Noah coordinated a trip to Santiago, Chile to evaluate how NRDC could contribute to the international debate about opposing the development of large-scale hydro in Patagonia and support of lower impact renewable sources, efficiency and demand side management.  He and Jacob Scherr, Director of NRDC’s International Program, met with Chilean NGOs, government officials, Senators and the Minister of Energy.  The result of the trip is that NRDC is beginning a major new campaign in Chile—working with local groups and the government to create a serious evaluation government energy policy and clean energy alternatives.  If successful, the campaign will prevent a European energy company from using the legal rights it established during a dictatorship to destroy some of Chile’s most precious wilderness areas.  The campaign also seeks to lay the groundwork for energy planning that emphasizes efficiency and clean energy production.  For articles (in Spanish) on the trip, click here.

In preparing for the meetings in Chile, and helping develop NRDC/s strategy, Noah was able to work with both technical experts, to understand the current energy situation in Chile, as well as politicians and NGOs, to understand the current political situation.  Both are important to help Chile choose an energy future that is sustainable.  In October, Noah returned to Chile for NRDC to continue work on this campaign, meeting with more energy policy officials and national media as well as attending a forum on Chile’s energy future with California energy expert John Wilson.

In the Climate Center Noah worked on a number of projects both legal and climate policy focused. This included helping with a brief on CAFE (Noah is still working on this case in his capacity at the Stanford Environmental Law Clinic).  The policy work he contributed to included updating a report on how voluntary efforts to reduce GHG emissions are not working, and penning an op-ed and factsheet for NRDC on the failure of voluntary action.

“This is exactly the kind of work I want to do with my life and could not be happier that the fellowship led to this opportunity.  I believe the work we are doing is crucial for the future of our planet.”

-Noah Long

“We have limited resources, especially staff time. A fellow can step and work on projects that otherwise might not get accomplished or provide important back-up support. They are especially valuable as they lend a high level of technical and analytical skills to our work.”

- Antonia Herzog, Climate Legislative Advocate
- Ari Hershowitz, Director, BioGems Project, Latin America