Submitted by Roseann Lorefice, CCAA Newsletter Editor
Climate Change Awareness and Action was founded in 2015 by a dedicated group of local environmentalists. It was formed for the purpose of educating others and actively working towards reversing the human caused climate disruption that threatens the earth. We announced our missionto reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere through individual and community education and action while supporting fair and just public policies and legislation. We are a local 350.org group, centered in Syracuse, New York.
As with any group, membership is important. Although we count 1600 individuals on our newsletter mailing list, our active membership is much more limited. And so recently, with the goal of refocusing to see how we can increase our numbers, our board met with facilitator Sara Bollinger to see more clearly what we have been doing, what we can be doing more and how we can better reach out to central New York.
Sara helped us to see things more clearly. We examined what we have done in the past eight years. We noted what events we sponsored and co-sponsored that made a positive impact. We realized that our name –awareness and action—has two means of continuing our work. And although we are successful in disseminating lots of useful environmental action, we need to emphasize more the idea of action, working with other groups and initiating events ourselves to engage more folks. And finally, we became aware of the positive influence of what we had already done and committed ourselves to continuing in this vein.
And so, our mission continues. Our outreach continues and expands and we commit to highlighting the major efforts we undertake. Please join us in this endeavor.
The CCAA Scorecard
Successful Initiatives Since Our Founding In 2015
2023: Participated in Sustainability Night at Liverpool Library
2023: Participated in Solar Butterfly Tour in Syracuse
2023; Participated in Youth Climate Summit at ESF
2023: Participated in Party for the Planet at Rosamond Gifford Zoo
2023: C0-sponsor of Earth Fest, Fayetteville, NY
2023: Participated in Earth Day in Pompey, NY
2022: Received the GreeningUSA Award for contributions to climateactivities
2021: Lobbied the Town of Manlius in support of solar installations on landfills and encouraged the support of this by local students
2020 and 2019: ConductedCandidate Climate Surveys
2020: Participated in CNY Earth Fest activities
2020: Participated in the National Solar Tour
2019: Joined with the Sierra Club in working with the Town of Dewitt to pledge 100% renewable energy, electric by 2020, all sectors by 2035
2019: Sponsored a Youth Climate Activity Workshop at the Art Rage Gallery
2018: Sponsored “Make America Magnifique Again” to highlight French contributions to climate change awareness and action
2018: Participated in the Rise for Climate Rally
2017: Participated in the Explore Our Energy Tour
2017: Organized the People’s Climate March
2015: Organized “A Sea Change” film screening and discussion
Developed a website to direct people to climate actions
Provide a monthly newsletter to disseminate climate information and provoke discussion of climate topics
Initiated a Carbon Challenge to help mitigate climate change, one person at a time
Members contributed many Letters to the Editor and OpEd articles in support of positive climate activities
Promoted an Open House at 113 Cammot Lane in Fayetteville to showcase solar PV and electric heat pump operations
Tabled at the New York State Fair
Tabled at Earth Day both in Manlius and Cazenovia
Image from unsplash.com.
What Does Micron Plan for CNY?
Submitted by Roseann Lorefice, CCAA Newsletter Editor with input from Syracuse.com
Image from googleimages.com.
On August 2, 2023, Micron held two local meetings in central New York, the first with invited environmental groups and the second with the general public. The purpose was to share their building plans with the community and allow for public feedback. Officials from Micron, the Army Corps of Engineers, Onondaga County and the Town of Clay spoke.
According to published reports, the chip manufacturing facility will be 2.2 million square feet when fully constructed, will use 48 million gallons of water per day, and consume as much electricity as the state of Vermont. The impact of this plant on New York State’s ability to meet its climate goals as set forth in the CLCPA and the greenhouse gas emissions will be significant. Micron has set an ambitious goal of 100% renewable energy by the end of 2025.
If we are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down the impact of climate change, it is crucial that Micron meet its stated sustainability goals. According to the Post Standard, current plans are to heat the facility with natural gas. This is incompatible with a goal of 100% renewable energy. This intended process will generate a significant increase in greenhouse gases.
It is imperative that these issues be brought to the fore and discussed with alternate solutions, always focusing on the effects of intended actions on theenvironment.
Editor’s note: Members of CCAA were in attendance at these meetings. Because of the deadline for this issue, they will submit a report for the September newsletter.
The NY Heat Act: What’s Happening
Submitted by Andra Leimanis, Program & Outreach Director, Alliance for a Green Economy
We also came very close to getting NY HEAT (Home Energy Affordable Transition) Act passed this year. With on-going advocacy by environmental and grassroots groups, legislators felt the powerful support for NY HEAT, and the NY State Senate passed NY HEAT (S2016A/A4592A) on June 6. In the Assembly, the number of co-sponsors increased to 65 and continues to grow post-session.
NY HEAT is a crucial bill that gets the ball rolling on transitioning buildings off the gas system by ending subsidies for expanding the fossil gas system and creating an energy affordability guarantee to ensure that low- and moderate- income households won’t have to pay more than 6% of household income on their utility bills. But Governor Hochul was not fully on board. Therefore, we’re starting to putting pressure on the Governor NOW by asking her to lead the transition to clean energy and put the NY HEAT Act in her 2024 Executive Budget!
The Renewable Heat Now Campaign hopes that CCAA continues to be part of that effort. CCAA has already signed onto a letter from organizations, faith groups, and grassroots groups that will be delivered to Governor Hochul this month.
And, for individual members who want to do more to help, we have online and paper postcards for everyone to sign. These will be delivered in person to Governor Hochul on December 6. The online version is very easy to share throughout your networks. Paper cards are available – contact andra@agreeny.org for a pdf or a stack of cards – but require the extra step of returning the signed cards to me.
To stay up to date about advocacy efforts supporting the NY HEAT Act, we encourage folks to register for the RHN Campaign Kick-off on Thursday, September 14 at 7pm. Register now so we can send you a reminder in September! The work we did together this session set us up to start strong in the fall. It’s going to be… electric!
Town of Manlius Climate Action Plan – A Call to Action
Submitted by Peter Wirth, CCAA Vice President
Image from googleimages.com.
CCAA was well represented at a recent public hearing to support passage of the Town of Manlius Climate Action Plan. Fortunately, the plan was approved even though there was opposition from a local building association stating some aspects of the plan would increase costs. The Town of Manlius is a leader in the transition away from fossil fuels and warrants our support!
The struggle to reduce fossil fuel consumption is ultimately a local battle fought home by home, municipality by municipality, school district by school district, state by state. Fossil fuel infrastructure is everywhere and needs to be transitioned away from. We need good public policy including upgrading and enforcement of local building codes to make our homes more energy efficient. We need good public policy to help home owners transition to electric heat pumps and roof top solar where appropriate. Germany is starting to require all new homes and commercial buildings to be constructed with roof top solar. We need school districts to start applying for funds to facilitate the transition away from diesel buses and good public policy to help with costs…
And most important of all,we need citizens who believe climate change is real who are willing to speak out. If you have never attended a public hearing at a Town Board Meeting, I encourage you to consider attending one.
A Timely Letter to the Editor
Submitted by Yvonne Chu, CCAA President
Image from googleimages.com.
Congratulations to the Allyn Foundation for making possible the purchase of the Chimes building for mixed income apartments. This is exactly what the city needs.
Hopefully the redevelopment of the Chimes building will follow in the footsteps of the Whitlock building next to Salt City Market on Salina St. The Whitlock building pioneered the use of electric heat pump technology and is the first building downtown to be 100% electric for heating, cooling, lighting, hot water, and cooking. It uses ZERO fossil fuels.
Plans are moving ahead to add a 50K solar PV system on its roof..
The recent extreme weather events that killed 5 people in Pennsylvania, washed out roads in the Adirondacks and flooded the capital of Vermont under several feet of water are our new weather abnormal. Yes, abnormal as the more greenhouse emissions the warmer the planet will be, the more moisture the air will hold and the more extreme the weather will be. It will continue to get more severe year after year. There is no normal anymore.
There is opportunity during the planning and redevelopment of the Chimes building to set a precedent for new construction: to move away from installing fossil fuel powered infrastructure, push for sustainable building practices, and contribute to the resiliency
Of the City of Syracuse overall.
The Allyn Foundation has a long history of helping the community. I hope it will continue in that vein and be part of the solution in helping NYS achieve its climate goals.
Editor’s Note: This letter was published in the August 6th edition of the Syracuse Post Standard.
CCAA at Work
Submitted by Peter Wirth, CCAA Vice President
Images provided by Peter Wirth. From top to bottom: Solar butterfly crew; Ken Johnson hard at work; and Ken Johnson recruiting a new member.
Saturday, July 22, volunteers Ken Johnson and I staffed an information table at the Center for Excellence building on Erie Blvd. This event was sponsored by Clean Communities of CNY. We distributed educational material and signed up three new CCAA members.
One couple shared that they have solar PV on their roof, are considering installing an electric heat pump and wanted to learn more about my 100% electric Chevy Bolt. It is conversations like this that keep me going.
The Solar Butterfly**, a solar powered caravan trailer in the shape of a butterfly was the main attraction at this event. It is driving around the world – 6 continents, 90 countries in 4 years with a European crew to show that solutions against global warming exist and transformation from fossil fuels to clean energy is feasible. On their world tour they will visit and present 1,000 first hand ingenious ideas, projects and companies that work on solutions to climate change.
I spoke with one of the crew members from Germany. He mentioned that Germany’s federal states are gradually making solar installations on the roofs of residential and commercial buildings mandatory as such systems are expected to make a significant contribution to reaching the 215 GW target of installed solar capacity by 2030.This is an example of a policy solution we could be working on in the U.S.
To learn more about the tour, volunteer or sign up for their newsletter go to www.solarbutterfly.org
Editor’s note re: the Solar Butterfly:
A Swiss school teacher, Louis, left his job 15 years ago to inspire the people around the planet to protect the Earth. He is also known as the first man to have travelled the world in a solar-powered car, visiting 38 countries and meeting leading politicians, VIPs and Hollywood stars. The notable tour captured the attention of millions, and he was awarded UNEP Champion of the Earth. Later he received many engagements as a motivational speaker to share his experience and increase awareness that the world is full of solutions to stop global warming. But his mission doesn’t stop there. He aims for a new world tour, to save the planet, and he is planning an even greater project: The Solar Butterfly! A Swiss school teacher, Louis, left his job 15 years ago to inspire the people around the planet to protect the Earth. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Image from googleimages.com with credit to SUNY Oswego.
As I write this, Phoenix, AZ is approaching three weeks of daytime temperatures exceeding 110 °F. Severe heat waves are happening simultaneously across Spain, Italy, Greece, Iran, China. July is shaping up to be the hottest month on record as a global average. Meanwhile, parts of the northeast are recovering from severe flooding, and the wildfire smoke from the Canadian boreal forests paid us another visit this week.
It feels like the climate crisis is coming home to roost. Worryingly, a growing number of climate scientists who have been tracking, measuring and monitoring this stuff for decades are surprised that global climate changes are happening so quickly. Yes, we’re in an El Niño year, but it’s getting scary.
And yet, while faced with arguably the most severe threat to humanity—and certainly to the millions of other species we live alongside on this planet, how much are we talking about it? How often is it discussed in the media? And when the media does discuss it, how effectively are the stories tied to human-caused global heating, and our collective ability to take a different direction?
Apparently, only about 5% of Americans are actively engaged in and talking about environmental issues. 5%. Another 5% don’t believe in human-caused climate change at all. But that that means 95% of Americans are aware that humans are adversely affecting the health of this planet. . Not everyone needs to be a climate activist. But the point is, we are well beyond the stage of having the discussion, “It’s real and this is why.” We no longer need to try to convince anyone, or learn the science so that we can argue down disinformation. Disinformation and denial are DISTRACTIONS, so ignore them. Done.
Nor do we need to search high and low for solutions. We know what the solutions are! Decarbonize. Electrify. Remove our reliance on fossil fuels and continue to scale up the well-established alternatives of wind, solar and hydro. Reduce our impact by eating fewer animal products, thus helping to minimize unsustainable agriculture practices. Think about how we can heat and cool our homes efficiently, travel and so on (all money-savers). None of that is rocket science. But we know that individual actions are almost meaningless which is why we MUST talk about the climate crisis with the 90% of Americans who are receptive, but not necessarily yet engaged.
One of my favorite climate scientists is Katherine Hayhoe, an activist for many years. Please find 17 minutes to watch what she had to say back in 2018. She’s instructive but also really entertaining: simply click HERE. I won’t spoil her thunder, but I will say that the climate crisis IS NOW personal to all of us.
If the 5% of actively concerned Americans all talked about it to people who don’t typically talk about it, imagine the impact! The result: real changes to how people act and consume on a large scale; i.e. changes in fashion and social acceptability. Imagine if it’s far more commonplace for people to be vegetarian or vegan, driving greener (and healthier) choices in restaurants and grocery stores. Imagine if it’s more socially acceptable to buy an electric vehicle than a gas-powered one, so the charging infrastructure explodes in size, or use public transport instead. Imagine if most people ask to not fund fossil fuel companies in their 401(k)s and other investments, so that ethical investing moves from the fringe to the mainstream. Imagine if people expect heat pumps and induction ovens instead of gas furnaces and gas stoves when they’re looking for a new place to live. Imagine, imagine, imagine.
EVERY personal conversation about the climate crisis moves society in that direction. Keeping silent means we’re okay with the status quo. Are you?
Book Reviews
Submitted by Kenneth Johnson,
CCAA Membership Chair and Education Committee Member
Thunberg, G. (Book Creator, 2023). The Climate Book. New York: Penguin Press.
In The Climate Book, Thunberg asked over one hundred experts on climate change to share their expertise in geophysics, oceanography, meteorology, history, engineering, economics and more to help the reader understand the complexities of climate change and some solutions. The consensus is: we are entering a climate crisis now, not later, and this decade will determine the future of at least 40, 000 species of plants and animals as well as human beings.
The Paris Agreement(2015) set a target of not warming the climate more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above Pre-Industrial Revolution levels. Today, the world has warmed 1.1 degrees Celsius. We have little, if any, wiggle room to meet that target. Many of the experts in the book believe we will likely warm the planet two degrees Celsius putting humanity in unchartered territory in its relationship with the planet.
The book is divided into five parts: How the Planet Works, How Our planet is Changing, How it Affects Us, What We’ve Done About It, and What We Must Do Now. Each part is introduced and summarized by Greta Thunberg, who as a 15-year-old student, spent Fridays in front of the Swedish Parliament urging them to address climate change. Today the movement engages in Fridays for the Future demonstrations. Additionally, each part contains several short, but direct chapters written by experts.
Part One contains several chapters explaining how we got to serious climate change. Of key importance is Chapter 1.8, where Johan Rockstrom (Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research) explains temperature tipping points and positive feedback loops that would be created. Should we hit those tipping points, the feedback loops created would mean we could no longer influence the climate, rather the climate would determine our fate.
Part Two examines the various human causes of global warming and its impact on the land, oceans and fresh water, forests and soils. Of summary importance is Chapter 2.25. In it, Tamsin Edwards ( Climate Scientist at King’s College, London) describes the weather and the planet if we reach 1.5 degrees C, 2C, and 4C. As the temperature increases, the weather becomes more extreme, and the earth less hospitable.
Part Three discusses how climate change will affect health, food and nutrition, island nations and coastlines, and immigration. In the final chapter of this part, Eugene Linden ( author of Fire and Flood ) argues persuasively that it will be more cost-effective to invest in climate mitigation now in terms of money, time, and lives, but much more expensive in those terms the longer we wait. Further, the longer we wait, we might not have enough time to mitigate climate change.
Part Four assesses what has been done to date—not much. The chapters here explore the new denialism, the difference between governments stated targets and what they are actually doing, our increase in fossil fuel use, and the infancy of many aspects of geoengineering and drawdown technologies which may not be ready in time to mitigate climate change.
Part Five introduces practical actions that individuals, organizations, governments, and the media can take to address the climate crisis. First and foremost, the authors argue that each of the groups above must recognize and acknowledge that there is a climate crisis. With wild fires, floods, drought, and heat related illnesses and death, the projections are without change, things will get worse. This weather year is not a “one-off”, but part of an on-going, and escalating pattern
The five parts of the book make a compelling case for understanding climate change, why it is happening, and what all of us can do to mitigate it. Many practical simple strategies are offered as well as more complex ones that will require more time and effort.
Editor’s book suggestion for great reading:
Putting Out the Planetary Fire: An Introduction to Climate Action and Advocacy byMark Dunlea, provides an overview of the central issues in the climate movement: Renewable Energy, Environmental Justice, Reparations, False Climate Solutions (nuclear, carbon capture), Real Life Barriers, carbon pricing, Green New Deal, crypto mining, plastics, and military. The second half serves as an organizing guide to the basics of advocacy, from lobbying to litigation to direct action. A free web version is available on the GELF WEBSITE.
AUGUST 23, 2023
6 – 8 PM
Great Lakes Restoration
EPA and its partners are seeking public input on the plan. EPA will provide a quick overview of the GLRI and the purpose of the Action Plan, and then give public participants an opportunity to directly interact with EPA staff and ask questions and provide comments.
Come visit us in the Clean Energy Corner in the Expo Center.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
Renewable Heat Now Campaign Kickoff
7 PM
To stay up to date about advocacy efforts supporting the NY HEAT Act, register for the RHN Campaign Kick-off on Thursday, September 14 at 7pm. Register now so you will receive a reminder in September!
SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
New York City
“March to End Fossil Fuels”,a movement of change to support the Climate Ambition Summit on September 20, sponsored by the United Nations. The Summit represents a critical political milestone for demonstrating that there is collective global will to accelerate the pace and scale of a just transition to a more equitable renewable-energy based, climate-resilient global economy.
There are buses going from the Capital District to NYC on Sunday Sept. 17. Tickets (and donations) through:
NYS Association of Conservation Committees Conference.Registration is FREE. This is a great way to engage in local, state, regional, and national happenings. Use this LINK.
On May 11, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) proposed a plan to cut climate pollution from existing coal, existing gas, and new gas power plants. Fossil fuel power plants are a top source of carbon pollution driving climate change. From 2028 to 2042, the EPA’s proposal would slash carbon pollution by 617 million metric tons–equivalent to reducing the annual pollution of 137 million passenger vehicles, roughly half the cars in the United States.
The Greenhouse Gas Standards and Guidelines for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants is open for public comment until August 8, 2023. Submit a comment to urge the Biden Administration and the EPA to finalize the strong protections to protect our health and environment.
As the U.N. Warns “The Era of Global Boiling Has Arrived,” Biden Resists Declaring a Climate Emergency
On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said the world has entered the “era of global boiling,” and President Joe Biden gave a major speech to unveil new measures to combat the crisis but resisted calls to declare a climate emergency. David Wallace-Wells, an opinion writer for The New York Times and a columnist for The New York Times Magazine, says the world is not moving quickly enough to phase out fossil fuels, and even some of the progress that has been made is easily erased by massive wildfires like those burning in Canada right now. We also speak with Dharna Noor, fossil fuels and climate reporter at The Guardian US, who wrote an exposé on “Project 2025,” a right-wing plan to dismantle environmental policies and many regulatory protections if a Republican takes the White House in the next election. She calls the document’s drafters “a who’s who of the far right.
The Climate Action Now App: Meaningful Climate Action On Your Phone In Seconds
Recommended for Apple or Android. New video below.
The Climate Action Now app makes it exceptionally easy to take meaningful climate action on your phone in just seconds or minutes. Participate in the environmental strategy, communicate transparently to our policymakers or contribute to emission reduction projects. Join an ecosystem of change and take actions for the planet.
Nearly 62,000 people died from record-breaking heat in Europe last summer. It’s a lesson for the U.S., too. Read about it HERE.
Forever chemicals found in chemicals coast to coast builds case for strict EPA limits. FULL STORY here.
TESLA Supercharger network gets first true rival from seven global automakers. The Story can be read here.
Attend the next Monthly CCAA Meeting CCAA sponsors monthly member meetings in person or over Zoom. Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. with the room opening at 5:45 p.m. for socializing. Topics will be announced in this newsletter. Meetings will resume in the fall.
GreeningUSA Newsletter To subscribe to a comprehensive list of climate change and sustainability events, and to publicize an event you are organizing, email GreeningUSA: info@GreeningUSA.org.
Feel like saving the world?Why not donate a few dollars to CCAA? Maybe it won’t be quite enough to save the whole planet, but it will help keep us going, and that’s the next best thing! We appreciate your support.
CCAA Internships and Other Volunteering Opportunities If you are interested in volunteering with CCAA in any capacity, please contact us at newsletter@climatechange-action.com or call 315-308-0846. Don’t worry about your skill level. We are all learning. We need people who can:
Within NY Renews, the Youth Committee is a space mostly for high school and college age individuals. We’re moving towards bi-weekly trainings followed by community organizing to support our campaigns. Joining the youth committee is a great opportunity to level up your organizing, learn about campaigning, and get involved in the climate justice movement.
We meet every other week with additional time on projects for those interested. If you are interested, please fill out the sign-up form so we can get more info about your interests and experiences (it’s not competitive). We would love to hear from you!
We encourage you to follow our social media accounts to support CCAA and stay up to date on other environmental news.
