Encore: P.U.S.H. Buffalo, Canada’s Green Infrastructure Fund, The Climate’s Reforestation Campaign!

P.U.S.H. GREEN, BUFFALO

In 2005, Aaron Bartley and Eric Walker founded PUSH in Buffalo, NY. PUSH stands for People United for Sustainable Housing. It was established to create strong neighborhoods with quality affordable housing; decrease the rate of housing abandonment by reclaiming empty houses from neglectful public and private owners and redeveloping them for occupancy by low-income residents; and develop neighborhood leaders capable of gaining community control over the development process and planning for the future of the neighborhood. One of its signature achievements was the 2018, $14.8 million renovation of the old Public School 77 into a community hub anchored by 30 affordable senior living apartments, a community athletic center, and an auditorium.  All powered by a 64-kilowatt solar array. That project helped jumpstart PUSH Green, a non-profit community-based energy efficiency program funded by (PUSH Buffalo) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). PUSH GREEN is part of a statewide effort to make Buffalo area homes or small businesses more comfortable, reduce energy usage and bills, address climate change and create local jobs. 

Why Push Green, Buffalo matters to us is it’s proof positive that a non-profit community-based energy-efficiency and renewable installation company can successfully collaborate with a state-based energy authority. It provides a model for other communities in other states and municipalities. PUSH Green, Buffalo offers the following opportunities: Educational outreach workshops on energy efficiency, weatherization and solar. Small commercial program, energy audits, Building repair rebate program. Free or reduced cost comprehensive energy assessments, retrofits, solar, assessments, and installations. 

DEEPER DIVE: PUSH Green, Buffalo News, PUSHBuffalo.org

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT’S “GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE” $200 MILLION FUND 

For the first time, the Canadian Federal Government has recognized Natural (Green) Infrastructure and established a $200 million Natural Infrastructure Fund. The budget will disburse the money over three years, starting in 2021-2022. Infrastructure Canada has been tasked to establish the new Fund that will support natural and hybrid infrastructure projects. Why this matters to us: More and more governments are now realizing that green infrastructure delivers fantastic value and is worthy of significant public investment.  Beyond bridges and roads, natural infrastructure plays a vital role in making communities livable. Local parks, green spaces and waterfronts are all examples of natural infrastructures that support well-being, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and prevent costly natural events.

Catherine Grenier, president and CEO of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, praised her government’s effort: “To invest in nature is to invest in the life support systems that sustain us all. Clean air, clean water, nutritious food, jobs and our overall well-being depend on nature. In a recent survey, nine in 10 Canadians told us we need to invest more to restore and care for our natural systems.” A recent poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs in November 2020 revealed Canadians are turning to nature to cope with the stresses of the pandemic. More than 90 per cent of those surveyed said nature was more important to them now than ever before.

DEEPER DIVE: Living Architecture, Global Newswire, Revitalization.org

CANADA’S GREEN BUDGET

The Canadian government made historic investment in nature protection in its Budget, aimed at addressing the dual threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. The federal budget earmarks a $2.3 billion commitment to conserve 1 million square kilometers of land over five years. Combined with funding for the Nature Legacy Initiative in Budget 2018, this is a major boost toward protecting 25 per cent of Canada’s lands and fresh water. It is in fact the largest-ever Canadian investment in nature. Of note, the funding supports Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, as well as Indigenous Guardians programs. In addition, the budget delivers:

• $976.8 million to protect 25 per cent of our marine and coastal areas by 2025, and 30 per cent by 2030

 NCC also recognizes the unprecedented new funding and targets in Budget 2021 aimed at tackling climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating the pathway to a net zero economy by 2050. Nature is a fundamental part of any strategy to combat climate change. Said Catherine Grenier, president and CEO of the Nature Conservancy of Canada,  “There is no path to sustainability without nature. At NCC we’re ready to bring more private sector investments to the table and leverage the government’s commitments. Together we can ensure a nature-positive and climate neutral future.”

DEEPER DIVE: Budget Canada, ConstructConnect, Nature Conservancy Canada

THE CLIMATE DAILY 50/100 REFORESTATION CAMPAIGN CONTINUES!

We’re making progress with our Climate Champions 50/100 reforestation campaign, so we’re keeping it going!

(Yeessss…)

Thank you to the listeners of The Climate Daily who donated to The Climate Champions 50/100 campaign! There’s still work to do to get us to 10,000 trees. That’s why we’re extending the campaign through May to give more of you the chance to become climate champions. What’s a climate champion, you ask? A climate champion proves that a small group of people can make a massive impact on the planet in a short amount of time.  

How? Our company, The Climate, is partnering with over 30 international tree-planting organizations–ALONG WITH our climate champions– to re-plant, and regrow forests all over the world, by planting ten thousand trees at a time. Why? Because science says the best way to combat climate change is to restore nature. And the fastest way to restore nature is to plant and grow a trillion trees by 2030, and the fastest way to do that is to plant ten thousand trees at a time. So, we’re looking for folks to donate $50 or $100 one time, to help us plant 10,000 trees at a time, in one of seven regions around the planet.

(Which our tree planting partners will do. They’re the tree-planting professionals.) 

Please visit www.TheClimate.org, and at the top of the page, click on the words, “Climate Champions.” Then click on the donate button and join our team of climate champions today. Again, visit TheClimate.org, and at the top of the page, click on the words, “Climate Champions.” Click on the donate button and join our team of climate champions today. And if you want to start your own team of climate champions, reach out to us at info@34.203.12.8. We’ll help you put together your own small group of climate champions to make a massive impact on the planet in a short amount of time. 

(Planting 10 thousand trees–a 20-acre forest!) 

Wouldn’t it be great to be the change you want to see in the world? Become part of something special. Become a climate champion.  Thank you!!

DEEPER DIVE: 50/100 Campaign, Trillion Tree Project