We need all hands on deck to make this a year of climate action. With the Climate and Community Investment Act, we have a chance to pass some of the most influential, impactful climate legislation in the country. Let’s make sure we grab it.
Help reduce waste, protect the environment and improve gardens by teaching others to compost in Tompkins County! Join other enthusiastic volunteers for 10 in-depth classes and 20 hours of practical learning outside of class. Classes cover a variety of compost and education topics that will prepare you to become a compost educator in Tompkins County. The 20 hours of training outside of class include hands-on composting, teaching or assisting at classes, researching compost topics, and designing an independent volunteer project. After training, use your new compost know-how and teaching experience to help others in the community.
On February 16, one of the richest men on earth, Bill Gates, will release his vision of climate solutions in his new book, “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster”. Climate change is one of the crises used by Gates and his Foundation to justify urgent, technocratic “solutions” for altering food systems around the world. In response, AGRA Watch aims to amplify the work of social movements organizing in Seattle and around the world for Climate Justice. To counter top-down, billionaire expertise as the means of solving our world’s most pressing issues, panelists will present an alternative approach centered on Food Sovereignty, with communities leading the way to a climate just future.
Monday, February 15th is President’s Day. What better time than the week of President’s Day to get folks to sign a petition asking President Biden to be a #PlasticFreePresident?!
This is a project to put a high-quality soup pot and weekly ingredients and lessons on cooking into the hands of food insecure families in Tompkins and Cortland County. Learn how you can help!
The Community Science Institute (CSI) will be hosting a free online webinar: “Patterns of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Associated Toxins in Cayuga Lake: Findings from Three Years of Bloom Monitoring.” This free webinar will take place on Saturday, February 27th at 1:00 PM. Registration is required.
On February 21st, from 10:30am – 12:00pm, the Tompkins County Age-Friendly Center for Excellence will hold it’s next workshop in a series called, “A Unifying Framework for Post-COVID Recovery.” A new virtual workshop will be held every month from now through May. This month’s event is called: “What is Age-Friendly Anyways? How it benefits Agencies, Residents, Visitors, and Businesses.” Register here!
TOMORROW (Thursday, 2/4/21) from 3:00pm – 5:00pm is the NYS Energy Efficiency and Housing Climate Action Council Subcommittee meeting. This is the only opportunity for public input before this body gives their recommendation to the State Climate Action Council. We are advocating for an ambitious sunset plan for gas in all buildings beginning with new construction. The timeline below would end fossil fuels in new single-family homes by 2025 and end new and replacement fossil fuel heating system sales by 2030. Sign up to speak for 2 minutes!
February is here! Fend off the winter blues with some movement-building activities. But not to worry; most of these activities are virtual, meaning you can stay cozy and safe while learning, growing, and helping your community. Join the White Fragility book club that meets every Sunday, or attend the Envision Climate Summit – a 3 day event comprised of talks, panels, & workshops. Maybe even learn a new skill, like Woodland Mushroom Cultivation! Visit the Sustainable Finger Lakes Calendar to browse this month’s offerings and click the link under each event for more details.
This evening at 7:00pm EST the Green New Deal Network will host: “100 Days for Climate, Jobs, and Justice: Winning the THRIVE (Transform, Heal, & Renew by Investing in a Vibrant Economy) Agenda” – a bold economic recovery plan to address the intersecting crises facing our nation. Sign up for tonight’s livestream here!
Think Spring! Starting February 1st, the Wells College Seed Exchange program will open for the 2021 season. All seed is available for free and will be available while supplies last. But don’t delay – once the exchange opens, the seed stock disperses quickly. Check out our Wells College Seed Exchange and get growing!
e Ithaca Common Council will be voting this coming Wednesday, February 3rd, to stipulate that the new Green Street residential tower, parking garage and conference center in Ithaca be built with a minimum of 30% local labor (defined as being Tompkins County and all contiguous Counties). Please contact Council as soon as possible to support this, which you can easily do with one e-mail to council@cityofithaca.org (the Mayor will also receive this). This requirement will mean more good jobs for people who live and pay taxes in this area.
According to WaterFront, “For several years, CLEAN, independent scientists, the Town of Ithaca and other neighboring municipalities have raised concerns about a potential catastrophic roof collapse at Cargill Cayuga. Even so, the past five New York State governors have not required the company to provide an environmental impact statement for its sub-lake mining.”
Despite the challenges we currently face in shifting our industries away from pollutive, extractive, and destructive practices, living more sustainably is much easier than you think. Be sure to check out the new Green Tips page for tips on how to practice sustainability as an individual, and as a community. Categories include Energy, Waste, Transportation, Food, Household Products, Water Protection, and Yard & Garden.
Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalition is a not-for-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting sustainable waste management practices, and to leading the fight to oppose the expansion of landfills for out-of-county and out-of-state garbage. And they need your support! Thank you, FLZWC, for fighting to protect life!