WELCOME!


Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition is THE local organization in the Roanoke Valley that is tackling energy policy and the difficult problem of global warming through education, outreach, and community actions. 

We know that to slow and ultimately halt global warming, action is needed at every level, from international to personal.  Our goal is to encourage the citizens, businesses, organizations, and governments in our community to understand what they can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to get started with the challenge ahead.

We're not just talking about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we're actually DOING something about it.  Be sure to check out our CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb) Program link above!

Making smart energy choices has many benefits beyond the fight to curb global warming.  Better air quality (both visually and from a human health standpoint), reduction in mountain top removal coal mining, a more secure energy future for our nation, and lowering our overall energy costs are some of these benefits.

The navigation bar above will guide you to all the details about our organization and programs, including how YOU can get involved to help in this urgent campaign.  Thanks for your support and interest!!!



RVCCC on Facebook 

Cool Cities Coalition Headlines
(click the links below for full stories and pictures):

SAVE THE DATE!!!! - Cool Cities' All Affiliates Conference will be MARCH 26, 2010 - Following a continental breakfast buffet at 7:30 AM, the conference will run from 8:00-10:00AM starting with an update on our progress during the past year and our strategies for 2010 by Board Chair Diana Christopulos.  A highlight of the conference will be the presentation of our annual Cool Citizen Awards.  The conference will be the at the beautiful LEED Gold Claude Moore Education Complex, (across from the Roanoke Higher Education Center).  FREE to Cool Cities affiliates, but you must pre-register: CLICK HERE

January 15, 2010 - KILL-A-WATT meters available to community through lending program sponsored by Cool Cities.  These meters were made available for this program by Direct Connect Solar and Electric, David Zachow, owner.  CLICK HERE for program details, or click the "Kill a Watt Program" link in the top menu.

January 2010 - Cool Cities names new directors, Jeremy Holmes and Chad Braby.  We welcome these new additions to our board!  Both have already been very active and supportive of our work for several years.  For a complete list of our board members, click the "Contact Us" link above.

November 6-7, 2009 - Cool Cities was front and center at the 20th Annual Green Living and Energy Expo - Directors Mary Bishop and Mark McClain were deeply involved in this best ever Energy Expo.  Mary managed our booth where we gave away 400 CFL's over the two-day event.  Mark served on the event planning committee and managed the presentations area.

October 24 , 2009 - Cool Cities sponsors Climate Rally in collaboration with 350.org - Click HERE to view the great picture of the 150+ attendees forming a giant "350" to emphasize the need to reduce CO2 in our atmosphere to 350 ppm.

September, 2009 - Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition featured in Fall 2009 Salem City magazine "The Green Effect" - CLICK HERE to view the article.

September, 2009 - Radford University joins Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition.  We are pleased to announce that Radford University, which launched a major sustainability campaign in 2008, has become a Cool Cities affiliate.  For all the details on their campus initiatives, visit their web site at http://rugreen.radford.edu/index.html 

July 2, 2009 - Chamber CEO Joyce Waugh and Cool Cities Board Chair Diana Christopulos announce COOL GREEN BIZ program at press conference with Governor Kaine, who praise several Roanoke initiatives for the environment.  For details of the program visit: CLICK HERE.  For pictures of the press conference, visit our FACEBOOK page (button above).

June, 2009 - RECIPES for a LOW CARBON DIET is theme of new resources page on COOL CITIES web site - We are focused like a laser beam on the best ways for people and businesses in our community to reduce their carbon footprint.  Get all the details HERE or click the "Recipes for a Low Carbon Diet" link in the navigation banner, above.

June, 2009 - COOL CITIES embarks on major initiatives to promote GREEN business practices - Click the new "Green Business" link above or HERE to visit our new Green Business page, which has details of our collaboration with Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and other green business initiatives.

May 16, 2009 - COOL CITIES NAME AWARD WINNERS at annual conference.  For the entire story about all the award winners, CLICK HERE

April 18, 2009 - Cool Cities' Diana Christopulos is honored at Earth Day Celebration, kicking off a day of festivities, education, music & fun. DETAILS

April 15, 2009 - Wendy Mellenthin has been elected to the Board of Directors of Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition.  Ms. Mellenthin recently retired as CEO of Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, a position she had held since 1999.  She replaces Rupert Cutler, who has resigned from the Cool Cities Board to devote his efforts to his new position on Roanoke City Council.

March 2009 - Cool Cities braves the COLD and WET St. Patrick's Day celebration - parade entry gets mention in Roanoke Times: CLICK HERE FOR ROANOKE TIMES STORY - be sure to check out the photo gallery #4 & #14!

February 2009 - Roanoke County sets aggressive goals for GHG reduction, recognizes Cool Cities and affiliates - DETAILS

February 2009 - Cool Cities convenes Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference in Washington, DC - DETAILS

January 2009 - Diana Christopulos is featured speaker at MLK Youth Day Program - DETAILS

December 2008 - Cool Cities Director named Business Person of the Year by Blue Ridge Business Journal - DETAILS

December 2008 - Cool Cities architect breaks ground
with city leaders on LEED Salem Museum expansion - DETAILS

November 2008 - Cool Cities Leaders are behind Roanoke's Clean and Green Business Coalition - DETAILS

May 2008 - "Going on a Low Carbon Diet" - Conference for Cool Cities Affiliates and local leaders - DETAILS

March 2008 - Cool Cities in Roanoke's St. Patrick's Day Parade - DETAILS

February 2008 - RVCCC Annual Report for 2007:
PowerPoint Slide Show - PDF Version   

 September 2007 - Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference features presentations by Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition - DETAILS

 February-March 2007 - Cool Cities joins other groups in sponsoring film festival at Hollins "Putting Chill on Global Warming" - DETAILS