Read

Philadelphia’s failing air quality hits hardest in neighborhoods near industry and highways, where asthma rates soar (The conversation, August 5, 2026)

Philadelphia Juggles Short-Term Budget Plans and Long-Term Climate Goals (Inside Climate News, August 6, 2026)

Data centers remain a very hot topic at the intersection of land use, public health, and technology:
More Data Centers Will Mean More Fracking in Pennsylvania. These Advocates Want Better Protections. (Inside Climate News, August 1, 2026)
Coming to Some of Pennsylvania’s Most Picturesque Places: Data Centers (Inside Climate News, August 5, 2026)
Plymouth Township, Conshohocken-area residents shout, boo, as hearing for data center begins (WHYY, August 7, 2026)
How Data Centers Broke American Politics (Wired, August 4, 2026) [If you aren’t a subscriber, archive.today is your friend]

Act

PGW Public Engagement Meeting re: “Low Carbon Pathways” Plan
Wednesday, August 12 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
HERE for Climate Justice coalition. Virtual.
PGW is required to hold two public engagement meetings this year regarding their “Low Carbon Pathways” study. The stated purpose of the study is to evaluate “potential decarbonization pathways for a long-term, sustainable energy transition, while continuing to balance safety, affordability, and reliability for its customers.” It’s important that we show up now to hear the latest updates and voice our interests.

Do

Signing Ceremony: Treaty of Renewed Friendship
Wednesday, August 12 from 4 – 7 p.m.
Woodmere Art Museum, Charles Knox Smith Hall, 9201 Germantown Avenue
Meet and greet with members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, learn about the Treaty of Renewed Friendship, and enjoy Woodmere’s sculpture garden, grounds, and galleries. If you are moved to sign, join the Lenape in honoring the Delaware River and Lenapehokink.

Design in Transit: How City Subways Reveal Urban Identity
Wednesday, August 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Village of Industry & Art, 320 South Broad Street
Join author David Seltzer as he discusses how the world’s subway systems reveal the culture, history, and identity of the cities they serve.

Outdoors Online: Butterflies 101
Thursday, August 13 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Natural Lands. Webinar.
Butterflies are born from a chrysalis—essentially metamorphosed from a pile of caterpillar “goo.” Learn this and other fun facts about butterflies in this webinar, bringing the outdoors online.

Pick your own & potluck!
Friday, August 14 from 8 – 10 a.m., then 6 – 8 p.m.
Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E Cumberland St.
Pick your own produce from LandHealth’s nursery and come back later for a potluck with a dish you’ve prepared, and a chance to go on a wonder walk! Pick your own tomatoes, beans, and nasturtium greens from LandHealth’s nursery between 8-10 a.m. Then you’ll have until 6pm to prepare a dish! If you don’t make it in time for our produce, we would still love to have you attend the potluck and bring a favorite dish of your choice! Please RSVP.

The Burpee Summer Open
Saturday, August 15 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fordhook Farm, 105 New Britain Road
Fordhook Farm is a private 61-acre farm and garden established by the founder of Burpee Seed Company. For one day a year, the farm is open to the public to explore and learn.

Wild at the Lakes: Photography
Saturday, August 15 from 10 – 11 a.m.
FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Avenue; Meet at the boathouse
Join a professional photographer to learn the tips and tricks of nature photography. OR just have fun taking pictures of the park. Maybe meet some cool people. Bring your own camera. No registration needed, just show up!

Signing of Philly’s Declaration of Interdependence
Saturday, August 15 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Avenue
Enjoy a beautiful day at FDR Park for the signing of the Declaration of Interdependence. Celebrate with neighbors and friends, be a part of a community art build, and enjoy different cultural offerings! This is a family friendly event.

Plan ahead 

SWWAG: Tending to Our Gardens
Friday, August 21 from 5 – 6:30 p.m.

SWWAG Workshop – Harvesting the Healing Power: An Afro-Herbalism Workshop on Elderberries
Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Fungadelphia 2026
Saturday, August 22 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Critical AI Literacy Series at South Philadelphia Library
Saturday, September 19, 12:30pm–2:00pm — A Skeptic’s Guide to AI
Saturday, October 24, 12:30pm–2:00pm — Is This For Real? AI Scams
Saturday, November 14, 12:30pm–2:00pm — Understanding Local AI Use