The Land Institute
Some of the best ideas emerge from humble beginnings. This is what happened one day in 2006 when Nancy Jackson had a particular conversation with her father-in-law, Wes Jackson.
"The Climate Energy Project (CEP) came about after an argument in the kitchen," laughed Nancy, executive director of CEP. "Two large coal plants were proposed for Western Kansas. Wes testified against their establishment at hearings in the eastern part of the state. I suggested that if we wanted to make a real difference, there might be a better way," said Nancy. When Wes asked what she would do, she suggested appealing to all of Kansas, especially the western part of the state, giving them a real, palpable sense of better, immediate options. His next question to Nancy was, "Would you quit your job to work on this?" Her reply: "In a heartbeat." The next day Nancy and Wes, president and founder of The Land Institute, were on the phone with a potential funder.
Nancy, an environmental history major, left a secure job she enjoyed at the University of Kansas to pursue this passion because of the next generation. "I look into the faces of my young children and I know I would not be able to face them 20 years down the road when they'd say, 'You knew. Why did you let this happen?' I knew I had to do everything I could," said Nancy. Kansas is an iconic "red" state, and some of the biggest hurdles to strong climate legislation remain in the Midwest. While their work is cut out for them, CEP has made tremendous progress.
In a predominantly agricultural state that also produces oil and gas, interest groups around these industries are busy at work. Through early polls and focus groups, CEP has found that roughly half of all Kansans are skeptical about the science behind climate change, and fear that action may hurt their heavily coal-powered economy. "People don't want to talk about climate change, but when it comes to solutions and tools, they're all for it. If we can find a way to talk to a targeted audience in a way that resonates with their beliefs, and have peers talking to peers in their respective fields and industries, you will see openness and willingness to have the conversation. This is what has happened relatively quickly in the last two and a half years," said Nancy.
CEP has found that if they can convince Kansas to focus on solutions and its significant role in climate change, it will be symbolic for the nation and harvest attention. Their breakthrough Climate Impact Study, which specifically details likely dire impacts of climate change on the semi-arid, agriculturally-dependent state of Kansas was picked up by the LA Times, NBC News, Salina Journal, Kansas Public Radio, and the Carbon Based blog. CEP has published reports that suggest that as the second windiest state, Kansas has potential to become a national leader in wind manufacturing.
On the ground, CEP is committed to multiplying and deepening the new voices calling for action on global warming at the state and national levels. CEP has instituted the fun and educational Take Charge Challenge in six communities across Kansas, inspiring culturally and geographically diverse towns of up to 50,000 residents to become more energy-efficient. Results from the first half of the challenge revealed that over one million kilowatts have been saved thanks to switched light bulbs, audited and retrofitted buildings, redeemed rebates for more efficient air conditioners and refrigerators, and increased use of programmable thermostats.
CEP also organizes the active Interfaith Kansas Power & Light chapter of the National Regeneration Project (NRP). The NRP works with faith-based leaders and groups who sign a covenant agreeing to: (1) conduct energy audits and pursue energy efficiency standards from their sanctuary; (2) speak out for climate action in their congregations; and (3) work with parishioners to help residents organize and save energy. The NRP has successfully partnered with Blue Green Alliance to help labor unions and environmental organizations increase the number of green jobs in the United States; the multinational giant Siemens will soon employ 400 people in the small town of Hutchinson, Kansas, building nacelles for wind turbines.
CEP is working with residents in the heartland to take actions that are "the right thing to do," whether they believe in climate change or not. They've found that such shared actions often lead to deeper conversation. CEP is confident that America's breadbasket can feed-and fuel-the nation with clean, sustainable energy.