BY ROSSI SEALEY
350Brooklyn, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization, hosted their very own “Sun Day” on Sunday, September 21 at Christ Church in Cobble Hill, as a day of action to promote clean and renewable energy.
This event aimed to offer access to affordable solar resources, and provided insights by a panel of experts from both private and community solar programs in Brooklyn, spreading awareness about the current climate crisis at a time when the Trump administration is attempting to walk back renewable energy.
The administration has been taking a step back from the change in direction towards renewable energy. In January 2025, Trump issued several executive orders to promote fossil fuels and called for a review and revision of all agency actions that might “burden” the development of domestic energy resources, by which he meant oil, coal, and nuclear energy resources. Trump has withdrawn the U.S from the Paris Climate agreement, which calls for climate change adaptation and development internationally. Trump has also cut funding on climate research. Also, the Big Beautiful Bill includes restrictions on renewable energy tax credits creating deadlines for solar and wind projects.
States like California, environmental activists, and groups have filed multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration to combat this usage of fossil fuels and set backs to renewable energy.
“We are living through a very dark time politically, and one of the rays of hope is in solar and wind energy,” said Ellen Driscoll, a 350BKvolunteer, Brooklyn-based artist and retired college professor with a 37-year background in teaching environmental and art classes.
Professor Michael Menser, former director of Brooklyn College’s Urban Sustainability Program, and a moderator during the event, explained that Brooklyn College can install more solar energy systems and assist the community thanks to the New York State’s Building Public Renewables Act and green bond funding available for renewable energy projects at universities and colleges, like City University of New York.
“CUNY can also be a site not just for renewable energy project installation that serves our own energy needs, but can also be of service to the community, just like other public facilities that have solar,” said Menser.
Addressing implementation
Panelist Roy Garzon, residential program manager at Solar One, a nonprofit promoting sustainability, expressed worry that predatory practices by some renewable energy installers are leaving consumers vulnerable to costly installations and unaware of what to look out for. “We have the means to help you in terms of providing technical assistance free of charge, and that’s to advocate for you to make sure you’re getting the lowest price and avoiding these predatory practices.”
Affordability was another issue. Organizers spoke to ways to ensure that low-income families can take part in the shift to renewable energy.
“In Brooklyn, a lot of us are renters and can’t make those kinds of decisions,” said Susan Augenbraun, 350BK volunteer. “But even folks who can may think they can’t afford it, and it turns out there are a lot of ways to make it affordable and great companies that are already working on that in the community.”
“The fact that solar has dropped in price dramatically in the last couple of years means that it is very hopeful for us all,” said Sara Gronim, Co-leader of 350BK.
350BK was founded in 2015 by a group of women motivated by their passion to create positive change for the earth’s future after organizing the 2014 NYC Climate March.
The organization tackles the climate crisis through local action, providing opportunities to reduce climate pollution, create employment opportunities for individuals who wish to participate, including families and children and educate people in renewable energy use as an alternative to fossil fuels.
“These renewable forms of energy are our future here and our future is here now,” said Driscoll.