The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has released a groundbreaking report titled “Southern Solutions: How Federal Funding Is Sparking Climate Progress.” This report delves into how five Southern cities are utilizing federal funds in innovative ways to address climate change, stimulate local economies, create high-quality jobs, and enhance community resilience. The report highlights Birmingham, Alabama; Knoxville, Tennessee; Memphis, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; and Brunswick, Georgia. These five cities, representing over 1.2 million people, have secured over $572.2 million in federal funding, with numerous grants still pending. The implementation of these federal climate funds is in full swing across cities nationwide.
“Each community possesses unique needs, historical context, and opportunities to adapt and respond to climate change,” emphasized Alys Campaigne, Climate Initiative Leader at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “These case studies exemplify the potential when there’s purposeful planning and coordination between communities, local governments, and federal agencies.”
While often overshadowed by their northeastern and west coast counterparts, southern cities have skillfully leveraged federal funding to advance locally-driven, innovative climate, clean energy, and community resilience initiatives. This diverse collection of case studies underscores the wide-ranging approaches and bold on-the-ground actions made possible by new federal investments. They provide a roadmap for other Southern communities eager to tap into the remaining billions in climate funds to generate transformative local impact.
The Southern Environmental Law Center collaborated with Hua Nani Partners to produce this report. The report underscores the transformative potential of federal climate investments in the South. It showcases the innovative ways that Southern cities are using these funds to create a more sustainable and resilient future for their communities.
The Southern Environmental Law Center is a leading force in protecting the environment in the South. With a long history of success, SELC tackles the toughest environmental challenges in court, government, and communities to safeguard the region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, land, and people. This non-profit, non-partisan organization boasts a staff of 200, including over 120 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, D.C.
