The Center for Energy Education is amping up the effort to discover more about how the climate crisis impacts communities of color in northeastern North Carolina and is searching for volunteers.

The project collaborates with students from North Carolina State University with direction from Professor Walter A. Robinson of the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University.

Findings from this project will assist C4EE in developing educational programs based on the stories shared by residents in these communities.

According to The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, there is a scientific consensus that Earth's climate is warming. 

Numerous studies also reveal that climate change's impact creates economic instability, health issues and affects the overall quality of living. 

These impacts are especially true for impoverished or minority communities. The C4EE looks forward to capturing stories from residents to highlight environmental injustices.

"This is an important project for the community to participate in. We hope that through conducting these interviews, it will lead to solutions and change in the disparities that are present in northeastern North Carolina as it relates to climate change," says Mozine Lowe, executive director of C4EE.

The center's dedication to climate change education is long-standing. 

In 2018, C4EE released a mini-documentary called In A State of Climate Change about severe weather in North Carolina. 

The mini-documentary can be viewed on the center’s website

In 2019, C4EE unveiled its indoor/outdoor Climate Change exhibit on its campus. 

The NCSU students who are leading the project include: Allison Garrett, dual environmental science and political science major with a minor in global public health; Leo Jaff, environmental science major studying environmental and social justice, with minors in law and justice and renewable energy assessment; Erica Simmons, double major in geology and environmental science, with minors in biology and environmental toxicology; and Jasmine Gregory, double environmental science and political science major with a focal area in environmental justice.

North Carolina counties included in the project are Halifax, Warren, Northampton, and Bertie. Residents of these counties are encouraged to contact the C4EE before March 19, 2021, to participate.