The District of Columbia’s Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF)
This will be the 32nd year the District of Columbia has held its famous environmental film festival. Since 1993, DCEFF has been the premier showcase of environmental films. Each March, they’ve brought the world’s largest green film festival to museums, embassies, universities, and other cultural institutions across Washington DC. In addition to the many thousands of audience members they serve with our in-person programming, DCEFF offers year-round virtual screenings to passionate and environmentally-conscious viewers across the United States and the world.
In 1993, Flo Stone had a wild idea. She created the first major Environmental Film Festival in the United States, covering an array of topics from activism and conservation to discovery and exploration. Her goal was to inform, collaborate and inspire people from all walks of life to seek out truth, and bring awareness to fundamental ecological issues. It was her hope that the festival would uplift the voices of those fighting to preserve the splendor of our natural world.
For the past 3 decades DCEFF has set the bar for the highest quality environmental film festivals. The Environmental Film festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) has carried out Flo Stone’s mission as the world’s premier showcase for environmentally themed film. It has been an honor for DCEFF to reach countless audience members across the world. DCEFF continues to build an adventurous, collaborative, and diverse network of film lovers and film makers through our dedication to excellence in programming, education, and community engagement. The organizers of DCEFF feel that when we are united, we truly have the power to make a difference.
Into the future, DCEFF greets the challenges of tomorrow with optimism and a renewed commitment to carry out their mission. They’re doubling down on their pledge to bring awareness to the beauty and importance of the planet’s ecosystems through film, and to advocate for nature with the same commitment and optimism as their founder, Flo Stone.
This year’s 2025 festival begins March 20th and concludes on March 29th. Check out their website at District of Columbia Environmental Film Festival.
Walmart investing in 74 rooftop community solar projects
In Maryland and Illinois, the retail giant is investing in community solar to help the surrounding community harness clean energy. SOLAR POWER
FEBRUARY 3, 2025
Tim O’Connor | Used by permission
Walmart is investing in 74 different rooftop solar projects in Maryland and Illinois in partnership with Solar Landscape. The bulk of the commercial rooftop solar projects are expected to be up-and-running by the end of 2025 and estimated to produce enough electricity to power more than 3,600 homes.
“Walmart’s community solar investments underscore the fact that that the big flat sunny roofs of commercial buildings are perfect for hosting solar panels,” said Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center.
In 2024, Walmart outlined plans to support 10 GW worth of clean projects – including 2 GW of community solar.
It’s estimated that nearly half of American households can’t install their own solar system. Community solar, which allows community members to purchase a portion of electricity from a solar farm, helps those who can’t get solar panels themselves still find a way to reap the benefits of clean energy.
Walmart has more rooftop solar potential than any other retailer in America according to the report Solar on Superstores.
Heat pumps are outselling gas furnaces by a record margin
According to new 2024 data, Americans are buying 37% more heat pumps than gas furnaces. ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Heat pumps are bringing more highly efficient, low-emission heat to Americans this winter than ever before. According to new data from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, heat pump sales outpaced gas furnaces by just under 37 percent from November 2023 to November 2024. This marks a big jump from 2023.
Heat pumps are so much more efficient than gas furnaces because they move heat rather than create it. While gas furnaces burn fossil fuels to create warm air, heat pumps use electricity to transfer existing heat into your home. And they have the added benefit that, when summer comes around, most heat pumps can help cool your home by transferring heat back outside.
As of 2020, most Americans still rely on gas to heat their homes, but since space heating and cooling accounts for more than half of home energy use, switching to an efficient electric HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system alone can make a big impact to reduce home energy use.
“Switching to a heat pump can provide reliable heating and cooling that’s highly efficient and can be powered by renewable energy,” said Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center.
A significant conversation about wildlife conservation
Gov. Doug Burgum, the new Secretary of the Interior, discussed wildlife conservation during his confirmation hearings as nominee. See the positive exchange in the YouTube link below. WILDLIFE & WILD PLACES
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, nominee and now current Secretary of the Interior, fielded a timely, important question on wildlife funding.
It came from Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, who has championed the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act alongside Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
It was great to watch their 2-minute, constructive exchange.
This is the type of bipartisan wildlife bill that can get across the finish line in the coming year, and we’ll work to make it happen.
Steve Blackledge
Senior Director, Conservation America Campaign, Environment America