Events

We did it. 

At the end of 2020, we set a goal to build a coalition of local businesses and organizations to lead on the climate emergency by taking responsibility for their carbon emissions each year. To start, we set a goal of offsetting $12,500 of emissions from this sector, which would directly fund 6 local families in Climate Fund grants to transition off of fossil fuels – that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford to. 

This past year, 14 businesses joined FLECA to offset their energy bills, travel miles, and deliveries. They’ve invited their clientele to join in the offsetting, as well.

We BLEW past our $12,500 goal by the end of our ‘20 – ‘21 campaign. 

… And I completely missed us crossing the finish line! 

Together, we raised $16,665 this fiscal year. I’m eager to see our members renew their offsetting commitments and welcome new partners to the team.  

It is incredibly gratifying to see businesses account for their emissions and work with us and their team to reduce everywhere else they can. The business sector has a key role to play in building resilience locally in the face of accelerating climate change — and often has more capacity than an individual to invest in climate protection. We are proud to see our local community businesses directly fund these resiliency projects that immensely improve the lives of lower-income community members right here in the Finger Lakes while eliminating an equal amount of emissions! 

Thank you. Thank you. We are so proud to have you! – Halco, Ithaca Marriott, Dailey Electric, Discover Cayuga Lake, Carol Bushberg Real Estate, Paddle-n-more, Beck Equipment, Odyssey Bookstore, Leslie Danks Burke for NY State Senate, Firelight Camps, Rogues Harbor Inn, Freedom Boat Club, and Food Forest Farm. 

Let’s go tackle 2022’s emissions!

Doreen Harris, President of NYSERDA, and Basil Seggos, Commissioner of the DEC, both offset the carbon emissions for their plane travel to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland this fall!

They each offset the 2,475 lbs of CO2 that were emitted from their flights. We feel so honored that they chose to take responsibility for those emissions with our local program right here in upstate New York.

Doreen Harris said,

“I couldn’t think of a better way to offset my carbon emissions from my recent flight to COP26 in Glasgow than through supporting the Finger Lakes Climate Fund. We must all work together to ensure our fellow New Yorkers can participate in the build out of healthier communities and experience cleaner, more comfortable living and working spaces. As such, the Fund aligns with the state’s efforts in providing meaningful benefits through energy efficiency projects for low to moderate income households in the Finger Lakes region. I commend their outstanding work and thank them for joining in our collective actions to tackle climate change head on.”

Basil Seggos agreed, 

“The Fund’s carbon offset program is helping to advance our ambitious climate goals and prioritizing environmental justice for all New Yorkers.”

Unfortunately, we can’t all attend an international climate conference like COP26, but we can each take responsibility for some of our emissions — and as a result, help slash emissions right here in our local neighborhoods. You can offset with the Climate Fund using our carbon calculator and read more about the projects you help fund with our community’s local offsets!

Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to come together to show support for the causes they care about. For Giving Tuesday 2021, we are raising funds for our Finger Lakes Climate Fund.

The Climate Fund directly benefits Finger Lakes residents by offsetting the carbon emissions from donors’ fossil fuel use through grants to low-income families, businesses, and organizations for energy efficiency projects such as insulation, air-sealing, and air-source heat pump installation. See our grant awardee profiles for examples of our grants helping many in our communities to save money and live more safely and comfortably while reducing their fossil fuel use.

This Giving Tuesday, we are raffling off a night of luxury camping at Firelight Camps in Ithaca, NY and an Eco-Cruise with Discover Cayuga Lake Boat Tours. For every offset worth $5 you will receive 1 entry– see our raffle on Instagram and Facebook @flxclimatefund.

Donate directly on our Climate Fund website fingerlakesclimatefund.org or on Venmo @sustainable-tompkins.

You heard that right… the first EVER 🛳Carbon Offset Cruise🛳 is on the horizon!

Wednesday, October 6th @ 6 PM to be exact, which also just happens to be Energy Efficiency Day.

Join us as Discover Cayuga Lake celebrates the summer-long contributions cruise-goers have made to offset the carbon emissions of their trips – whether it be learning about lake algae, taking samples, or at Club Cayuga! ⛴🐟🎧

It’ll be a wonderful chance to learn more about the sustainability & climate justice movement right there in the Finger Lakes while on the water!

This is a FREE eco-tourism community cruise. All are welcome. No previous sustainability knowledge necessary – just come ready to learn and relax on the Teal.

The boat is docked at the end of Marina Drive, across from the Park Police building. Look for the big boat that says MV Teal. There is plenty of parking available. Oh, and don’t forget to BYOB. See you soon!

Sign up to secure your free spot.