Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sl8

(16,245 posts)
Sat May 4, 2024, 06:00 AM May 2024

After adopting its own Green New Deal, a college town sets a new target [Ithaca]

https://www.npr.org/2024/05/04/1249119842/ithaca-green-new-deal-justice50-climate-justice

After adopting its own Green New Deal, a college town sets a new target

MAY 4, 2024 5:00 AM ET
WSKG News
By Rebecca Redelmeier



Ithaca residents called for officials to take action on climate change at a rally on Earth Day 2024.
Aurora Berry/WSKG


Five years after setting some of the most ambitious climate targets in the nation, Ithaca, N.Y., is hoping to set a new standard. The city council unanimously voted this week to require that half the funding spent on its energy transition and on major infrastructure investments go toward those residents most at risk from climate change.

The vote makes Ithaca the first U.S. city to set a 'climate justice' spending benchmark higher than the target set by the Biden Administration.

It's the latest development in the college town's effort to model how a small city can tackle climate change. In 2019, Ithaca passed a Green New Deal resolution, becoming the first city in the country to commit to removing fossil fuels from all buildings within a decade. That effort has lagged behind its target, though it's now picking up steam.

"It's impossible to separate economic and social injustice from the impacts of climate change," said Ithaca mayor Robert Cantelmo in an interview just after the council voted unanimously to adopt the new framework, called Justice50. The legislation, he said, is an attempt to right the city's history of putting poorer communities in the path of more pollution and environmental disinvestment.

[...]

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
After adopting its own Green New Deal, a college town sets a new target [Ithaca] (Original Post) sl8 May 2024 OP
I think the biggest challenge is replacing gas or oil for heating in all the buildings with electric jimfields33 May 2024 #1
Replace big oil tax breaks with multigraincracker May 2024 #2
I dont know if a city gives tax breaks. jimfields33 May 2024 #3

jimfields33

(18,837 posts)
1. I think the biggest challenge is replacing gas or oil for heating in all the buildings with electric
Sat May 4, 2024, 07:11 AM
May 2024

It definitely can be done, but it’s ambitious. That will definitely help them with their goals.

multigraincracker

(34,068 posts)
2. Replace big oil tax breaks with
Sat May 4, 2024, 08:41 AM
May 2024

research into renewables. But, we now have the best government money can buy.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»New York»After adopting its own Gr...