The Cornell Climate Stewards Program is a 12-week training program for adults who want to work with their communities on a local climate action project. A er completing the twelve weeks of training, volunteers agree to contribute 40 hours over 1year to complete a local climate community project to help their municipality become a “Climate Smart Community” in New York State. The Cornell Climate Stewards Program provides New York residents with the tools and network to help increase adaptation at a local level and increase mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
There have been two pilot trainings of Stewards with CCE Associations. The first cohort (2021) developed 53 stewards from the following counties: Dutchess, NYC, Monroe, Seneca, Tompkins, and Ulster. The second cohort (2023) produced 49 stewards from Clinton, Essex, Erie, Madison, Monroe, Niagara, Orange, Schenectady, Schoharie/ Otsego, Schuyler and Seneca counties
The program focusses on:
- Increasing access to the most up-to-date land-grant university research on the science of climate change, impacts, adaptation, and mitigation, through a Cornell Cooperative Extension course for adults in New York;
- Establishing a network of volunteers committed to local climate action, who are empowered to develop and implement climate change stewardship and education projects in their community;
- Expanding the reach of Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension to facilitate climate action at the local level; and
- Providing support to municipalities in New York and the State to achieve their GHG emissions reduction and adaptation goals set out under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
Two example projects from this year include:
Cornell Climate Stewards in Schenectady County
Trained volunteers in climate science, climate change impacts, mitigation, adaptation, and climate justice. Participants are now equipped to join the county's Climate Smart Task Force, advocate for environmental initiatives, educate their community, and take action themselves.
Monroe County Climate Stewards
Collaborated with Erie County to train 16 volunteers in climate change action and sustainability. Volunteers focused on promoting sustainable practices and combating climate change impacts within Monroe County. Volunteers worked on educating community members, fostering leadership, advocating for climate smart initiatives, and working with municipalities to enhance sustainability.
Results
The activities positively impacted the audiences reached by:
- Increased Knowledge and Skills: Participants were trained in various aspects of climate science, climate change impacts, mitigation, adaptation, and climate justice. This enhanced their understanding of these complex issues and equipped them with the necessary skills to address them effectively.
- Empowerment: By becoming Climate Stewards, volunteers gained a sense of empowerment to act within their communities. They were encouraged to join local task forces, serve as ambassadors, educate others, and implement projects that promote sustainability and combat the impacts of climate change.
- Community Engagement: Volunteers were empowered to engage with their communities on climate-related topics. They became leaders and advocates for climate action, facilitating dialogue and collaboration within their municipalities.
- Sustainable Practices: The training encouraged participants to promote sustainable programming within their communities, leading to initiatives aimed at reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and raising awareness about climate change.
- Municipal Involvement: By working with local governments and communities, Climate Stewards fostered municipal involvement in responding to the impacts of climate change. This collaboration helped advance efforts to make communities more climate-smart and resilient.
Overall, the activities of the Cornell Climate Stewards program positively impacted audience by empowering them with knowledge, skills, and resources to address climate change at the local level and promote sustainability within their communities.
Public Value Statement
The Climate Smart Stewart program cultivates and empowers leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change. In 2023 102 Climate Stewards were working on 94 active projects around New York State putting in over 500 volunteer hours to support communities.
Through comprehensive training in climate science, mitigation strategies, and climate justice, volunteers and participants gain a deeper understanding of these complex issues and the tools to address them effectively. By becoming Climate Stewards, volunteers are not only empowered to act within their communities but also encouraged to serve as ambassadors, educators, and advocates for sustainability and climate resilience. Through their engagement, they foster dialogue, collaboration, and municipal involvement in climate-related initiatives, leading to the adoption of sustainable practices and the promotion of climate-smart communities.
