Posts tagged citizen action

Vote today in the People’s Choice ‘Signs of Sustainability’ poll

Signs_of_SustainabilityWho inspired you over the past year with their efforts to create a more sustainable Tompkins County?  Do you know a young person bucking the trend of consumerism? A business looking out for the broader interests of the community? Perhaps a senior citizen speaking up against pollution? Or an organization making progress on the interlinked goals of community well being, ecological stewardship, and a resilient local economy?

You can honor their work by nominating them for recognition in our annual community sustainability awards.   The People’s Choice Signs of Sustainability will be selected through an online poll of community members who nominate those they believe made a contribution in the past year toward making ours a more sustainable and just community. Nominees and the top vote getters will be announced at the annual Earth Day Ithaca celebration on Sunday, April 19, 12-5 pm, at The Space.  Read more about the Signs of Sustainability program.

Voting is simple. Categories are for sustainability-enhancing activities by a 1) Organization, 2) Business, 3) Individual(s) or 4) Youth (<21).  We will be looking for nominees in a wide range of sectors: Transportation, Food Systems, Energy & Climate, Buildings & Infrastructure, Democracy & Social Justice, Arts & Culture, Health & Well Being, Waste Reduction, Resilient Economy, Community Development, and Natural Resource Conservation.  You can vote up to 5 times.  Polls will be open through April 8.  VOTE HERE.

http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/local/2015/03/23/sustainable-tompkins-award-nominations/25218721/

Glen Theater Audience Inspired by Film on Grassroots Action

It was a beautiful and warm summer evening, but about 90 people chose to go into the Glen Theater in Watkins Glen on Tuesday night to watch a film made by locals about locals who wanted to control the future of their community.  My Name is Allegany County is a compelling story about how rural residents organized to “say No” to plans of Governor Mario Cuomo to site a radioactive waste dump in their community.

Finger Lakes Bioneers  co-sponsored the event with Gas Free Seneca and  The Finger Lakes Sierra Club Group  and welcomed Jack Ossont of the Coalition to Protect New York, and Spike Jones (featured in the film) to host a discussion after the film.  A surprise guest was Sandra Steingraber of Don’t Frack New York who asked the audience to consider taking their pledge to oppose fracking by nonviolent action if Governor Andrew Cuomo goes forward with permitting the practice.  

Pictured are Kate Bartholomew of Finger Lakes Group of the Sierra Club, Spike Jones, Yvonne Taylor of Gas Free Seneca, Nick Vaczek, coordinator for Finger Lakes Bioneers, and Jack Ossont of Coalition to Protect New York.