Roadmap Summary

Climate change is one of the greatest existential threats facing our society, on the same scale as nuclear war, asteroid impacts, and global pandemics. The buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has reached levels (410 ppm of CO2) not seen since 3.2 million years ago, when our Australopithecus ancestors roamed Africa and sea levels were 80 feet higher than they are now. Scientists no longer debate whether man-made climate change is happening. The scientific discourse now revolves around whether or not today’s society can survive the predicted upheavals brought on by food and water scarcity and resulting population migrations, how close the world is to several “tipping points” that would irreversibly push the climate into a new regime, and whether it’s worth the risk to undertake planetary-scale geoengineering projects such as blocking sunlight with man-made haze in the upper atmosphere.

Against this backdrop of a world in a slow-moving emergency, various levels of government have finally started to take serious action on climate change mitigation after decades of urging by scientists and other concerned citizens. Nations have a framework for addressing climate change under the Paris Agreement. President Biden has proposed a large infrastructure investment that would address some aspects of a climate solution, such as the electric grid and electric vehicles. New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which targets 70% Renewable Energy by 2030, 100% Zero-emission Electricity by 2040, and 85% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions by 2050.

Municipal governments have an important role in addressing climate change mitigation too. Some acted early and are now far ahead of Capital Region municipalities. For example, many cities in California, Ithaca, and New York City have proven to be leaders.

Volunteers from two groups, Bethlehem Tomorrow and Capital District Community Energy, researched climate change mitigation actions that are within the jurisdiction of Capital District municipalities. Most of the volunteers have professional experience related to climate change mitigation, ranging from engineering and research to public policy and administration. None of the volunteers have financial interests in this topic that would result in monetary gains if the recommended actions are adopted. The volunteers examined the actions undertaken by other municipalities across the country and actions recommended by New York state agencies and various nonprofits. This website describes the actions that the volunteers recommend be undertaken by municipalities in the Capital Region of New York State.