A year of big transition
This year was one of significant transitions—within our organization, across our communities and
throughout the world. These transformations have deepened our communities’ capacity to adapt
to whatever comes our way. As we approach the end of the year, we reflect on the opportunities,
challenges, surprises, and even the grief that these changes bring.
Internally, one of our most notable changes was Hannah Sohl’s thoughtful transition to new life
endeavors. We are profoundly grateful for the tremendous leadership and dedication she provided
over the past decade as co-founder and Executive Director.
Our communities have consistently shown up for Southern Oregon and the South Coast throughout the year. We witnessed incredible solidarity:
- The Ashland Youth for Electrification campaign gained more active supporters than ever. Despite city delays, our voices hold strong as we demand bold climate action.
- On the South Coast, community members critically engaged with offshore wind proposals. Their advocacy underscored the need for decision makers to conduct meaningful community and Tribal engagement, and the importance of pausing to better understand the impacts of offshore wind before deciding if a project is to move forward in the future.
- New cohorts of dedicated youth leaders emerged to gain skills and drive change in their communities across the South Coast and Rogue Valley.
As the climate crisis intensifies, it’s crucial that we channel our outrage and grief into action.
We must continue to foster connections, create disaster preparedness resources, advocate for
community-led climate solutions, challenge fossil fuel corporations, and empower the next
generation. Our communities will continue to do this work on the ground. Over this next year, we’ll
need each other.
As we enter this new chapter, your support is vital. Can we count on you to make a donation today to help fuel this essential work?
We look forward to continuing this journey alongside you.
With Gratitude,
El equipo Rogue Climate
This year, we’re proud of our communities for:
Growing momentum for climate and clean air
Ashland Youth for Electrification made great progress on the Climate & Clean Air Policy Package, which aims to improve indoor air quality and energy affordability while helping the city meet its climate goals. Community advocacy led the city council to direct staff to draft these policies in June. Despite delays, momentum is growing, with nearly 1,000 petition signatures, numerous testimonies, and a committed team of adult volunteers.
Following youth leadership
We hired three high school summer fellows for the Ashland Youth for Electrification Campaign. The fellows engaged in fieldwork, testified for the policy package, lobbied the Ashland City Council, published a letter to the editor, and presented at the statewide Youth Summit in Portland. Their leadership skills have significantly grown, and they are now taking on key roles to strengthen youth power in the youth-led Rogue Climate Action Team.
Sharpening youth organizing skills
Our internship program is in its 8th year, with 25 youth participating in the Rogue Climate and Rogue Action Center’s (RAC) Community Organizing Youth Internship and BIPOC Youth Leaders Internship. They attended weekly training sessions to develop community organizing skills, applying what they learned in the Ashland Youth for Electrification campaign and ARTivism projects with the RAC.
Launching the South Coast Action Team
Youth organizing on the South Coast is back in action! This spring, our team hosted a Youth Climate Activism Workshop for ten participants, where they learned about climate action, created art, and launched a practice campaign. This led to the re-launch of the South Coast Action Team in the fall, uniting youth that are eager to drive community change and develop future climate justice campaigns.
Building resilience in our communities
This year, we secured a contract to install at least 65 electric heat pumps in low-income households in Jackson County. We’re also expanding our work on resilience hubs—community-run centers that provide support during climate emergencies. We’re developing an education program for community members who want to establish a resilience hub network in the Rogue Valley. Together, our communities can foster a resilient future.
Shaping the future of offshore wind
This year, the South Coast team and partners passed legislation for an Oregon Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap to ensure that any potential projects center coastal voices, protect Tribal resources, and create local sustainable jobs. Now that the offshore wind lease sale has been postponed, the roadmap offers an opportunity to focus on community engagement, while also intervening in fossil fuel industry-funded misinformation.
