Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

ASES acknowledges the systemic injustice that impacts Black and indigenous people and other people of color as we work together to ensure that our transition to a 100% renewable energy future is equitable, inclusive, and just.

ASES convened a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Task Force in October 2020 to enact this commitment and advance these values more broadly in the organization.

Our Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI)

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) recognizes the harmful effects of racism, sexism, ageism, and classism – including but not limited to implicit and unconscious bias – on individuals and society. ASES stands steadfastly with individuals and communities around the world who have been victims of discrimination and injustice. This is especially significant given our stated goal of achieving equitable access and transformation to a global society powered by renewable energy. 

Acknowledging the roles that racism and other forms of discrimination and exclusion have played in society, we believe that diversity and inclusion must be intentionally addressed before justice and equity can ever be achieved. We must also continue to further our learning and understanding of the root causes of all forms of discrimination and its harmful effects to mitigate inequity.

We believe it is critical to turn this commitment into action. We have started with investigating and resolving potential inequities within our own organization and in the clean energy sector. We believe that promoting and increasing opportunity to clean energy access is a key part of the solution toward transformation. ASES is committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in all areas of our leadership, staff, membership, and activities, as well as in renewable energy and sustainability. A key part of our commitment is creating opportunities through ASES activities for communities of underrepresented groups in intentional ways. ASES maintains a JEDI task force open to all members to ensure that ASES activities follow the commitment set forth for a more equitable society and clean energy for everyone.

To implement our stated mission of accelerating equitable solar adoption, ASES strives to incorporate the psychological and societal benefits of JEDI concepts. ASES also works to incorporate the most effective ways to foster these outcomes to advance a more just and equitable world.

JEDI Resources
ASES has a long history of social responsibility with promoting equitable clean energy in communities through projects, awards, scholarships, publications, meetings, and other society activities. We work directly with our community to enhance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Some of our key JEDI focus areas include:

– Cultural Diversity
– Implicit Bias
– LGBTQ+ Issues
– Racism and Discrimination
– Sexism and Gender Inequality
– Ageism
– Classism
– Workforce Diversity
– Education
– Physical Disabilities
– Political Diversity
– Regional Diversity

Public Policy and Outreach:
ASES plays a pivotal role in enabling the renewable energy industry, workforce, and end-users, keeping energy justice at the forefront. ASES broadly promotes emerging energy technologies, social and environmental benefits, best practices, and industry professionals. ASES initiatives include:
– Solar adoption policy issue analysis (e.g., net metering)
– Clean energy-related webinars and conferences online and offline
Chapters and Technical Divisions meetings and events

Journals and Published Papers:
ASES publishes innovative research, policies, and studies across all areas of the renewable energy sector. We promote the integration of scientific perspectives and policies within a social and environmental context. ASES also publishes relevant clean energy articles in our flagship publication Solar Today magazine and in newsletters such as Solar@Work.

ASES Programs:
ASES programs, including the National Solar Conference, National Solar Tour, Tiny Watts, Zero Emissions Network, Intern Program, and Online Community, enable a wide array of diverse voices from across the clean energy community. Our website includes our current program information, where there is a direct emphasis on energy justice, policy impacts, and global sustainability. ASES programs facilitate diversity and inclusion through our events, scholarships, mentoring, and more.

Awards and Recognitions:
Our annual awards recognize renewable energy scientists and professionals for outstanding contributions at all career stages. Nominators and awards committees are asked to consider the diverse and international nature of our field. ASES always seeks nominations of members of underrepresented groups in topics relevant to society, such as the Women in Solar Energy and Yellot Student Scholarship Awards. ASES supports the principle that awards should include factors of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Grants, Scholarships, and Other Support:
ASES provides different forms of support for students and members through meetings, publications, education, projects, internships, scholarships, and mentorships. All of these support programs are founded on the goal of increasing opportunities for building a diverse and equitable community. Funding criteria include a commitment for the inclusion of clean energy professionals and students of all genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, nationalities, political views, geographical locations, and disciplinary expertise.

Use the following links to learn more about what a just transition is:

ASES Land Acknowledgment Statement

The ASES office, located in Boulder, Colorado, is on the traditional and contemporary homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute and other Native peoples, who have been scientists and stewards in relationship with this land for many generations.

In Arapaho Language: Nuhu’ ASES neniisi3eino’oowuuwunoo, heentou’ heetbii3oonoo’, heetko’einoo’. Nuhu’ biito’owu’ heetooni’, heetee nuhu’ hinono’eino’, hitesiino’ noh woo’teenehi3i’ heenoo nih’eentoo3i’, noh ci’ hoo3oo’uu heeteineniteeno’. Nenee3i’ beebei’on 3eboosei3iihi’ nihcihkokoh’outii3i’, nihi’iine’etii3i’, noh nihcih’ononitii3i’ nuhu’ biito’owu’.

Retranslated back to English:
This ASES, our working lodge, it is located where it is steep (Boulder), where there is a circle (Colorado). This land where we are located, in former times the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute customarily were located here, and also other indigenous peoples. They were the ones who, since way back in the past and down through time, investigated, lived by means of, and protected this land.

Solar Today Articles Related to JEDI Initiatives

Seven Ways to Make Clean Energy Initiatives More Equitable, by Mansie Hough, Lacey Shaver and Zach Greene

Solstice Asks: What’s Holding Customers Back?, by Jill Cliburn

Partner up for Community Solar, by Jill Cliburn

Solar Empowers Rural Afghanistan, by Robert Foster

CCSA Builds Community Solar Success through Collaboration, by Jill Cliburn

Caribbean Electrical Bills Are Increasing; The Sun Can Lower Them, by David Gumbs and James Fletcher

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