use per month/day and per hour, pay bills & report outage through the app
      • Serving Berkeley Electric Coop residential members
    • Berkeley Electric Cooperative: FOR BUSINESS
      • FREE Business Energy Audit/Analysis 
      • DISCOUNT /REBATE Offers: smart thermostat rebates, electric water heater rebates, heat pump rebates,  dual fuel system rebates, residential outdoor lighting program
      • FREE Offers Energy Savings Tips
      • LOAN "Energy Advance Projects" finances materials and labor for energy improvements (home or business)
      • FREE Energy App: download the Smart Hub app to view your energy use per month/day and per hour, pay bills & report outage through the app
      • Serving Berkeley Electric Coop business members
    •  Visit www.EnergyStar.gov for a list of Federal Tax Credits available for energy improvements
  • Walk, Bike, and use Transit: Consider alternatives to driving like walking, biking or taking transit as able. You can also consider driving a low carbon or electric vehicle.raised-bed-logs
  • Choose Local Food: The production and transportation of food contributes greenhouse gas emissions to our atmosphere. Seek to buy food that is locally grown and food that doesn’t require heavy pesticides (i.e. organic) or heavy energy intensity to produce (i.e. many meats, like beef). Seek ways to add more local organic vegetables to your diet which require the least amount of energy and support a sustainable local economy.
  • compost, recycle, trash photo from VerdeReuse and Recycle: The production of goods is an energy intensive process, from the extraction of resources, to manufacturing, to transportation and ultimate disposal. Consider reusing or selling items you no longer need, buying used items, and recycling items as possible.
  • Reduce Water Use: Water requires energy to pump, treat and heat. Use only what you need and consider installing water-efficient faucets, toilets, dishwashers and washing machines.
  1. Plant Trees
  2. Implement Green Infrastructure
  3. Limit Use of Impervious Surfaces

Plant Trees & Conserve Treestree in Charleston

Trees provide incredible and cost effective flood-mitigating benefits including absorbing, deflecting and purifying stormwater. 

Trees also offer many other benefits such as providing shade to manage extreme heat and lower utility bills.

Learn more about how to plant trees.

Learn more about green infrastructure and how it can make Charleston more resilient.


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