Youth Climate Action Grant Applications Launch August 19th

Calling all Cincinnati youth ages 15-24, we want to hear your sustainability ideas! The third round of GCP Seeds of Change Youth Climate Action Grants opens August 19th and will award $1,000-$5,000 grants to youth with innovative sustainability solutions. From sustainable transportation club events to youth hackathons to upcycled fashion shows, a wide range of projects are eligible for this opportunity. Sign up for the virtual Info Session and complete the Interest Form to stay connected.

What to Know About Air Quality in Cincinnati

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has been affecting Cincinnati and creating days with poor air quality. Wondering what the forecast looks like and how to be notified of potential poor air quality? Sign up for alerts through EnviroFlash! This service is provided through a partnership with US EPA and the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency. 

You can sign up for emails or text messages, notifying you about air quality, so you don't have to go searching for it!

Nonprofits Coming Together to Go Solar, and There's Still Time to Join

OES has teamed with the City of Dayton, Solar United Neighbors, RE-volv, and Faith Communities Go Green to launch the Solarize Nonprofits program, intended to help nonprofits, public schools and institutions, and religious organizations go solar and take advantage of the federal Investment Tax Credit for clean energy projects.  

 Submit your interest ASAP - the tax credit deadline is looming! Learn more through our free educational webinar series - each webinar will have a live Q/A with experts! 

Thursday, July 29th, 12pm-1pm: The Investment Tax Credit & Elective Pay. Watch the recording. 

Wednesday, August 12th, 12pm-1pm: Solar Financing and 3rd-Party Ownership Options. Recording coming soon. 



Wednesday, August 26th, 12pm-1pm: Advanced Topics - Net Metering, SRECs, Battery Back-up, etc. Register here.

New Composting DIY Guide, now available on our website. 

Developed by OES through USDA Compost and Food Waste Reduction grants, the DIY Johnson-Su Bioreactor Guide shares lessons learned from building and equipping community leaders to manage more than 60 bioreactors at community gardens, orchards, schools, and urban agriculture sites across Cincinnati.

The guide includes step-by-step instructions, material lists, maintenance tips, and best practices for creating low-cost, low-maintenance composting systems that help divert food waste from landfills and create nutrient-rich compost. Now that the grants have ended, please lean on this new, comprehensive tool to ensure composting continues to be effective in Cincinnati!

National Attention on Climate Migration Readiness Plan

This recent NYT article highlights the City's resilience efforts and Climate Migration Readiness Plan, an innovative strategy that prepares Cincinnati for the possibility of population growth as climate change influences where people choose to live.  

The plan acknowledges the climate challenges our region continues to experience, including severe storms resulting in flooding and sewer backups, poor air quality from traveling wildfire smoke, and extreme heat. The plan outlines proactive investments in housing, public transportation, the energy grid, stormwater management, and social infrastructure, which are all necessary for making our city more resilient.  

Developed with support from numerous community and research partners, the Plan positions Cincinnati to thoughtfully welcome future residents while strengthening the city's resilience and quality of life for everyone. 

 300 New Recycling Corner Cans Across Cincinnati

Many Cincinnati neighborhoods have long lacked the public recycling containers that are typically paired with the City's metal corner trash cans in high-pedestrian areas. That gap is now beginning to close. As part of the Green Cincinnati Plan's commitment to expanding recycling accessibility and increasing waste diversion, we’ve installed or replaced 300 public recycling corner cans in business districts throughout the city.

The impact is already clear. Since expanding the public recycling network, Cincinnati has more than doubled the amount of material diverted through this program, from an average of approximately 3 tons per month to more than 7 tons per month today. By making recycling more accessible where residents and visitors live, work, and gather, Cincinnati is reducing waste, increasing diversion, and taking another step toward a cleaner, more sustainable city.

Climate Safe Neighborhoods Resilience Summit upcoming later this month

Calling all residents that have participated in Climate Safe Neighborhoods programming and/or live in the neighborhoods of Avondale, Bond Hill, English Woods, Lower Price Hill, Millvale, North Fairmount, Roselawn, South Cumminsville, or South Fairmount. Do you want to come together with neighbors to learn more about green progress in your neighborhood and possibilities to create change in the future? If so, please RSVP and join Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Green Umbrella, and OES for an evening of networking, success stories, and opportunities to keep the momentum growing to build even more sustainable, equitable, and resilient neighborhoods.

The event will take place August 26th 5:30-7:30 PM at The Sanctuary in Lower Price Hill (2110 St Michael St, Cincinnati, OH 45204). RSVP here.

WarmUp Cincy Continues to Support Energy Efficiency Upgrades

With hot temperatures and high utility bills in the summertime, energy efficiency upgrades offer long-term savings for residents. This is why the WarmUp Cincy Programs support building upgrades for low-income multifamily properties across Cincinnati. So far, 791 low-income families have been supported and the number continues to grow each month. 

The Multifamily Energy Efficiency Capital Upgrades Program has resulted in a number of residents in Over-The-Rhine Community Housing buildings receiving important insulation and air sealing upgrades that improve comfort, conserve energy, and help save on energy bills, with some properties also receiving HVAC and ductwork upgrades.  

The Renter and Landlord Energy Efficiency Engagement Program administered by partner Strategies to End Homelessness, continues to provide utility bill payment support to residents exiting homelessness and upgrade incentives for property owners of affordable rental units, to provide longer term savings for tenants. 

Need a refresher on energy saving tips and how to get started with your own energy upgrades? Check out the many resources on the OES website. 

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