The COVID-19 pandemic is exacting a dire toll on our lives and our economy. More than 100,000 Americans have died, with many more sickened, and tens of millions have lost their jobs, at least temporarily. Low-income people and communities of color have suffered disproportionately.
As we rebuild the economy equitably and sustainably, energy efficiency will be critical. It will put people back to work, lower our utility bills, protect our health, and help fight climate change. We don’t have to choose between short-term needs and long-term goals. With smart investments in efficiency such as weatherizing low-income homes, we can address both.
We need to protect the more than 2.3 million Americans who work directly on energy efficiency, many of whom are now unemployed. We need to get them back to work once the health crisis subsides so we can continue lowering energy bills and reducing long-term greenhouse gas emissions. We also need to make our homes healthy and comfortable—something efficiency upgrades can achieve.
Here are resources on COVID-19 impacts and potential solutions.
Resources & Blog Posts
- COVID-19 Fuels Real Estate Scramble To Repurpose And Retrofit Buildings – January 19, 2021
- Halt To Progress Of Utility Efficiency Programs Could Rob New Hampshire Of Economic Boost – January 11, 2021
- IEA: COVID-19 Cut Energy Efficiency Investments, But Efficiency Plays Notable Role In Recovery Plans – December 3, 2020
- Back To School: How To Create COVID-Safe And Sustainable Learning Environments – November 19, 2020
- Canada and COVID: Great Ambition, Some Progress On An Energy-Efficient Recovery – November 18, 2020
- Reducing COVID-19 Risks in Commercial Buildings Without Wasting Energy – October 14, 2020
- Create Jobs and Protect the Climate? Analysis Shows These Investments Would Deliver. – September 2, 2020
- Utility Regulators Can Use Efficiency to Confront the COVID-19 Recession and Climate Crisis – July 30, 2020
- A Perfect Storm? COVID-19 Cuts Incomes And Hikes Home Energy Bills – May 15, 2020
- Healthy Homes for All: the Untapped Power of Energy Efficiency Programs – May 5, 2020
- What the COVID Crisis Can Teach Us on Earth Day – April 21, 2020
- COVID-19 Sparks Relief Efforts From the Efficiency Industry – April 9, 2020
- “Our Work Is Now At A Standstill”: How COVID-19 Is Taking Efficiency Workers Off The Job – March 31, 2020
- COVID-19 Is Slamming Efficiency Workforce Now And May Bring Long-Term Changes – March 26, 2020
- Home Is Where The Health Is: How To Make Your Home Energy Efficient During Social Distancing – March 25, 2020
- Energy Efficiency Employs At Least 2.4 Million Americans. Many Of Those Jobs Are Now At Risk – March 23, 2020
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