In the News

Ali Croft Ali Croft

Activists sketch out plan for Henrico on fighting climate change

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Henrico County should be as green as its neighbors, activists say. Several localities have different degrees of climate plans. Chesterfield County announced a detailed plan in 2019. Richmond recently released its RVAgreen 2050, a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by the year 2030, and by 100% by the year 2050.

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April 14, 2023, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Henrico County should be as green as its neighbors, activists say. Several localities have different degrees of climate plans. Chesterfield County announced a detailed plan in 2019. Richmond recently released its RVAgreen 2050, a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by the year 2030, and by 100% by the year 2050.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Throwing some shade in the less fortunate communities

After the Monuments podcast

Kelli and Michael Paul welcome Sheri Shannon to studio to talk about her work with Southside ReLeaf, a volunteer-run organization committed to building a healthy, equitable and sustainable environment for all residents in South Richmond.

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February 21, 2023, After the Monuments podcast

Kelli and Michael Paul welcome Sheri Shannon to studio to talk about her work with Southside ReLeaf, a volunteer-run organization committed to building a healthy, equitable and sustainable environment for all residents in South Richmond.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Can U.S. cities use climate plans to 'undo' racist legacies?

Reuters

The Southside area of Richmond is home to industrial lots, racially diverse neighborhoods, an enormous tobacco facility – and little public greenery.

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November 2, 2022, Reuters

The Southside area of Richmond is home to industrial lots, racially diverse neighborhoods, an enormous tobacco facility – and little public greenery.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Arbor Day RVA works to help city meet tree canopy goals

VPM

Reforest Richmond is working with grassroots groups and the city to celebrate Arbor Day RVA. The partner organizations have planned tree plantings, giveaways and more in an effort to build momentum toward the city’s tree-cover goals.

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October 21, 2022, VPM

Reforest Richmond is working with grassroots groups and the city to celebrate Arbor Day RVA. The partner organizations have planned tree plantings, giveaways and more in an effort to build momentum toward the city’s tree-cover goals.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Chesapeake Bay region loses ground in effort to increase tree canopy

Bay Journal

Looking at the skinny elm sapling reaching for the sky in his backyard, James Bryant said that he hopes he lives long enough to be able to sit under its canopy and read a book in summer.

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October 11, 2022, Bay Journal

Looking at the skinny elm sapling reaching for the sky in his backyard, James Bryant said that he hopes he lives long enough to be able to sit under its canopy and read a book in summer.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Environmentalists call for more green infrastructure ahead of Hurricane Ian

VPM

While rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian could mean flooded streets in South Richmond, environmental groups say that green infrastructure might help mitigate future flooding.

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September 30, 2022, VPM

While rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian could mean flooded streets in South Richmond, environmental groups say that green infrastructure might help mitigate future flooding.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Richmond's urban heat islands -- Scott's Addition, Jackson Ward, Manchester -- put communities in danger

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Manchester is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city of Richmond — along with Scott’s Addition, Jackson Ward, Monroe Ward, the Diamond District and part of Virginia Commonwealth University.

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July 4, 2022, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Manchester is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city of Richmond — along with Scott’s Addition, Jackson Ward, Monroe Ward, the Diamond District and part of Virginia Commonwealth University.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Stoney introduces draft 'Climate Equity' plan for Richmond following public criticism of spending plan

Richmond Times-Dispatch

With the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 — and eliminating it completely by 2050 — the city of Richmond is seeking public input on its plans to hit those targets.

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April 19, 2022, Richmond Times-Dispatch

With the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 — and eliminating it completely by 2050 — the city of Richmond is seeking public input on its plans to hit those targets.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Intern Hallie Tucker’s Interview with Sheri Shannon of Southside ReLeaf

Virginia Water Resources Research Center

As an intern for the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, I am conducting interviews and creating art about environmental justice leaders, water rights advocates, and scientists, from around the country, to discuss their roles in the fight for environmental justice.

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April 13, 2022, Virginia Water Resources Research Center

As an intern for the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, I am conducting interviews and creating art about environmental justice leaders, water rights advocates, and scientists, from around the country, to discuss their roles in the fight for environmental justice.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Lawmakers prune equity initiatives from tree canopy bill

VPM

Legislation aimed at increasing tree canopies across Virginia passed both chambers of the General Assembly after legislators compromised on removing language around equity.

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March 28, 2022, VPM

Legislation aimed at increasing tree canopies across Virginia passed both chambers of the General Assembly after legislators compromised on removing language around equity.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Taking Root

Richmond Magazine

In the city of Richmond, there are an estimated 120,000 trees on public land. Numerous nonprofits and volunteer groups are working to increase that number, as trees provide many benefits, from filtering pollution and preventing erosion to lowering temperatures. In some areas, planting trees has become a form of climate — and community — activism.

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February 28, 2022, Richmond Magazine

In the city of Richmond, there are an estimated 120,000 trees on public land. Numerous nonprofits and volunteer groups are working to increase that number, as trees provide many benefits, from filtering pollution and preventing erosion to lowering temperatures. In some areas, planting trees has become a form of climate — and community — activism.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Virginia Home Grown: Southside ReLeaf

VPM

Host Peggy Singlemann talks to Amy Wentz and Sheri Shannon of Southside ReLeaf to learn how the grassroots organization brings volunteers together with other community groups to plant trees and combat the urban heat islands in Southside Richmond.

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October 26, 2021, VPM

Host Peggy Singlemann talks to Amy Wentz and Sheri Shannon of Southside ReLeaf to learn how the grassroots organization brings volunteers together with other community groups to plant trees and combat the urban heat islands in Southside Richmond.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

City Council declares City of Richmond to be in a state of climate emergency

The Commonwealth Times

Richmond has become one of the 2,006 local governments across the world to declare to be in a state of climate emergency, according to the Climate Emergency Declaration and Mobilisation website.

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September 29, 2021, The Commonwealth Times

Richmond has become one of the 2,006 local governments across the world to declare to be in a state of climate emergency, according to the Climate Emergency Declaration and Mobilisation website.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Williams: Climate change is compounding social injustice. It must be addressed.

Richmond Times-Dispatch

History — as much as rising sea levels, soaring temperatures and fossil fuels warming the planet — has left impoverished Black residents of Hampton Roads vulnerable to environmental onslaught.

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August 31, 2021, Richmond Times-Dispatch

History — as much as rising sea levels, soaring temperatures and fossil fuels warming the planet — has left impoverished Black residents of Hampton Roads vulnerable to environmental onslaught.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Yes, Virginia, we are seeing more — and more intense — rainfall

Virginia Mercury

Record-setting rainfall in 2018. A month’s worth of water that drenched Northern Virginia in an hour in July 2019. Neighborhoods that flood repeatedly in Richmond’s Southside and Petersburg.

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August 20, 2021, Virginia Mercury

Record-setting rainfall in 2018. A month’s worth of water that drenched Northern Virginia in an hour in July 2019. Neighborhoods that flood repeatedly in Richmond’s Southside and Petersburg.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Richmond on Fire

Chesapeake Unchartered

Climate change is making it hotter. But communities of color are likely to feel the heat more. In Richmond, VA, solutions are being tested that could point the way for other American cities.

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August 13, 2021, Chesapeake Unchartered

Climate change is making it hotter. But communities of color are likely to feel the heat more. In Richmond, VA, solutions are being tested that could point the way for other American cities.

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Ali Croft Ali Croft

Environmental inequalities: American cities are taking matters into their own hands

Radio Canada

Alors que le président Biden promet de se battre pour la justice environnementale, des municipalités tentent de renverser des tendances historiques. (French)

As President Biden vows to fight for environmental justice, municipalities are trying to reverse historic trends.

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July 21, 2021, Radio Canada

Alors que le président Biden promet de se battre pour la justice environnementale, des municipalités tentent de renverser des tendances historiques. (French)

As President Biden vows to fight for environmental justice, municipalities are trying to reverse historic trends.

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