On September 21, Climate Action Rhode Island (CARI), Green Energy Consumers Alliance, and Citizens Climate Lobby Rhode Island participated in Sun Day, a groundbreaking nationwide mobilization that marked a pivotal moment in America’s clean energy transformation. This nationwide event featured over 450 events across all 50 states, creating a powerful, coordinated day of action to spotlight the most significant energy revolution of our time.
“For decades we’ve called this stuff ‘alternative energy.’ We want to drive home the point that that’s not true any more–this is the straightforward, common-sense, obvious way to power our future, the cheapest way to drive down electric prices, the easiest way to build a working America,” said Bill McKibben, the driving force behind Sun Day and a pioneering voice in the climate movement. McKibben, co-founder of 350.org and a leading environmental author, has been instrumental in bringing global attention to climate change and the potential of renewable energy.
As part of this national movement, Sun Day Rhode Island transformed The Steel Yard in Providence into a family-friendly clean energy festival. Our event demonstrated that clean energy isn’t a faroff dream, but is instead an immediate, practical solution to our current energy challenges that will bring down costs and improve reliability.
Key highlights of Sun Day Rhode Island included:
- A clean energy showcase with electric vehicles, solar panels, and electric lawn equipment.
- Kid Wind interactive turbine activities
- Art activities including a community clean energy future mural
- Opportunities to talk with heat pump and solar experts, clean energy advocates, and state clean energy incentive program administrators.
- A short speaking program at 2 p.m. featuring climate advocates and Rhode Island legislators.
- Brief welcoming remarks from the host organizations
- Howie Sneider, Executive Director, The Steel Yard
- Brett P. Smiley, Mayor of Providence, RI
- Brandon Potter, Rhode Island House Representative, District 16 (sponsor of Bill H5580)
- Abel Collins, Energy Consultant, Sol Power; former South Kingstown Town Councilor
- Emily Koo, Senior Policy Advocate & Rhode Island Program Director, Acadia Center
Introducing Bill H5580
“Sun Day celebrates the miracle of solar and wind power – our ability to harness the earth’s natural forces to power our lives and our economy. Solar and wind power are now the most inexpensive sources of clean, reliable electricity. Our event, which is one of thousands across the country, brings joy and celebration to the work we do, which can so often be about bad news. By celebrating successes and possibilities together, and providing opportunities for learning and collaborating, we can build the resilient communities this moment calls for.” says Jeff Migneault, Executive Director of Climate Action Rhode Island
The event is part of a larger national movement demonstrating that clean energy technologies are affordable, reliable, and ready to deploy at scale. According to Sun Day organizers, the United States added 50 gigawatts of solar power to the grid in 2024 – the most any energy source has added in two decades – enough to power 8.5 million homes.
Watch a video recap of Sun Day Rhode Island here!
————
About Climate Action Rhode Island: Climate Action Rhode Island (CARI) is a grassroots non-profit organization and an affiliate of 350.org working to build the climate movement in Rhode Island. We empower everyday people to push for climate solutions and meaningful action on the local, state, and national levels.
About Green Energy Consumers Alliance: Green Energy Consumers Alliance is a non-profit based in Providence, RI and Boston, MA with a mission to empower consumers and communities to speed a just transition to a zero-carbon world.
About Citizens Climate Lobby: The Rhode Island chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby is a bipartisan group lobbying for climate action at the state and national level. RI CCL works to influence change that will create a sustainable future for all.
About Sun Day: Sun Day is a national day of action on September 21, 2025, mobilizing communities across the United States to celebrate and demand large-scale deployment of clean energy. Organized by a broad coalition of clean energy workers, advocates, scientists, and community leaders, the event focuses on the abundance of existing clean power solutions.