Partnerships for Climate Justice in the Bay Area Fellowship 2024: Centering Frontline Communities in a Resilient and Clean Energy Economy

Overview

The Greenlining Institute envisions a future where communities of color can build wealth, live in healthy places filled with economic opportunity, and are ready to meet the challenges posed by climate change. Guided by equity and systems change principles, we incubate and advocate for new ideas and build with diverse communities and partners to ensure that race is never a barrier to opportunity.

The Climate Equity Team advocates for communities of color that are on the front lines of climate change to ensure their concerns and demands are prioritized by local, state, and federal policymakers. Our small but mighty Energy team specifically prioritizes energy issues around energy affordability, equitable building decarbonization, clean energy sourcing and accessibility, and drivers for an inclusive and resilient economy. By centering the needs of those on the front lines, we will create healthier, thriving communities that embrace a more regenerative, people-centered relationship with our environment.

About the Fellowship

One pillar of Greenlining’s energy portfolio is working towards Clean Energy Sourcing and Accessibility for low-income communities of color. While we advocate for accessible and equitable adoption of solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles for priority communities, the sourcing implications of these clean energy technologies cannot be overlooked. The technologies currently in demand for the clean energy transition rely on minerals and rare earth elements extracted through unethical supply chains, both domestically and around the world. The environmental impacts and equity concerns are staggering from severe air and water pollution affecting nearby communities to unethical working conditions, in some cases involving child or forced labor. We cannot build a just clean energy future for communities of color in California at the expense of others.

The Summer Energy Transition Fellow will build off these concepts to deepen Greenlining’s understanding and engagement with battery minerals. The Fellow will support staff from Greenlining’s Energy team and Systems Change team to research the specific intervention points that Greenlining can elevate such as the feasibility of alternative chemistry batteries, ethical supply chain standards, and battery recycling.

Preferred qualifications:

• Preferred rising Seniors and Masters students 

• Committed to championing causes that serve low-income communities of color

• Prior experience with research on energy and/or international climate topics is preferred

• Pursuing a degree in Engineering, Science, Public Policy, or International Relations preferred. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively complete writing and public speaking assignments 

• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively while demonstrating flexibility with others to set goals, resolve problems, pivot assignments, and make decisions that move forward the work

• Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance

• Ability to create and maintain friendly and professional relationships with staff, other participants, and key stakeholders   

Stipend

Undergraduate Cardinal Quarter Fellows receive a base stipend of $6,500 (+$500 cost of living adjustment for the Bay Area) to support living expenses during the fellowship. Financial aid and supplemental funding may be available to students who qualify (learn more here). Masters students will receive a stipend of $8,500. Students who have begun their coterm programs (i.e., students who are paying for graduate tuition) will also receive a stipend of $8,500.