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Studies have shown that climate action leads to economic opportunity. In fact, 91 percent of the 110 global cities tracked by the Carbon Disclosure Project and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group state that climate action created economic opportunities, thus making cities more attractive for businesses, largely in the sectors related to energy efficiency and the development of non-motorized transportation infrastructure. (Page 6, Rochester, NY’s Climate Action Plan ) At the national level, transportation accounts for 27% of our greenhouse gas emissions. At the local level (Rochester, NY), it’s at 24%, which is a drop of 7% since 2010, where “this decrease is correlated with a reduction in employment in the region (and attributed, in part, to improved vehicle efficiency.” (Page 21, Rochester, NY’s Climate Action Plan ) We are seeing two opportunities to advance clean transportation in Rochester: Rochester, NY is getting five electric buses. This “puts Rochester in the lead on elect...

Some say Climate Change is all a hoax; some say it’s too late; some say it’s very urgent but not hopeless. Carbon dioxide must be removed from the atmosphere to avoid extreme climate change, say scientist s One of the first scientists to warn of the dangers of climate change, Professor Jim Hansen, warns the 's*** is hitting the fan' Humans must start removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as soon as possible to avoid saddling future generations with a choice between extreme climate change or spending hundreds of trillions of dollars to avoid it, according to new research. An international team of researchers – led by Professor Jim Hansen, Nasa’s former climate science chief – said their conclusion that the world had already overshot targets to limit global warming to within acceptable levels was “sufficiently grim” to force them to urge “rapid emission reductions”. But they warned this would not be enough and efforts would need to be made to reduce the amount of carbon di...

[ Click here to read part one of “ Rochester, NY passes Climate Action Plan ”. ] Much has taken place in our country involving Climate Change since November’s election—Donald Trump, the Pruitt EPA running amuck on our environment, our country pulling out of the Paris Accord, Rochester joining the Mayors National Climate Change Agenda , and the passage of the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) on May, 23 rd . Not to mention that an ice sheet in Antarctica the size of Delaware slipped into the ocean and is now afloat, freeing up some weighty glaciers so they can slip into the ocean—which will raise water levels. (I know, climate scientists are still not sure whether Climate Change is responsible for unleashing this colossus, but still… it’s gotta make you wonder.)    The passage of Rochester’s CAP means it’s not a draft anymore, it’s in force. But what does that mean? How is the City going to achieve the goals of the CAP? How much is Climate Change going to enter into the up-a...

Rochester, NY enters the ranks of other responsible communities actively planning for Climate Change like Portland , Oregon;  Chicago , Illinois;  Boston , Massachusetts; and  Minneapolis , Minnesota. On May 23, 2017, Rochester City Council passed the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP): “City’s Office of Energy and Sustainability, working with consultants it engaged for that purpose, has developed the Rochester Climate Action Plan (CAP), which proposes a community-wide target greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 40% from the baseline year of 2010 by the year 2030 and provides an implementation framework consisting of strategies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” (page 92, Resolution No. 2017-13 Resolution endorsing the Rochester Climate Action Plan Council Legislation Passed May 23, 2017, Certified Ordinances passed.) Rochester’s climate action efforts are not just part of an explosion of US states and cities stepping in to fill the leadership void on C...