Good News on Climate!
Need a lift? Here’s the latest good news on climate — lots of it! Credit goes to the NY Southern Finger Lakes Chapter of Citizen’s Climate Education.
Alliance for a Green Economy is Hiring!
Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) — headquartered in Syracuse, NY within the unceded territory of the Onondaga Nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy — works to bring about a just transition to 100% renewable electricity, heating, and transportation. And they’re looking for two new team members: a Deputy Policy Director and an Events and Communications Manager!
Meaningful Gifts available from Sustainable Tompkins for the rest of December!
When you make a donation in a loved one’s name, you will receive a holiday card that you can give to them, letting them know that you made a donation in their honor. We are offering a range of small gift options to make it easy for everyone to show their love by supporting others in our community.
500 Clean Energy Systems Up for Grabs!
Are you or someone you know in need of a new heating system, and on a modest income? NYSERDA is spending 5 million dollars giving away 500 heat pump systems! Participating contractors are available to install either geothermal or air source heat pump systems in income-qualified homes as part of a short-term study at little to no cost to the homeowner (renters qualify too!). Those making under 60% median income can get air-source heat pumps installed for free. If your home needs insulation, they will also do that first. This money will go very quickly! Get enrolled today!
Updates on Status of Police Reform in Tompkins County
The “Reimagining Public Safety Collaborative” recently took questions from the public about Police Reform at a County & City Hall meeting via Zoom. County Sheriff Derek Osborne, Ithaca Police Chief Dennis Nayor, Mayor Svante Myrick, and County Administrator Jason Molino joined Dominique Johnson from the Center for Policing Equity for a candid discussion. One key takeaway was that county officials believe that working groups with carefully selected staff could facilitate suggestions for reform from the public, rather than placing the responsibility on the public to figure out the intricacies. Mayor Myrick shared that he plans to first build up alternatives and community organizations, then cut police funding by a 20% – 40% margin once that infrastructure is in place. Missed it? Watch the video on Youtube, or read the full article by the Ithaca Times.
The Bramble Collective
The Bramble Collective is a group of three Ithaca, NY-based herbalists who dreamt of bringing accessible, sustainable medicine to their community. They are a retail store with bulk herbs & spices, medicine-making supplies and locally hand-crafted products. Bramble is also a community space offering herbal health consultations, a lending library, classes and events. They recently created “Tea Club”, which is a monthly seasonal tea mix subscription to improve your wellness. And today is the LAST DAY to sign up! Even as they struggle, these rockstars are offering ***1 free Tea Club membership to our local BIPOC community for every 5 Tea Club memberships purchased*** Let’s help Ithaca’s little herb shop make it through this pandemic, and help others stay healthy during this time!
Cheap to Free Heatpumps Available!
New York State is practically giving away 500 heat pump systems! Participating contractors are available to install either geothermal or air source heat pump systems in income-qualified homes as part of a short-term study at little to no cost to the homeowner. If you know of someone who might be interested in this opportunity, please share.
New York State’s $226 billion pension fund moves to divest from riskiest oil and gas companies
Big news today! New York State just became the largest pension fund in the world to take comprehensive climate action, including fossil fuel divestment. The $226 billion state pension fund will review and divest from the riskiest oil and gas companies within 4 years and decarbonize the entire fund by 2040. This came after years of campaigning by the DivestNY coalition.
Significant Elements
When a building has to be demolished, Significant Elements salvages parts of it to promote the reuse of these parts. Buy purchasing from them, you help the planet AND you get doors, windows, knobs, keyholes, etc that have twice the character of the boring ones you would buy new! Check out their Facebook page to browse their inventory, or visit their storefront in Ithaca.
Schrader Farms Meat Market
Schrader Farms Meat Market is a small meat processing facility and retail store in Romulus, NY. They’re your source for high quality, locally-grown meat and honest, reliable, and trustworthy service. Their beef and pork is naturally raised with no added hormones. They offer custom cuts, weights, and flavors. Visit their website to shop their beef, pork, chicken, and variety of specialty smoked products!
Green Home Heroes
Green Home Heroes is a NY State licensed Home Inspection company with Infrared imaging experts who will work to discover any health or structural risks in your home due to mold, structural defects, Carbon Monoxide and gas leaks. They also promote energy efficiency, and will help you understand your options for energy efficient repairs and renovations. And they strengthen our local economy by creating as many jobs as possible! Bravo to Green Home Heroes!
Free Plum Trees for Farmers!
Khuba International offers equity-based scholarships for participation in the Learning Farm’s Outdoor School in Enfield. They are currently looking for business sponsorship from farms! — support the participation of income-challenged and racially-excluded children in education in the natural world. Farms that choose to participate will receive two pollination-partner plum tree starts as a gift from The Learning Farm and other collaborating farms!
We Need Your Stories, Tompkins Residents!
We are collecting local stories that highlight the ways our values, thoughts, actions, and policies are shifting in order to create a more just and resilient Tompkins County. This is an opportunity to explore how you are responding to the pandemic, and what solutions or signs of transformation you see emerging. Use whatever medium you like: self-made video or recorded audio (1-3 minutes and horizontal orientation, preferably), written story (200-400 words), or original works of art or poetry. We will share the stories through multiple media to a broad range of audiences.
Creekside Cafe
This Trumansburg cafe serves breakfast and lunch that is delicious, locally sourced, and farm-to-table! They offer takeout every weekend, and this weekend they’re featuring Down East Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese with a panko-parmesan crust. Visit their website to see their menu and place an order!
The Bioscience Resource Project
The Bioscience Resource Project is an educational nonprofit which provides tons of scientific resources, with unique and revealing perspectives on issues that are fundamental to the survival of people and the planet. It publishes Independent Science News, a media service devoted to food and agriculture. They’ve also got internships and trainings for students! Check out some of their recent publications: ‘Bill Gates’ Global Agenda and How We Can Resist his War on Life’ and ‘Why We Need A Small Farm Future.’