Our Work

We prioritize human-centered design through iterative engagement with and feedback from communities. Rather than imposing external solutions, we engage as participant observers alongside community members, co-creating programming that addresses community-identified needs while simultaneously answering critical research questions about energy literacy and equitable transitions.

Through key informant discussions, on-site event participation, and sustained relationship-building, we identify community assets and priorities before designing interventions. This approach does more than respect community wisdom—it actively lowers trust and communication barriers that typically exclude marginalized voices from research and policy development, ultimately magnifying the reach and effectiveness of energy literacy efforts.

Current national energy data, such as the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), provides valuable baseline information but uses sample sizes too small to capture the specific realities of socioeconomically disadvantaged households. Research shows energy use can differ 25-60% between lower and higher-income households—variations that generalized datasets often obscure.

We develop residential energy data collection systems specifically designed to capture high-resolution, granular information that reflects the diverse energy experiences of marginalized communities. This premium data doesn't just document energy use—it reveals patterns of energy inequity that traditional metrics miss, including households that don't pay utility bills directly, renters without control over energy efficiency decisions, and communities experiencing energy disadvantage beyond what existing thresholds identify.

Traditional energy metrics often fail to capture the full scope of energy inequity. Energy burden (spending over 6% of income on utilities) captures many low-income households but also high-income households with large homes and all-electric appliances. Energy Use Intensity (EUI) shows lower-income households have higher rates but doesn't account for renters' lack of control over building efficiency.

We develop comprehensive metrics incorporating energy needs as described directly by communities and examining non-economic factors to bring holistic understanding to energy inequity. These metrics inform energy system designs optimized to address the specific factors that—when left unaddressed—perpetuate energy inequality.

We treat food security not as an ancillary concern but as foundational to energy justice. Healthy, well-rounded diets are necessary for individuals to participate fully in civic life, including engaging with energy decision-makers. Our community gardens serve as direct teaching mechanisms where participants simultaneously learn energy cycles, develop food sovereignty skills, and build capacity to advocate for their own energy and nutrition needs.

By integrating garden-to-table programming with energy literacy education, we create holistic solutions addressing systemic disparities in both energy consumption and food access, empowering every household to achieve sustainable and affordable energy use alongside nutritious food systems.