Inspired by Earth Day, Yorktowner can think globally and act locally

YORKTOWN, N.Y. — Earth Day began on April 22, 1970, as a large-scale grassroots demonstration, which succeeded in raising awareness about environmental issues and transforming public attitudes. Today, Earth Day activities, as reported by Earth Day Network, include more than 1 billion people, making it “the largest secular civic event in the world,” according to history.com.

Earth Day reminds us to think globally but act locally.  There is much we can do right here in Yorktown to make a difference and help mitigate climate change.  First, a bit of education…

Climate change is caused by the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas, methane), which release carbon dioxide (CO2), changing our atmosphere and warming the Earth. CO2 accumulates and lasts on the order of 1,000 years. We have only a few years left to have any chance at mitigating the worst effects of climate change (which cannot be undone).  The risks include melting glaciers causing flooding of low-lying areas, warming of the oceans and lowering their salinity with far-reaching impacts on aquatic lifeforms.  We will also be eliminating habitats for other species driving them to extinction. We are already experiencing severe weather, including changes to rainfall, along with storm intensity and frequency. 

In addition, our energy demands are only growing for things like heating, cooling, transportation, and manufacturing. 

In Yorktown, new construction projects like Underhill Farms, Hallocks Square, Lowe's, and Walgreens all need clean energy. And as people migrate to helpful green technologies such as heat pumps and electric cars, there is also a growing need for clean electricity. 

So, how can we increase our energy production without excessive CO2 generation? 

Here are a few things we can do . . . 

Sign up for Community Solar through Sustainable Westchester - https://sustainablewestchester.org/solar/#benefits. 

There is no cost, and you will receive clean energy from a local solar farm. This will take about 10% off your electric supply charge.  What’s not to like?

• If you have a sunny roof in good shape, consider installing Rooftop Solar. It has a wonderful payback.  If you have Con Edison as your electric supplier, you are paying some of the highest rates in the country and they are planning another rate increase.  I installed mine over 4 years ago and have only paid a nominal $20 a month for connection to the grid.  This could continue for another 20+ years. 
  I have a heat pump and two electric cars. Contact us at Yorktown100 or visit the Sustainable Westchester site which will soon have a “Residential Solarize” program , which will make the transitions very easy.
• If you are a Con Ed customer, enroll in Grid Rewards.  This program is also available through Sustainable Westchester at this site:  https://sustainablew estchester.org/programs and pays you money to reduce your electric use during peak times (like summer afternoons when polluting “peaker plants” are running to keep up with the loads).  It is completely voluntary. NYSEG also promises to be offering Grid Rewards within the year.
• Buy less! Consider the “cradle to grave” environmental impacts of the new items you are considering.  Think about the pollution created while manufacturing and transporting new items, and how the item will finally be disposed of.  Here in Yorktown, for example, our household waste is incinerated in Peekskill, causing harmful air pollution right here in Yorktown.
• Support clean solar energy development in Yorktown. Have you considered coming to the Town meetings or writing a note to your Town Board or Supervisor and sharing your views?
  • Tell the town government if you believe all new development should include rooftop solar.
  • Encourage town officials to promote rooftop solar to homeowners and businesses.
  • Support properly sited and thoughtfully designed large-scale ground mount solar installations and modern battery storage.

• Join Yorktown100, a fully volunteer group of individuals contributing their time and energy to help build a healthier, safer, and just

  Yorktown at: https://yorktown100.cure100.org/

Yorktown100 is an all-volunteer community-based organization that seeks to reduce global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero urgently and with high priority, through a combination of advocacy, education and campaigns at the local and global levels. Contact us if you would like to learn more, or would like to join. Visit us at yorktown100.cure100.org and help make a difference.

Bob DeAngelis is a retired IBM engineering manager often seen biking or hiking and is president of Yorktown100.

Susan Buck, a retired elementary educator, is deeply concerned about the planet we are leaving the next generation, and a Yorktown100 board member.