Four Richardson students (Claire Colegrove ’17, Arielle Kramer ’17, Rachel James ’18, and Sean Aronson ’17) recently travelled to Japan to attend the inaugural World Community Power Conference (WCPC2016) in Fukushima, Japan. The trip was made possible with the support of The Energy Justice Program (EJP) and its Director, Associate Professor Shalanda H. Baker. Baker, along with Emillia Noordhoek, Executive Director of Sustainable Molokai, gave a joint presentation focused on Molokai’s energy landscape and community energy development. The presentation, given during the Best Practices for 100% Renewable Energy Regions and Islands Session, drew on the research of Energy Justice Working Group members, Claire Colegrove, Sean Aronson, and James Strange, conducted during the Energy Justice Workshop in the Spring semester of 2016..

More than 600 people from 30 countries participated in the WCPC2016. The conference was held in Fukushima to highlight the resilience the region has shown since the 2011 earthquake causing nuclear reactor damage and radiation leakage. Presentations included community energy projects from places spanning the globe – including Lesotho, Mali, Germany, Australia, Egypt and Japan. Strategic partnerships between countries and across public and private sectors were highlighted throughout the conference as well.

The WCPC2016 consisted of high-level panel discussions, networking opportunities and renewable energy site visits. The Energy Justice Program Fellows visited a geothermal power plant and a hydroelectric plant in a rural community that was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. In response, the community decided to invest in renewable energy generation to bolster their redevelopment efforts and to positively contribute to the power network in their region.

This convening of community organizers, energy professionals, government officials and other community power partners led to wide-ranging discussions, and illuminated the pressing need for local communities to engage in the their future energy resources.

Out of this fruitful exchange, The WCPC2016 conference produced the Fukushima Community Power Declaration.

The Energy Justice Program continues to engage change makers both within our communities locally and with communities around the world. Please stay tuned for more updates on local and global community power efforts.