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Wondering how to get more involved in Philadelphia’s sustainability, climate, and environmental justice scene? Well, friend, much like our love for the planet, the options are endless ??!

Below, we compiled a list of 10 Ways to Get Involved in Philly’s Green Scene – and maybe even land a job. (Bookmark it and share with all of your friends.)

10 Ways to Get Involved in Philly’s Green Scene

1. Attend local community events. Our community calendar is a one-stop shop for local community-run events from happy hours, to volunteer opportunities, to expert panels, and more. Many are FREE. Check for upcoming events, and add yours, too!
2. Join a professional sustainability organization. Between Net Impact, Sustainable Business Network, Green Building United, and more, there are hoards of professional organizations with events, networks, and opportunities to become involved. Find your niche and get involved.
3. Join our Green Philly events IRL. Did you know Green Philly hosts SustainPHL, an annual sustainability awards ceremony and celebration? Have you attended our family-friendly EcoFair at Cherry Street Pier, showcasing local art, sustainable businesses, and climate organizations? Join our email list to be the first to know about GP upcoming events.
4. Use social media. Follow EJ activist groups on Instagram like Philly Thrive and POWER Interfaith. Join Facebook groups like Philly Green Changemakers, People for a Sustainable Philadelphia, and Young Environmental Professionals Network to talk online. Support local news (in addition to Green Philly) like ecoWURD and WHYY.  
5. Volunteer. Find a way to give back. Annual events like Philly Spring Cleanup Day or Love Your Park provide opportunities across the city to get involved, while Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward program teaches locals how to care for our waterways. You’ll feel good and meet a few new people, too.
6. Attend a conference. Green Building United offers a symposium each May, and Wharton IGEL hosts conferences for students and professionals. Keep an eye open for a Philadelphia Regional Center for Children’s Environmental Health virtual mental health and climate summit, as well as the American Bar Association’s environmental law conference locally. 
7. Support small businesses and local foods. Whether you go to the city’s excellent farmers market or unique local boutiques, supporting small businesses helps the local economy AND has a smaller carbon footprint than shopping elsewhere or online. Here is a map to get you started!
8. Learn about ongoing environmental policy work. Citizens Climate Lobby, Conservation Voters of PA, Clean Water Action, PennEnvironment, and PA Bipartisan Climate Initiative are just a few groups that keep tabs on environmental policy at the local and state levels. Major shoutout to David E. Hess, Former PA DEP Secretary and his consistently updated list of Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events statewide. And talk about those policies with your friends and family. 
9. Contact your local representatives. Now that you’ve learned about environmental policy work, contact your government officials. Find your reps here. 
10. Become a Green Philly Member! In addition to supporting our work, becoming a member gives you access to exclusive events. Connect with like-minded people caring for the health of our city and planet. Click here for more information. 

We want to know: What other ways have YOU gotten involved locally? Tell us in the comments!

Photo: Vendors and attendees at Green Philly’s 2024 EcoFair.

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Angie Bacha (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based solutions journalist and recent Erasmus Mundus Master's in Journalism, Media and Globalisation student in Aarhus, Denmark. Previously, she worked as a student journalist at Community College of Philadelphia and Editorial Intern at Resolve Philly. Some other hats she has worn: Human Rights and Theatre Studies graduate; teaching artist; carpenter; AmeriCorps volunteer; and rock climbing gym shift supervisor. View all posts by Angie Bacha