This coverage is made possible through a partnership between Grist and WBEZ, a public radio station serving the Chicago metropolitan region.
Reverend Brian Sauder had good news in January for 58 faith-based organizations across the Midwest. His Chicago environmental nonprofit, Faith in Place. would be giving each of them a grant to fund tree planting in low-income communities and create urban forestry jobs to maintain them. Those additional trees would help mitigate the effects of climate change and air pollution.
But the good news didnโt last long.
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed his โUnleashing American Energyโ executive order, which abruptly froze the distribution of funds from the Biden administrationโs sweeping climate bill, the Inflation Reduction Act. The move has left critical initiatives in limbo, including urban and community forestry programs like Sauderโs Faith in Place.
โTo have to call up those grant awardees and say t... Read more
