In Washington, Rollbacks.
On Rooftops, Revolutions.

The clean energy story is unfolding on two fronts. In the U.S., the Trump administration has rolled back support for wind and solar — pausing projects, ending subsidies, raising costs, and even canceling developments already underway (see timeline →). But globally, the momentum is undeniable: Renewable energy investment hit a record $386 billion in the first half of 2025, with Europe, Asia, and Africa racing ahead on rooftop solar, offshore wind, and batteries (read more →).

Against this backdrop, longtime climate leader Bill McKibben argues that we still have one powerful tool at hand: the sun. His latest work calls for a rooftop solar renaissance — and a coalition big enough to make it real. On September 21st, that call becomes action with Sun Day, a global day of parades, clean energy showcases, and rallies to light the way toward a brighter future.

In this issue: why solar is our brightest hope, how it’s rising worldwide, and ways to join in on Sun Day.

Sun drawings from the SunDay community, courtesy of SunDay. Credits (left to right): Anonymous; Vano / Georgia / Graphic Designer; Emily / teacher

Stories, Voices & Perspectives

Bill McKibben: Back to the Wall, Face to the Sun
McKibben argues that amid record-breaking heat, the plummeting cost of solar gives us a fleeting chance to transform our world — if we all step up.
Watch now →

More from McKibben:

• A Modest Proposal (The Crucial Years – August 2025): McKibben imagines a world flooded with cheap solar panels — electrifying communities, displacing fossil fuels, and transforming energy for generations.
• Where does the climate movement go from here? (Heated podcast – July 2025): McKibben lays out how a rooftop solar renaissance could help counter Trump’s climate rollbacks and weaken Big Oil’s grip.
• Why We Actually Need Everyone in the Climate Struggle (Bioneers – 2021): McKibben calls on older generations to stand with youth and frontline communities.

After America: Asia’s Rooftop Revolution (Climate & Capital)
As Danny Kennedy reports, Asia — home to half the world’s population — is leaping ahead in rooftop solar and clean energy independence. From Pakistan’s rapid solar boom to Australia’s grid breakthroughs, the region is proving how fast a transition can take hold when the politics align with the technology.
Read now →

More Global Perspectives:

• Europe’s Solar Milestone (Ember – July 2025): In 2025, solar became the EU’s largest power source, surpassing 22% and pushing coal to record lows.
• The Global South’s Cleantech Revolution (RMI – February 2025): Global South nations are outpacing the Global North in solar and wind growth, showing that clean energy is the fastest and cheapest path to development.

What You Can Do

On September 21, communities around the world will take to the streets, rooftops, and public squares to show that the clean energy future is already here. From e-bike parades to solar installations, heat pump tours to rallies for stronger laws, Sun Day is about celebrating progress and demanding more.

Learn more about the vision behind Sun Day in our conversation with Third Act strategist Deborah Moore.

Here’s how you can be a part of Sun Day:

• Join an Event: Find a Sun Day celebration near you and stand up for clean energy in your community.
  
• Organize an Event: Host a Sun Day action big or small — every gathering helps build momentum.
  
• Donate: Chip in to help Sun Day’s organizers create art, register events, and spread the word about clean energy.
  
• Sign Your Sun: Add your own sun drawing to the global gallery — a symbol of hope and the power we already have.

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Bioneers Learning Course Spotlight — From Reactivity to Resilience: Responsive Leadership and Fractals of Healing

How can we move from stress and reactivity into grounded, authentic leadership? In this six-week live course, therapist and educator Pamela Rosin, MFT offers practical tools for nervous system regulation, unwinding limiting patterns, and cultivating resilience that ripples through our lives and communities.

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