Lately, the news feels like a storm. Headlines yell about government cuts, appeals of those cuts and, occasionally, reversals of those cuts.
By slashing jobs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for example — as Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency did in late February — the tempests become literal. The very experts who help save lives by tracking severe storms and monitoring the climate are hamstrung.
Those jobs may return, or not. The storm rages on.
It can feel abstract, especially amid unequivocal evidence that human-caused climate change remains the defining issue of our time. It can also feel demoralizing. But look locally, and you’ll find folks leading the charge.
“We can focus on the doom and gloom but also focus on the positive, emphasizing the opportunities and solutions,” said Abigail McHugh-Grifa, the executive director of Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, in a training video from the nonprofit’s website. “For our region in particular, there are a lot.”
Here are a few places to start:
Cold climate means more emissions
As the past few months have reminded, Rochester endures particularly cold winters. As such, the natural gas we use to stay warm is, per the Climate Solutions Accelerator, one of the top source of emissions in our region (behind transportation). Since lowering emissions is a core tenet of combating climate change, the group recommends installing heat pumps and other electric appliances that can make a difference. On this front, the AMPED initiative has some suggestions on where to begin. ampedproject.org
A shake-up on fruit farms
The Finger Lakes are synonymous with agricultural hauls of grapes and apples. But late spring frosts have shaken up apple farms in recent years, rendering some fruit unsellable and other crops lost entirely. Grape growers, meanwhile, see a mixed bag, as warmer temperatures in the region can yield more diverse wines. But for vineyards, the variability of weather presents the biggest challenges. Luckily, groups like New York Sustainable Winegrowing are keeping pace with some of those changes. newyorkwines.org/industry/sustainability
The sweet life
New York is the second-largest producer of maple syrup in the U.S.; only Vermont yields more per year. But temperature fluctuations have caused maple farmers to adjust their tapping windows. If the changes persist, the sap could flow earlier in the season, and there may end up being less of it in the long run. Luckily, maple syrup celebrations at the Genesee Country Village & Museum, Kettle Ridge Farm and RMSC Cumming Nature Center aim to educate — and promise delicious results. gcv.org | kettleridgefarm.com | rmsc.org
Keeping furniture out of landfills
Because we’ve all seen “Toy Story 3,” we know that landfills are garbage mountains full of plastic, old furniture, food scraps and yard debris. The latter two release methane, which made up 12% of all domestic greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, per the Environmental Protection Agency. One way to make a difference? Rehome your desks, tables and chairs instead of chucking them in the dumpster. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore program, with its three locations in the Rochester area, can help. grhabitat.org/restore
Saving the frogs
Rising temperatures and more sunlight have increased the number of harmful algal blooms — toxic bacteria — in the Finger Lakes. But a less frequently told story involves frogs. Increased development and climate change factors have put the amphibians at risk. Diminishing frogs means less food for larger predators all the way up the food chain. What can be done? As WXXI’s Jasmin Singer recently highlighted on the monthly “Environmental Connections,” new vernal pools, like those proposed by A Frog House in Pittsford, can help give the green creatures breeding grounds while also helping preserve soil and vegetation. afroghouse.org
This story has been updated to reflect that transportation, not natural gas from buildings, is the top source of emissions in the Finger Lakes region.
Patrick Hosken is CITY’s arts reporter. He can be reached at patrick@rochester-citynews.com.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
