Alexandria Teague interned with the National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes Office.

"My internship focus at the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Office concerned climate change and the impact it will have on urban areas; I researched community mechanisms that could reduce the impact of climate change on cities.  Principally, I worked with several Detroit based community organizations to develop a sustainable energy and economic plan for the city of Detroit.  The objective is to create a sustainable plan for Detroit that will not only provide feasible energy strategies, empower communities, stop utility shut-offs, remove the current incinerator, and remove the areasí¢â‚¬â„¢ dependence on coal.  I developed several fact-sheets in regards to this plan, and a climate change presentation.  I was also able to present a climate change and climate justice presentation to a senior citizens and a high-school youth group."

Overview of the work/research conducted/duties

Detroit Energy Plan

The Detroit Energy plan was created by a coalition of Detroit based community and environmental organizations.  The meetings for the coalition began in November 2006.  They came together to discuss the beginnings of a Detroit Energy plan that would comprehensively address the cityí¢â‚¬â„¢s energy problems and bring new solutions for the Detroit community.  The coalition consists of 8 organizations such as, the National Wildlife Federation, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, and the Sierra Club Environmental Justice division.  These organizations are also concerned with the immediate impacts of climate change on low income and communities of color.  The conversations in the coalition were also linked towards ensuring that energy policy or legislation created would positively impact the energy crisis occurring in the city of Detroit, new green energy options to the city such as manufacturing of renewables in the city/job training for energy efficiency jobs, creating options for residents to start green businesses and for Detroit companies to become more green.

I joined in this coalition through my position at the National Wildlife Federation as a climate change intern.  I was added to this coalition to coordinate meetings, and facilitate the process of drafting the plan.  My duties included the logistics for the meetings, and writing/sending the meeting notes.  Toward the plan much of my responsibilities were incorporation the coalitionsí¢â‚¬â„¢ ideas into the plan and providing new research for the plan.  This summer I conducted much on climate change, energy efficiency, and clean energy policies for Michigan.  Since the plan is a guide of the coalitionsí¢â‚¬â„¢ demands and guides for city officials my research were finding key solutions and mechanisms that would guide Detroit toward energy efficiency and clean energy.  I organized a key meeting with eh steering committee of the plan to declare the coalitions key priorities to move on.  The coalitioní¢â‚¬â„¢s priorities are: energy affordability and community empowerment.  And in order for the coalition to move on these proitories I had to develop small research summaries on possible energy affordability plans that would be most feasible for Detroit.  Energy affordability is a key priority for the plan because despite the tremendous effort of these organizations and others the shut-off and energy problems for Detroit residents continue to rise.  Furthermore, the state has nearly $600 million in unaffordable energy bills and a shrinking pot of $100 million in Federal Assistance.  The community empowerment section is key because without community knowledge and support it will not be possible to carry out the plan

Fact-sheets

In regards to community knowledge and empowerment I created several fact sheets.  The fact sheets are meant to supply the community with information about the state of Detroit and Michiganí¢â‚¬â„¢s environment.  I focused on energy efficiency and energy affordability, climate change in cities, and clean energy and green jobs. Another key element of the plan was to bring green companies to Detroit.  Since the city has a large labor pool of skilled manufactures, construction workers, electricians, etc.  I wanted to highlight to jobs that would become available if green jobs were to come to Detroit.  Furthermore, wanted to highlight jobs already possible that are not traditionally consider green yet are important to the green field.  I also wanted to highlight several organizations such as Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice that are developing green job training programs that focus on energy efficiency.  These training programs focus on energy audits, energy efficient product installation, etc.  The small research summaries that I used to develop the Detroit energy plan were integrated into the creation of my fact sheets.  It is my also goal that these fact sheets will be used as literature in support of the energy plan.

Presentations

I was able to give two presentations on climate change this summer.  The first was a climate change/climate justice presentation to a group of high-school youth at the environmental NGO Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice.  This presentation was part of a discussion on the state of Detroití¢â‚¬â„¢s environment and the overall affects of industry on the climate.  The goal of this presentation was also so that the students could present this information with their own communities and classmates.  The second presentation was for the Detroit Hannan House Summer Education Series.  The focus of this presentation was the affect of climate change on air pollution and recycling.  Since Detroit is home to on e of the largest incinerators in the nation which is a large contributor to air pollution within the city.  A climate change and recycling presentation was relevant because Detroit does not have an existing recycling plan for the city.  This is because all rubbish and recyclables are needed to fuel the incinerator (which in actuality only runs at 30% capacity).  My goal of this presentation was to encourage senior citizens to lobby and speak out against air polluting industry.

Personal and Professional Development 

My internship has allowed me to interact with and improve the quality of life for communities of Detroit and Ann Arbor.  The activities and events I have conducted with both communities have given me great experience in developing work to improve living conditions in such communities like Detroit by creating sustainable development initiatives and outreach.

The research that I conducted during my internship towards sustainable community development correlates with my climate change research because my goal is to mediate the effect of climate change on urban and depressed cities; I believe if you develop the mechanisms for sustainable community development and empowerment, you can mediate the effect climate change will have on depressed and urban cities.  This is an opportunity to not only improve environmental and ecological conditions for depressed cities but also improve the living conditions in such areas.

I enjoyed the opportunities I have to engage organizations, youth, and community members in collaboration of the Detroit energy plan.  From my internship I have also increased my abilities to communicate effectively and collaboratively with a diverse group of people."

Internship Details