The Division of Planning and Sustainability will host four public meetings as part of its Climate Education and Engagement Program and Climate Action Plan Development
Partnership with EnergySmart CNY Community Campaign will further education and resident empowerment around sustainability solutions
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced a new sustainability program and partnership with EnergySmart CNY to engage the community around climate education and sustainability solutions. The City of Syracuse Division of Planning and Sustainability established the Climate Education and Engagement Program as part of its Sustainable Syracuse Initiative and is partnering with EnergySmart CNY’s Community Campaign to educate the community on climate change and recommended actions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“The City’s Climate Education and Engagement Program and partnership with EnergySmart CNY’s Community Campaign will elevate the work we are doing around sustainability by ensuring the public is not only involved in the process but empowered to take action,” said Mayor Walsh. “These efforts will continue the City’s commitment of developing strategic actions around sustainability while providing tangible solutions for Syracuse residents to reduce their carbon footprint, whether it be through building improvements, energy upgrades, or community solar subscriptions.”
The Division of Planning and Sustainability will host four public meetings to introduce the community to its Climate Action Plan (CAP) currently in development and discuss climate themes relevant to our region. Each meeting will focus on a different theme and highlight speakers from both public and private sectors.
Meetings will take place in all four quadrants of the city during the months of September and October with the following themes:
- Flood Mitigation: Thursday, September 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Public Service Leadership Academy (PSLA) at Fowler High School (227 Magnolia Street Syracuse, NY 13204)
- Heat Islands and Urban Tree Canopy: Thursday, October 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at White Branch Library (763 Butternut Street Syracuse, NY 13208)
- Energy Use and Efficiency: Thursday, October 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Soule Branch Library (101 Springfield Rd, Syracuse, NY 13214)
- Transportation and Smart Growth: Thursday, October 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at STEAM at Dr. King (416 E Raynor Avenue Syracuse, NY 13202)
To further education and resident empowerment around sustainability solutions, the EnergySmart CNY Community Campaign will organize additional public engagement opportunities over the next year. The campaign will provide education and access to resources that help people become more energy efficient and will highlight insulation upgrades, solar panel installation, and community solar power subscriptions.
“Many people are struggling with their energy bills. EnergySmart CNY is a non-profit resource to help people of all income levels explore how to make their homes and buildings more energy efficient,” explained Lindsay Speer, with the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board. “We know it can be confusing to know where to start or who to trust. That’s why we are partnering with the City of Syracuse to connect residents with knowledge and resources that cut energy use, lower bills, and reduce carbon emissions.”
EnergySmart CNY, supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will host its first community campaign workshop this fall.
The City’s Sustainable Syracuse Initiative and its programming is funded in part by the Climate Smart Communities Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
To learn more about the City’s sustainability efforts and provide feedback, visit syr.gov/sustainable-syracuse. To learn more about the EnergySmart CNY Community Campaign, visit energysmartcny.org.
About the Climate Action Plan
As part of the City of Syracuse Sustainability Initiative, the Division of Planning and Sustainability is working with C&S Companies on the creation of a data-informed Climate Action Plan to promote the pursuit of net-zero emissions and climate resiliency within city limits. A Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a strategic list of actions a city government, community, or other organizations can take to make meaningful reductions in their carbon footprint and to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
About EnergySmart CNY
EnergySmart CNY is a local Regional Clean Energy Hub serving Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Madison, and Cayuga Counties, coordinated by the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, and local nonprofits Alliance for Green Economy and Greater Syracuse Works.