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On average, households nationally pay about 4.1% of their income on energy (gas and electricity) bills. As of 2019, Gainesville’s average energy burden is 4.5% in 2019, .4% higher than the national average.
However, the energy burden is not distributed evenly across neighborhoods. When energy burden is mapped across the city, data shows that it disproportionately impacts residents in the Northern and Central portions of the city.
Charlotte is currently the 12th most energy burdened city out of the Climate Challenge cities. Across the city, Charlotte's average energy burden is 3.9% as of 2019, 1.08 times the national average. When energy burden is mapped across the city by neighborhood, the data shows that energy burden disproportionately impacts residents in the northern inner portions of the city.
Seattle is currently the 23rd most energy burdened city out of the Climate Challenge cities. Across the city, Seattle’s average energy burden is 2.6% as of 2019, 0.7 times the national average. When energy burden is mapped across the city by neighborhood, the data shows that energy burden disproportionately impacts residents throughout scattered portions of the city.
Community of Practice Workshops
The Community of Practice came to a natural close in 2025, though its legacy lives on through an archive of past sessions and a vibrant network of changemakers.
For years, this space brought together community-based leaders and city staff using the GEM platform — all committed to exploring how data and mapping can advance climate equity and environmental justice.
Each month, participants gathered to learn, share resources, and build relationships, fostering collaboration between the communities most harmed by climate change and local governments working towards equitable climate and energy solutions.
While the regular gatherings have ended, the connections, momentum, and shared purpose continue. We invite you to stay connected. Watch past recordings, explore our GEM Process Guide (below), and continue asking questions, sharing insights, and building together. And don’t hesitate reaching out to us.
We are never alone in this work.
Warmly,
Greenlink Analytics Community Team
Join the Conversation: Climate Action & Sustainable Development Plans
May 30, 2024
Dawn Oleksy, Energy Program Manager, Office of Sustainability, City of Richmond, VA
Angelica Chavez Duckworth, Greenlink Analytics
Samantha Houck, Greenlink Analytics
Let’s talk about climate action and sustainable development plans! Many cities and communities are in the process of developing and implementing plans to reduce carbon emissions while centering equity throughout the process. It’s not easy or simple work, but you are not alone. That’s why we handed YOU the microphone! It’s a meeting of the minds to share successes and challenges, and ask each other questions.
This workshop follows up on April’s Community of Practice about Richmond’s Climate Equity Action Plan, which featured Dawn Oleksy and Matt Cox. They discussed the importance of trust building, prioritizing community voices, and how good data helps demonstrate how climate plans can address community needs.
Angelica Chavez- Duckworth, Director of Community Initiatives, and Samantha Houck, Community Program Manager, will lead this follow-up discussion. The workshop will host break out rooms to enable smaller group discussions, followed by a short debrief afterwards. Here are some of the questions we’ll be discussing:
How far along are you in your climate or sustainable development action planning?
Which parts of the plan are proving to be effective?
Which parts are challenging, troublesome or not going according to plan?
Does your state currently have policies and infrastructure in place to support the plan? If so, what are these? Are there possible changes on the horizon that could impact the work?
Have you engaged with local government officials, community based organizations, or communities during the process?
What data or resources have supported the work?
A Case Study of Richmond’s Climate Equity Action Plan
April 18, 2024
Dawn Oleksy, Energy Program Manager, Office of Sustainability, City of Richmond, VA
Matt Cox, PhD, CEO and Founder, Greenlink Analytics
Join Greenlink for a webinar on the development of City of #Richmond’s, “RVAgreen 2050: Climate Equity Action Plan 2030,” a roadmap for eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and helping the community adapt to climate change. The session is led by Dawn Oleksy, Energy Program Manager for Richmond’s Office of Sustainability, and Greenlink Analytics’ CEO Matt Cox.
Our speakers touch on many aspects of making Richmond’s Plan, including the procedures, relationship building with community and organizations, and data tools for accurate baselines and energy projections. The webinar is a good fit for any organization or city that’s in the process of creating their own climate or sustainability plan.
There will be a follow up workshop in May 2024 to network and dive deeper into the topic.
Workshopping Strategies for Community-City Collaboration
March 21, 2024
Angelica Chavez Duckworth, Greenlink Analytics
Sharanya Madhavan, Greenlink Analytics
Samantha Houck, Greenlink Analytics
Join Greenlink for a workshop on building Collaboration between cities and Communities.
Cities across the United States have expressed the need for Data-Driven Equity insights to inform Climate and Sustainability strategies. Governments are requiring the inclusion of Community Engagement in the development of new programs and policies. Master facilitator and Founder of Facilitating Power Rosa González, lead the development of Greenlink’s Process Guide for City-Community Collaboration as a step-by-step handbook to help ensure just outcomes.
Join the session to strategize and experiment with Greenlink’s Community Team, using Process Guide activities to advance more data-backed, equity-driven procedures that impact climate change and social, environmental, and economic inequalities in your neighborhood.