CCAA Newsletter (Volume 7, Issue 8) – SUN Day Celebration!

Volume 7, Issue 8
October 2025

Letters to the editor and feedback always welcome: n ews.ccaa@gmail.com.

Musings from the President

Submitted by George Lorefice (loreficegj@gmail.com)

What a beautiful day CCAA and the Dewitt Advisory Conservation Commission had for the first Sun Day event celebrating all things solar! This idea was a brainchild of Bill McKibben and promoted by ThirdAct.org.

Our two local groups had a day of presentations, ice cream sundaes and music. It was a celebration of solar, wind and batteries which are the future of decarbonization and cheaper energy production. Kudos to Sonia Kragh, Van Cleary-Hammarstedt and Peter Wirth for organizing, setting up and promoting the event. Also, a thanks to all those who attended, our Board members who helped, those organizations that had tables and the music by the UNiTY Street Band and Colleen Kattau.

Photo provided by Roseann Lorefice.

Did you know that the amount of energy generated by one acre of utility-scale solar would require 31 acres of corn-ethanol to produce the same amount of energy? Approximately 40% of corn production in the US is used for ethanol production or 30 million acres.

The assault on the environment has continued with Trump’s UN speech. I’m thinking that world opinion and economics will push him and unfortunately the U.S. to the sidelines. Who wants to invest in or build an oil or gas well or a coal mine when wind, solar and batteries are cheaper and faster to build?

On Sun Day we celebrated the sun, our sun, a source of unlimited energy (at least for the next five billion years). The sun provides an energy source that doesn’t have to be dug, piped, shipped or fought over. It is there for the taking. What can be more liberating!

From the Editor…

Submitted by Roseann Lorefice (loreficer@gmail.com)

Greetings, fellow sun worshipers! As many articles and pictures in this issue will attest to, our recent SUNday celebration to highlight solar, wind and all alternative forms of energy was a huge success. If you weren’t there, not only did you miss a great informative event, but you also missed wonderful sundaes!! Maybe next year.

Once again, I’m encouraging you to send your suggestions for a name for this newsletter to news.ccaa@gmail.com.

I’m also encouraging would-be contributors to consider submitting an article (same email) and/or volunteering to help us out. And speaking of volunteering, we offer internships to high school and college students that offer valuable training for future jobs. Our interns move on to desirable environmental positions. Just sayin’…

SUNday

Submitted by Roseann Lorefice, CCAA Newsletter Editor (loreficer@gmail.com)

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Cedar Bay Park in Fayetteville, our region joined hundreds of other communities globally when we hosted our first ever Sun Day in celebration of all things solar and charged by solar. Sponsored by Climate Change Awareness and Action (CCAA) and the Dewitt Advisory Conservation Commission (DACC), and inspired by the efforts of environmental guru Bill McKibben, the sun, our host, provided the most beautiful of sunny days to highlight our efforts!

While we enjoyed music and ate free sundaes on Sunday for Sun Day, speakers and vendors and those with knowledge about solar and renewable energy helped us learn, have fun, and encouraged us to take action together. Tours of the Dewitt solar array highlighted the day’s offerings!

CCAA hopes this event is but the first of many!!

Photos provided by Roseann Lorefice.

Legislative Update

Submitted by Jan Kublick (jan.kublick@gmail.com)

It’s Climate Week in New York City. In this edition you’ll read about Sun Day, a local event on the 21st celebrating solar energy, one of nearly 500 events held around the world.

At the same time, as we try to process the denialist nonsense that is our President’s and his party’s positions on science in general and global warming in particular, there is very hopeful news about renewable energy. Solar and wind have become, by far, the cheapest ways to produce electricity worldwide. As a result, capitalism is now pushing the world away from burning fossil fuel: not out of concern for global warming, but for profit. The Administration’s position is therefore in opposition to the inexorable judgement of capitalism. The new technology is here, and it is not ‘natural’ gas. Capitalism does not go back to old technologies. The issue is how quickly will solar and wind be deployed, and how much global warming impacts can be limited by doing so.

Our nation was built on discovering and deploying new technologies. We are a nation with unmatched research and science strengths, yet we find ourselves with an elected government that is willing to throw all that away just to protect obsolete and unhealthy energy. Nevertheless, many people around the world and indeed many in this country, are looking to renewable energy to create a new cleaner, cheaper energy economy. The rest of the world is installing cheap, clean, renewable energy. It is the future, and, for the moment, the Trump Administration, with support from the Republican Party, is willing to forfeit that future.

For a very good discussion of all this, I highly recommend Bill McKibben’s latest book, Here Comes the Sun. As a ‘trailer’ for it, enjoy the following conversation between him and Tom Steyer entitled We’ve Both “Got Grandchildren”. Doing so should rekindle your hope and renew your resolve.

Be sure to share your hope and enthusiasm for a cleaner, cheaper, healthier future with your family and friends. Support renewable energy whenever and wherever you can.

New Intern Welcomed

We are pleased to add Maddy Bloom to our list of hard-working interns. A native of New Jersey, she has also lived in North Carolina, Oregon and now the Syracuse area. And she asserts that each move has deepened her love for the outdoors.

Maddy has a background in marketing in the bicycle industry and is passionate about inspiring more people to connect with nature and with each other. She enjoys biking, running walking her dog and discovering new local restaurants and coffee shops.

Currently, Maddy is excited to bring her marketing experience to CCAA while also exploring new opportunities to grow her career and make an impact. We are looking forward to all the help she can give us!

UPDATE: what’s happening…

Meeting held on October 6 by the Community Benefits Coalition to organize efforts to guarantee that Micron will follow through with its “Good Faith Efforts” to meet hiring goals from disadvantaged communities as intended.
CCAA as well as other community groups who expressed concerns after receiving the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) are awaiting a response from Micron. It is expected that all responses both group and individual will be responded to in a consolidated manner.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Good News

Let’s start with the good news. The years 2023 and 2024 showed a continued trend of record-breaking outcomes of energy deployment for the United States. Clean energy sources are an increasingly vital part of the U.S. economy and power system, with renewable sources and battery storage making up the vast majority of new additions to the grid. Renewables vastly outpaced other generation sources and collectively accounted for around 90% of the United States’ new installed capacity in 2024. With the new projects online, renewables (including wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower) and battery storage now make up 30% of the country’s large-scale power generating capacity. (Now check out the Not So Good News….)

Not so good News

Ugh! The bad news. Following recent restructuring under the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed cutting a 54% reduction of funding from 2025. Specific cuts include: not only an astounding major budget and staff reductions, gutting research, substantial cuts to grants for state and water infrastructure, eliminating or significantly cutting grants for environmental justice, climate change, and diesel emissions, eliminating superfund cleanup funds, canceling $7 billion in “Solar for All” grants and is trying to claw back billions in other climate and clean energy grants awarded under the previous administration.

This is demonic. Climate change is not “a hoax”, as our elected leader says. Just as we see perhaps a sliver of light at the end of the climate change tunnel, as we progress working on replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy, a satanic force arose to threaten the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the very existence of this planet.

The EPA has moved to weaken and reverse several environmental regulations including repealing the 2009 “endangerment finding,” which found that greenhouse gases threaten public health, and is rolling back rules that limit carbon and air pollution from power plants, and limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water. Further, civil and criminal enforcement actions have been significantly cut. (Let’s follow this with what can we do!)

Can we do something? Yes, we can. First, not give up hope and continue to push on with the work we have done. Renewable energy is on a roll. The rest of the civilized world is taking advantage of the progress of using solar, wind, geothermal and hydro. We here in the United States must fight every cut using our voices, our social media, our financial support and most important our ability to vote for elected officials who truly represent us in the next year. Secondly, we must keep up with the most important information and remain educated and on top of this situation.

Stay on top of the most recent articles and literature. We include many diverse interesting sources in this newsletter.
Become part of the process by reviewing draft plans and engage in the process with written comments or public hearings.
Attend important conferences where experts come to present to you the most cutting-edge information.

Environmental Calendar…

October 10, 2025. 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. GreeningUSA’s next virtual Green Bag Lunch. TOPIC: The Cumulative Impacts of the Micron Project: PFAs and Environmental Justice. Registration is HERE. Tune in to GreeningUSA’s YOUTUBE CHANNEL for past talks.

October 17, 2025, Energy Literacy Workshop. Granby Community College 812 County Rte. 8, Fulton, NY

An interactive workshop to help you learn about energy-saving tips and programs that can help you save money year-round. You’ll receive a FREE DIY energy kit (valued at $40) and guidance on enrolling in energy programs. Light meal provided. Register HERE.

October 22 – 23, 2025. Albany, NY. The Alliance for Clean Energy (ECE NY). Excellent Symposium bringing leaders from government, industry, academia, nonprofits, and the public sector to explore critical issues and opportunities in New York’s clean energy transition. Discounted registration is available for university faculty and students. View the agenda and register here

October 23, 2025. 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Pompey Town Hall Heat Pump Open House Event.8354 Route 20, Manlius, NY.REGISTER HERE.

October 23, 2025. Energy Literacy Workshop. Port Byron, 12 Spoonable Dr., Port Byron, NY. 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. An interactive workshop to help you learn about energy-saving tips and programs that can help you save money year-round. You’ll receive a FREE DIY energy kit (valued at $40) and guidance on enrolling in energy programs. Light meal provided. Here is THE REGISTRATION LINK.

October 31, 2025. TCCPI Environmental Meeting. The topic is always climate-related events. All are welcome to ZOOM in. Here’s the link info:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89200586331?pwd=lcS8lwlHaU5zm1Zvny7khfSN62xOl5.1

Meeting ID: 892 0058 6331 Passcode: 364633

November 5, 2025. Energy Literacy Workshop. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville, NY 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. An interactive workshop to help you learn about energy-saving tips and programs that can help you save money year-round. You’ll receive a FREE DIY energy kit (valued at $40) and guidance on enrolling in energy programs. Light meal provided. Register HERE.

November 8, 2025. Energy Literacy Workshop.11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lafayette Public Library 2577 US-11, Lafayette, NY. Join us in Lafayette for an interactive workshop to learn about energy-saving tips and programs that can help you save money year-round. You’ll receive a FREE DIY energy kit (valued at $40) and guidance on enrolling in energy programs. Co-hosted by and located at the Lafayette Public Library, and with a light meal provided. REGISTER HERE.

November 14, 2025. Energy Literacy Workshop. 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Join us in New Woodstock for an interactive workshop to learn about energy-saving tips and programs that can help you save money year-round. You’ll receive a FREE DIY energy kit (valued at $40) and guidance on enrolling in energy programs. REGISTER HERE.

CCAA Board Meetings:

October 5, 2025

November 2, 2025

December 7, 2025

All meetings are on ZOOM at 7:00 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE: April 17, 2026. Symposium on Energy in the 21^st Century. Syracuse, NY. Program to follow.

News and E Info

Available Solutions to Combating Climate Change. We have often spotlighted Project Drawdown to promote the many positive solutions available right now and those that are in the pipeline to reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. Drawdown Explorer is their recent endeavor to highlight these solutions.

Drawdown Explorer identifies and characterizes the most effective climate solutions that can address climate change on a meaningful scale today. It also provides valuable insights into proposed solutions that are not viable, not impactful enough, or not yet ready for prime time. Check it out!

Free Sustainability Workshops. Syracuse has launched a series of public workshops to help residents understand climate change and take steps to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.

The meetings focus on topics such as energy efficiency, transportation and the role of trees in combating the “heat island effect” — where urban temperatures are higher than in surrounding rural areas. The new “Climate Education and Engagement Program” will also introduce the community to ideas expected to appear in the city’s upcoming Climate Action Plan, announced in April.

Information about all of these workshops can be found on the city’s tinyurl. com/ycykan5r) website.

PODCAST: Every other Thursday there is a new episode of WAER’s environmental podcast, Deeper Shade of Green. Recent episodes include “Pervasive Plastics Pollution: Can Business, Government or the Public Reduce It?” in which Mitch Ratcliffe, publisher of Earth911, describes the plastic pollution problem and the lack of proper systems to handle this issue. He also shares innovations and optimism about this industry going forward. The episode can be streamed here.

Another recent episode features Jennifer Brady, Senior Data Analyst and Research Manager at Climate Central. In this episode she delves into what data tells us about weather extremes and the link to climate change. The episode can be streamed here.

HELP STOP PLASTIC POLLUTION: Beyond Plastics is offering FREE advocacy training workshops in October. It is conducted on Zoom, is only one 2-hour session. Dates are: Saturday, October 25 from 1 – 3 p.m.; Tuesday, October 28 from 7 – 9 p.m.; and Thursday, October 30 from 7 – 9 p.m. Register HERE.

E Links

Articles of Interest

A Conversation with Bill McKibben. “We’ve both got grandchildren.” The godfather of the climate movement talks to all of us. LISTEN IN HERE.
We’re Working for Fossil Freedom. Wind turbines are standing tall against fossil fuels. Check out THIS ARTICLE.
Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-127) posted a very informative OP-ED letter in the Sunday, September 28, 2025, issue of the Syracuse Post Standard, calling attention to the potential loss of funding for energy upgrades. Read that HERE.

If you were appalled by the comments made by DJT at the United Nations General Assembly recently, consider listening to more update and humane comments made by someone who has emerged as a voice of the people. LISTEN HERE.

Something lighter, for a change! The EV Road Trip That Went from Impossible to Easy! The quick growth of electric charging stations has continued despite the Trump administration’s hostility to green energy transition. CHECK THIS OUT!

Goodbye to fossil fuels? NY’s ban on gas equipment in new homes is coming soon. Are we ready for it? CHECK IT OUT.

Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. Convert emissions or energy data into concrete terms you can understand — such as the annual CO₂ emissions of cars, households, and power plants. Try it HERE.

Guide to using home energy credits before they’re gone. JUST CLICK!

Getting The Word Out!

Submitted by Roseann Lorefice, CCAA Newsletter Editor (loreficer@gmail.com)

It’s our mission…to get out there and spread the word to help limit greenhouse gases! So, we were there – at the Fayetteville Fest, the Manlius Swan Fest and the Westcott Culture Fair to inform the public and encourage environmentally friendly behaviors. Check out our photos!

Photos provided by Roseann Lorefice.

Help CCAA’s Mission : Purchase a t-shirt

From the beginning, CCAA has focused on its mission to inform and educate the public about the need to protect our environment in the face of climate change. Our organization sponsors events that bring this goal to the public. But we need your help.

Volunteers offer time and energy but the reality of the costs of providing materials, sponsoring attendees at conferences, attending tabling events, maintaining our website, etc. have mounted and so we’re reaching out to you. Can you help?

Purchasing a CCAA t shirt not only supports our efforts but promotes more awareness every time you wear it. It’s available online at THIS SITE.

Image provided by Michael Lorefice

NY Renews Youth Committee Opportunity
NY Renews is a coalition of over 300 organizations fighting for climate justice in New York State. Currently, we’re focusing on a budget campaign demanding NY State invest $15 Billion in the budget this year for climate justice.

Within NY Renews, the Youth Committee is a space mostly for high school and college age individuals. We’re moving towards bi-weekly trainings followed by community organizing to support our campaigns. Joining the youth committee is a great opportunity to level up your organizing, learn about campaigning, and get involved in the climate justice movement.

We meet every other week with additional time on projects for those interested. If you are interested, please fill out the sign-up form so we can get more info about your interests and experiences (it’s not competitive). We would love to hear from you!

Here’s the form to sign up!