Hi! As the new president of CCAA I’d like to introduce myself. But first I’d like to thank Yvonne Chu who I am succeeding and Peter Wirth who preceded her, for all the work they have done over the years. Fortunately for me, Peter continues as VP and Yvonne will still be involved in the various committees and will help us with her technical expertise.
I have a background in environmental science having studied and worked in aquatic microbiology and limnology in an earlier career. I have followed climate science for many years. I’ve been with CCAA since 2018 when we sponsored the Climate March in Syracuse and have supported the group mostly through tabling events, opinions, and comments. I will be taking on a more active roll with the support of my wife Roseann (the newsletter editor), the Board of Directors and active members. Apparently, my age has not been a subject of controversy when I “threw my hat in the ring” for President!!!
In the coming two years I would like to put an emphasis on our mission to reduce greenhouse gases through individual and community education and action while supporting fair and just public polices and legislation. At the same time, I would like to emphasize what we can do and what is currently being done to reduce contributors to climate change. I see CCAA focusing on a few areas such as our newsletter, promoting the CNY Carbon Challenge, participating in public events, conducting interactive meetings, and having input to the Micron Project.
Of course, none of this can be accomplished unless there is support and participation from our members; therefore, I am calling on you to also “throw your hat in the ring” for CCAA.
Members confirmed this slate of officers during recent online voting and are urged to contact them with any questions or concerns.
Meet The New CCAA Secretary
Photo provided by Elise Spignardo
Elise Spignardo
“As a senior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School deeply passionate about environmental conservation, I am eager to contribute to the cause by serving as secretary for CCAA. This role would not only allow me to support the group’s administrative needs but also aligns with my goal of making a positive impact on our planet’s health and sustainability. This role presents an opportunity for me to explore my passion for the environment and create a meaningful impact in safeguarding our planet’s future.”
Solar Shingles
Submitted by Glenn Uggola, CCAA Intern (eurgola@syr.edu)
Images provided by Nickels Energy Solutions
Residential solar energy creates a way for homeowners to implement clean renewable energy for their homes and reduce their individual impact on the environment by cutting down on harmful carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.
Starting in 2015, Kevin Nickels, along with his brother Steve Nickels, co-founded Nickels Energy Solutions in Central New York. Their goal was to advance the use of renewable energy by educating individuals on both the environmental and financial benefits of residential solar energy while providing high-quality installations.
In speaking with Kevin Nickels, he explained how different homes have different needs regarding solar energy. Solar energy continues to advance with new technologies like Solar Shingles, a development by GAF Energy, which provides a way to integrate solar panels into the roof of a house. Among other residential solar panel services, Nickels Energy Solutions provides Solar Shingle installations, creating high-quality, sustainable, and aesthetic solutions for homeowners looking to replace their roof while implementing solar energy.
Many homeowners are apprehensive about the costs of installing solar energy, but Nickels explained that “If you plan on staying in your house, the most expensive thing you can do is just keep doing what you’re doing now, which is paying utility companies”. Nickels encourages everyone to consider solar as a way to cut down on energy costs. He specifically advises homeowners to look for a roof replacement that will ultimately pay for itself.
Nickels also spoke to the significance of residential solar energy, not only for the individual home but for the community as a whole. “When you overproduce energy, the extra energy is not usually stored in a battery, it enters the grid,” Nickels explained. In doing so, more clean renewable energy is being placed on the grid and used by consumers who don’t own solar themselves.
Nickels Energy Solutions is locally owned and operated, with both Kevin and Steve born and raised in Syracuse, NY. Nickels Energy Solutions was recognized for its quality by earning the Quality Solar Installer designation from NYSERDA. The company provides high quality solar installation across Central New York. To find out more, visit its website at https://www.nickelsenergysolutions.com/ or reach out directly at (315) 481- 7412 or info@nickelsenergysolutions.com.
Phantom Power
Submitted by George Lorefice, CCAA President (loreficegj@gmail.com)
Image from googleimages.com
Because of my participation in CCAA’s Carbon Challenge I became curious about the amount of energy I was using on appliances when they were supposedly turned off or on stand-by. This energy use is called Phantom Power or Standby Power.
Using a watt meter, I plugged it between the appliance and the electrical outlet to measure the electrical use. Some small appliances are on all the time, so I measured them also. The table below has examples of what I found. Notice that even the LED lights on clocks are sucking up some of that energy. These are seemingly small amounts of electricity but multiplied by the number of households with these appliances it surely adds up.
A remedy for the wasted energy from Phantom Power is to plug the appliance into a power strip, which is easily switched off, instead of having to unplug it. This can be done at night or when not home for extended periods of time.
The Carbon Challenge has made me more aware of ways to reduce my energy use and thereby reduce my carbon footprint. Give it a try!
Climate Change Curriculum at Upstate
Submitted by Dr. Sriram S. Narsipur, Asst. Dean, Upstate Undergraduate Medical Education (narsipur@yahoo.com)
There is no debate that climate change has a major impact on human health, but individual physicians have minimal formal training in this relationship. Upstate Medical University Norton College of Medicine (Syracuse, NY) has undertaken initial steps to introduce this topic into the curriculum.
In one recent elective course, Professor Augusta Williams reviewed Infectious Disease impacts with about a dozen first year students in an afternoon session. For example, changes in climate have resulted in migration of both mosquitos and ticks northward: Dengue Fever and Lyme Disease, respectively, are now diagnosed in areas where they were never seen.
It is also apparent that most health problems related to climate change disproportionately affect poor and underserved populations around the world. In other words, “it’s not in our back yard” is changing too fast to ignore. A perfect example is last summer’s wildfire smoke in CNY that affected breathing and increased asthma related illness.
While active research is under way on several fronts including vaccines and planning forecasts that combine meteorology, habitat change, and epidemiology data, the ultimate resolution will remain addressing proximate causes of global warming such as controlling carbon emissions. The goal in this educational curriculum is to educate future doctors to help them take leadership roles and empower strong and knowledgeable voices in mitigating climate change to benefit human health.
Katherine M. Burns (1943-2024)
Images provided by Yvonne Chu
Katherine “Kitty” Burns, longtime activist and member of CCAA, has sadly left us after a courageous battle with cancer. At the core of Kitty’s lifelong activism was a concern for the well-being of all. In her career she worked as a case manager and substance abuse counselor, and in her retirement that care for others translated into active care for the environment.
Thinking globally and acting locally, she converted her home from oil heating to energy efficient heat pumps to significantly reduce her own carbon impact. Kitty also brought her love of gardening to the youth of Syracuse, becoming a beloved volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, teaching inner-city youth how to grow vegetables.
We will miss her welcoming smile to all and her sincere efforts to be a force for change in this world. RIP, Kitty.
CCAA Hosts First of Climate Change Film Series: “A Sea Change,” at Holly Greenburg Home in Fayetteville
Submitted by Olivia Morton, CCAA Intern (oemorton@syr.edu)
Image provided by Olivia Morton
On February 25th, CCAA hosted its first film as a part of the Climate Change Film Series ongoing throughout the spring. CCAA members and community members gathered at SU Professor and Artist Holly Greenburg’s renovated church home in Fayetteville to watch the 2009 film, “A Sea Change”.
The film follows retired educator Sven Huesby as he travels across the globe in search of answers concerning climate change to give to Elias, his 5-year-old grandson. Like his grandfather, Elias has an affinity for the ocean and its ecosystem. CCAA members and viewers watched as Sven travels to the Pacific Northwest, California, and eventually toward his home county of Norway in the Arctic Circle. He speaks to experts from all over the world on a multitude of aspects concerning climate change such as ocean acidification, extracting fossil fuels, renewable wind and water powered energy sources, as well as economic concerns.
After the film, viewers were able to share their feelings directly during a reflection conversation. Although there were multiple feelings about the film and its portrayal of the climate crisis in the early 2000’s, there was a common theme among these feeling: “scared,” “angry,” “frustrated,” “terrified”, to name a few. CCAA will continue to help members of our community better understand these feelings concerning climate anxiety and how to cope with them, but more importantly, what YOU can do to act against the root cause of these uneasy feelings – climate change.
“A Sea Change” was the first film of the series with a screening of “Chasing Ice” on March 24th, and a screening of “Earth Emergency” on April 14th! All screenings will be hosted at 304 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville.
The Carbon Challenge
Submitted by the CCAA Carbon Challenge Committee
Our signature program, the Carbon Challenge, is getting an overhaul and reboot. If you have previously participated, you will be receiving an email asking you to complete a survey to help update the effort. This is IT! We’d love your feedback to help us update and improve the challenge.
Future newsletters will highlight the program in more detail. In the meantime, if you have never participated, please go to www.climatechange-action.com for a look at how YOU can be a part of the solution to climate change.
Thought For The Day
Sustainability: The goal is to introduce the concept to EVERYONE that living sustainably, from A to Z in every decision that we make, equals lowering carbon and net positive for Climate Action.
ORGANIZATION: Reimagine Buildings ‘24
EVENT: Global Online Conference
WHEN: March 7 – 8, 2024
TIME: 12 p.m. – 12 p.m.
LOCATION: Virtual
“The online global conference that provides information, connections and inspiration to make buildings that can change the world.”
To ease some of the climate change anxiety out there and provide hope for the future, check out the following link https://go.ted.com/LxuY6 to a TED talk by Jonathan Foley, Executive Director of Project Drawdown where he envisions a future where we stop climate change and build a better world.
If you’re not familiar with Project Drawdown, check https://drawdown.org. It is a world-class network of scientists, researchers, and fellows who have characterized a set of 93 technologies and practices that together can dramatically reduce concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
It used to be oil, then natural gas, but now hydrogen is the new clean energy source. Imagine prospectors and drillers rushing to locate and tap into these vast underground hydrogen reserves. It’s just getting started. But we need to be wise about tapping into and using this relatively new again resource. https://newatlas.com/energy/geologic-hydrogen-gold-rush/
As a member of Climate Change Awareness and Action, you are cordially invited to attend the second in a series of films to be shown on March 24, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will be held at 304 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. The film, Chasing Ice will be featured followed by discussion. Refreshments will be provided. Registration required. Click HERE.Limited to the first 35 registrants.
And mark your calendarsfor the continuing film series:
April 14, Earth Emergency
All showings are at 3 p.m. at 304 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville and registration will be required.
On May 14, at the regularly scheduled CCAA member meeting, join us at the Fayetteville Library in the Community Room at 6:00 p.m. for a presentation on COP28 by Kim Cameron, Ph.D.
Dr. Cameron was a delegate to the world conference on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Cortland County and has valuable insights as to the workings of the group and their achievements.
Editors’ Note: Regularly scheduled meetings for CCAA members are generally the second Tuesday of each month. This changes (as you can see) to accommodate special events.
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.
Attention, all CCAA members. Earth Day is fast approaching and there are several tabling events that need able-bodied folks to help. Check out the following dates and please let the contact person know that you can help.
APRIL 19 Earth Day celebration at SUNY Morrisville held at the Applied Learning Student Showcase. Our own Past President Yvonne Chu will be the keynote speaker. Volunteers are needed for 2 – 3 hour shifts starting at 11:30 a.m. Contact Ken Johnson at kmjohnson717@msn.com
APRIL 20 Party For the Planet held at the Burnet Park Zoo in Syracuse. We need 3 – 4 volunteers. Let Ken Johnson know you can be there to help. 315-498-4146 or kmjohnson717@msn.com
APRIL 20 Earth Day in Pompey, NY, sponsored by the Pompey Environmental Conservation Committee from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Setup is at 8 a.m. and Ken Johnson, our Education Chairperson would like to know that you can help. Kmjohnson717@msn.com
APRIL 21 Earth Day celebration at the American Legion in Cazenovia sponsored by UCANN from 11 a.m.—3 p.m. There will be an EV car show and activities for families and kids. Dr. Aaron Strong, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Hamilton College will speak on Carbon Offsets. Ken Johnson kmjohnson717@msn.com is coordinating volunteers.
APRIL 21 Earth Day Hike at Clark Reservation from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Setup help begins at 1:30 p.m. Contact Sonia Kragh (sykragh@yahoo.com) to volunteer.) Come and celebrate Earth Day from 1 pm to 4 pm in the large pavilion at Clark Reservation State Park! Various local earth-centered organizations will be there (Onondaga Audubon, Habitat Gardening of CNY, Dewitt Advisory Conservation Commission, and more). A guided (challenging) hike led by volunteer Mike Bonvell will start at 2 p.m. and last from one to two hours. Free native plant seeds will be distributed starting at 1 p.m. (quantities are limited). Registration is now open at this SITE. Check Facebook for UPDATES. VOLUNTEER to help by contacting Sonia Kragh (sykragh@yahoo.com). Set-up begins at 1:30 p.m.
MAY 4 Mark your calendars for Earth Fest Day in the Town of Manlius, one of the largest celebrations in Onondaga County. The event will take place in Canal Landing Park in Fayetteville from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Rebecca Broome, Project Coordinator is currently looking for volunteers. Contact her at rbroome@townofmanlius.org
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.
Newsletter Committee Staff Writers: Marie Stewart, Olivia Eden Fried, Stella Simeonova, and Glenn Urgola Publishing and Design: Yvonne Chu, Annalena Davis Editor: Roseann Lorefice
CCAA Interns: Marie Stewart, Olivia Eden Fried, Katie Daley, Andrea Hayman, Stella Simeonova, Olivia Elise Morton, and Glenn Urgola
