By Morgan Smith
ITHACA–
Even if you choose to ignore it, climate change on a global scale and even at the local level is a very real problem. It’s hard not to notice 60 degree weather in November, especially in Ithaca NY, which is known for it’s windy and cold winters.
In response to these changes the Tompkins County Planning Department has recently amended the County’s comprehensive plan by adding a new element to address the issue of energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Scott Doyle is the Senior Planner for the Tompkins County Department of Planning, he says, “This is an issue that is mainly a concern because of what we see in trends in terms of energy and oil demands, demands are continuing to raise but the supplies are continuing to diminish.”
The Tompkins County comprehensive plan has four sections, which they call interlocking pieces. The first section is housing, transportation and jobs. The second section is environment. The third section is neighborhoods and communities, the forth section is the initiative recently added for energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Rebecca Webster is a double major in journalism and environmental studies at Ithaca College, and she says she is very glad Tompkins County has adopted this plan. “This area is so dedicated to making smaller footprints on the earth, it was only a matter of time before that common thought became part of our county policies.” Webster said.
The Tompkins County Legislature passed this amendment in December, 2008 and plans and progress to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy on a local level have been underway ever since. Counties in New York State are not required to have a comprehensive plan but Tompkins County is leading the pack.
“Tompkins County is unlike any where else in the State, I think that our citizenry supports planning and thinking about these things much more then other places I’ve worked. In doing something like this and the fact that our local decision makers are supportive of this, that alone is pretty huge.” Doyle said.
Susan Allen-Gil, Associate Professor of environmental studies and science at Ithaca College believes that this is a very impressive plan.
“I don’t think most people appreciate the level of commitment that the Tompkins County legislature made to reducing green house gas emissions. To try to reduce emissions 80 percent by 2050 is one of the most ambitious plans of any county across the country and certainly for upstate New York. It’s way leaps and bounds above what any community has been able to do.” Allen-Gil said.
There have been many programs implemented in this community that people can use to their advantage.
“They’re talking about a program to give loans to low income people to help improve the insulation and the energy efficiency of their own homes. So they need to know that those kind of opportunities are going to exist for them, so that if they feel that putting insulation in their houses is not worth it or they can’t afford it, this gives them a way to know that there is assistance at the county level to make these kinds of changes to and reach the 80 percent reduction.” Allen-Gil said.
Tompkins TCAT is trying to go green as well and has supported this plan by integrating more fuel efficient buses and recently began a vanpool program that acts as a carpool for commuters and can fit five to fifteen people per vehicle. This saves the commuters time and money, but that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone is taking advantage of it. Nichole Tedesco, Service and Operations Analyst for TCAT says the program will only be successful if people use it.
“The vanpools are determined on customer demand. We do have the program in place but right now we’re waiting for people to sign up, we can’t put a vanpool out if we don’t have enough people to use it. When gas prices went through the roof a while ago we had so much interest, but now people are getting used to paying three dollars a gallon for gas so alternative transportation is less in demand I guess.” Tedesco said.
There has been a lot of local support for the county’s comprehensive plan, and there are many simple things that you as an individual can do to help reduce your global footprint. Walk more, drive less, turn off lights and unplug electronics. These are simple and effective ways to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and arguably they’re also simple ways to improve your own quality of life.
“There are things can you do in your everyday life to reduce your impact. But it’s such a large issue that it’s tough to not get overwhelmed with it. The key is to realize that you’re not going to be able to do everything but you can do things in your daily life that will make a difference.” Doyle said.
