Cornell collaborations promote carbon offsetting

Since 2010, Sustainable Finger Lakes has awarded grants for clean-energy home upgrades through the Finger Lakes Climate Fund. These upgrades, which totaled up to $135,000, included 62 air- and ground-source heat pumps and 23 heat-pump hot-water heaters.

Staying local sets the Finger Lakes Climate Fund apart from other carbon offset programs. As of July 2022, the Climate Fund has offset 7,672 tons of carbon dioxide after granting 79 awards helping individuals, families and businesses in 10 Finger Lakes region counties.

To carbon offset, the Climate Fund’s carbon footprint calculator will show offsetters how many pounds of carbon their travel is equivalent to. The transportation mode, number of travelers and trip mileage are taken into account when calculating the donation amount.

The money donated is then used to fund clean energy home upgrades for low- and middle-income households in the Finger Lakes region. By addressing socioeconomic barriers, reducing carbon emissions becomes more widely accessible.

The Climate Fund allows offsetters to take responsibility for their travel while positively impacting their community.

“The Finger Lakes Climate Fund is a win-win-win for those who love to travel, are committed to reducing their climate impact by offsetting their emissions and want to support low-income families throughout the Finger Lakes region,” said Marianne Krasny, the director of graduate studies for Natural Resources and the Environment at Cornell University.

Awardees greatly benefit from these clean energy home upgrades, improving comfort levels and reducing carbon emissions.

“The difference in heating was incredible,” said Nina of Freeville after receiving a Climate Fund award for a heat pump system installation. “It’s great to not use fuel oil at all, and during this hot summer, I’ve really enjoyed having the option to run them as air conditioners.”

Sustainable Finger Lakes is now collaborating with the Cornell Campus Sustainability Office to support a new low-carbon travel pilot program. For this pilot, multiple Cornell academic departments will use an “avoid, reduce, replace, offset” model to map out their plan to reduce air travel. The Campus Sustainability Office recommends offsetting with the Finger Lake Climate Fund to reach these goals.

Cornell faculty have expressed support for carbon offsetting with the Climate Fund. Krasny is excited about moving forward with this pilot now that the Cornell Graduate School has signed on.

The Cornell Campus Sustainability Office’s partnership with Sustainable Finger Lakes will accelerate climate action, not only on campus, but also in the Ithaca community and Finger Lakes region.

Cornell alum Milena Bimpong is the tenant engagement coordinator at Sustainable Finger Lakes. East Hill Notes are published the first and third Wednesdays of each month in Tompkins Weekly.