“Climate Anxiety: A Panel Discussion”

On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the NYS Chapters Coalition hosted an engaging panel discussion on the growing issue of climate anxiety and how it affects people across different age groups and professions. The event featured expert insights from Dr. Jennifer Fendya (licensed psychologist), Dr. Divya Gupta (environmental social scientist), and Lauren Kim (NYU student and climate activist).

The panel explored various dimensions of climate anxiety, from the emotional burden felt by young people to the psychological and community-level responses to the climate crisis. The conversation also touched on how emotions like fear and anger can drive positive action and how we can support individuals experiencing anxiety.

For those who missed the live session, the full panel recording is available on our NYCP YouTube channel.

Panelists:

  • Dr. Jennifer Fendya, Licensed Psychologist
  • Dr. Divya Gupta, PhD, Environmental Social Scientist
  • Lauren Kim, Co-chair, Climate Reality NYU Chapter
/by

“Support the Supporters – Distributed Solar Makes Big Impacts”

As New York transitions to clean energy, community involvement is crucial to the success of renewable energy projects like wind and solar. These projects not only help combat climate change but also bring local benefits, such as job creation and healthier environments. In this meeting of the Support the Supporter network, led and moderated by Len Lunka, Renewables Outreach Coordinator with NYCP, participants will explore case studies of community solar projects in New York and discuss their significance as we push for larger utility-scale renewable initiatives to take effect.

Speakers:

  • Jonathan Cohen Policy Director, NYSEIA
  • Kate Selden Senior Policy Analyst, Solar One
/by
,

Getting Off Fossil Fuels in Buildings

Join us for this NYCP teach-in to learn about how your local government can lead on a local energy code that ensures construction of healthy, emissions-free buildings in your community. We’ll also learn about the recommendations of NYS Climate Action Council’s Draft Scoping Plan to reduce emissions from buildings, and how you can weigh in!

Teach-In Program:
– “A New $ Opportunity for Local Governments”, NYSERDA’s Stretch to Zero Pilot Program: Elizabeth Staubach, Senior Project Manager at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

– “Leading by Example: The City of Ithaca’s Comprehensive Green Building Policy”, Luis Aguirre-Torres, Sustainability Director for the City of Ithaca

– “Reaching NY’s Ambitious Climate Goals: The NYS Draft Climate Plan’s Recommendations for Healthy, Zero-Emissions Buildings”, Jen Metzger, Senior Policy Advisor, at New Yorkers for Clean Power, former NYS State Senator

Read more
/by
, ,

Green Affordable Housing

Checkout our online teach-in reviewing successful green affordable housing around the state, helpful policy initiatives and how to scale up to meet NY’s climate goals!

Speakers include:
Elizabeth McDade, Rochester Energy Efficiency & Weatherization (RENEW)
Guy Kempe, RUPCO
Jen Metzger, Former NYS State Senator & NYCP Policy Advisor
Jamal Lewis, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
Michael DiRamio, Assistant Director of Energy Affordability & Equity at NYSERDA
Zach Fink, ZBF Geothermal

Co-hosted by Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, Urban Strategist, and Betta Broad, Director of Advocacy & Organizing at Association for Energy Affordability/NYCP Campaign Director

You can take action for Green Affordable Housing by filling out our form here: http://tiny.cc/Act4AffordableGreenHouse

Read more
/by
,

Legislation to Electrify NY’s Transportation

Learn about current legislation in New York that supports electric vehicle sales, charging infrastructure and greening public transportation. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and take action!
Send a letter to your representative: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-green-transit-green-jobs-in-new-york/
Connect with NYCP to meet with your legislator about clean transportation: https://forms.gle/2xpkWpwUBfHDpu9Q8

Featuring:
– Mo-Yain Tham, Policy and Research Associate at Jobs to Move America
– Rachel Patterson, Legislative & Climate Associate at Environmental Advocates NY
– Carine Dumit, Director of Market Development & Public Policy at EVgo
– Albert Gore, Director of Public Policy & Business Development at Tesla.

Read more
/by
,

Improving NY’s Benefit Cost Analysis

Our state’s regulatory processes are not taking all the factors into account when deciding the cost benefit ratios of fossil fuel & renewable infrastructure! Learn what needs to be considered by industry experts. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and take action for a better BCA!
Visit our take-action page to improve NY’s BCA: tinyurl.com/bcacomment

Speakers include:

Sonal Jessel, the Director of Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Andy Frank, the Founder & President of Sealed and Strategic Advisory Group member to inform the Building Electrification Process for the Department of Public Service

John Ciovacco, the President of Aztech Geothermal and Strategic Advisory Group member to inform the Building Electrification Process for the DPS

Jessica Azulay, the Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) and active party member in numerous rate cases across NYS.

Read more
/by
,

NY Towns & Cities Transition Off Fossil Fuels (Buildings) & How to Pay For It

Learn about gas bans, Ithaca’s cutting edge energy codes and how towns & cities can decarbonize their existing buildings!

Speakers:
Amy Turner – Senior Fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School
Nick Goldsmith – Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca
Mark Thielking – Director of Energy and Sustainability for the Town of Bedford.

Read more
/by
, ,

New Rules for Renewables Show Support

Learn from supporters and industry experts on the new regulations released by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and how you can participate as a supporter in the upcoming online stakeholder sessions.

Speakers:
Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York
Giuseppina Agovino, Founding Member of Friends of Flint Mine Solar
Ryan Piche, County Manager at Lewis County
Jessica Enzmann, Organizing Representative at Sierra Club

Read more
/by
,

Next Generation Thermal Infrastructure

Learn how we can meet our energy needs across NYS with clean heating and cooling technology!
Speakers will discuss shared geothermal loop systems, thermal infrastructure ownership options and how we can finance getting to scale.

Sign up for Renewable Heat Now’s email list for notifications on how to take action for clean energy infrastructure!

Join Our Advocacy

Speakers include:
Cullen Kasunic from BlocPower
Zeyneb Magavi & Audrey Schulman from HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team)
Stuart Yanow from Orca energy
Owen Brady from National Grid

Read more
/by
, ,

RHN Gas Proceeding

Join Renewable Heat Now for a one hour online teach-in on the NYS Gas Proceeding.

The Public Service Commission, the agency that regulates the utilities, has started a new case on gas planning (20-G-0131) to ensure utilities are transparent, equitable and consider New York State’s new climate law, Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, in their investments and service! The PSC is taking comments on this proceeding.

Here is what the proceeding is about, in the words of the Public Service Commission Order:

Gas utilities need to … adopt improved planning and operational practices that enable them to meet current customer needs and expectations in a transparent and equitable way while minimizing infrastructure investments and maintaining safe and reliable service. Additionally, planning must be conducted in a manner consistent with the recently enacted Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). (emphasis added) Case #20-G-0131 Order initiating proceeding, p. 1-2.

Your voice is needed to help hold the utilities accountable!

Speakers:

Jessica Azulay – Alliance for a Green Economy

Radina Valova – Pace Energy and Climate Center

Kim Fraczek – Sane Energy Project

Lee Ziesche – Sane Energy Project

Take action today! Submit a comment to the Public Service Commission telling them to stop the gas infrastructure buildout and help with the conversion to renewable heat now: https://renewableheatnow.org/planning-comment/

Read more
/by