We’re leading an all-out national mobilization to defeat the climate crisis.

Join our work today to help us build a thriving and just clean energy future. 

Donate

We’re leading an all-out national mobilization to defeat the climate crisis.

Join our work today to help us build a thriving and just clean energy future. 

Power Surge: May 2, 2025

This week’s current climate

© 2025 Andrew Hartnett/Evergreen Action

We made this bulletin because we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between keeping up with the news and your well-being. Here’s our latest round-up of the climate and clean energy news we're following—including short summaries and why we think they matter—and positive stories to keep us all hopeful in this fight. (Today’s voltage: 462 words)


 

🔌 News We're Plugged Into

State Building Codes: A Key to Cutting Pollution, Lowering Bills

In the absence of federal climate leadership, states have the unique power to take action to cut pollution, save families hundreds of dollars on their energy bills, and support cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient homes. The solution? The straightforward, state-specific process of updating building codes. 

On the surface, it might not sound like much, but these codes are crucial, as they set the bar for energy efficiency standards in new buildings, covering everything from air leakage to heating/cooling systems to lighting. 

But for residents to benefit, states need to adopt these standards first—and many states are decades behind. 

Michigan is the latest savvy state to take advantage of this tool. Thanks to updated codes, new homes will be 32 percent more energy efficient in the first year alone, households will save an estimated $7.2 million in energy costs, and nearly 45K metric tons of carbon dioxide will no longer be pumped into our atmosphere. 

Why this matters—Families are facing high energy costs, and updating building codes is a commonsense, ready-to-go solution for states to deliver for their residents. Many states have yet to take advantage of this low-hanging opportunity, and states that haven’t kept up stand to gain the most from upgrading, potentially ushering in a windfall of cost savings and pollution reductions.

Amp up your knowledge: 

 


 

💪 Empowering Headlines

 


 

🎧 Watts On Our Playlist 

What the Climate Movement Can Learn from the Music Industry

This podcast is an oldie but a goodie—a timely guide to transforming climate anxiety into action. In this episode, Dr. Katharine Wilkinson speaks to Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson about her book “What If We Get It Right, Visions of Climate Futures,” the importance of envisioning the future we all deserve, and taking the necessary steps to secure it. 

Tune in:

 


 

✨ Sparking Joy

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JB Pritzker (@jbpritzker)