Climate change is a global challenge, but we can only tackle it directly in the places where we live and work. Sustainable Hudson Valley serves as a catalyst for new ways to scale up climate action to slow and reverse the crisis while advancing environmental justice and economic well being in our communities. Since 2007, we have been at the forefront of local government training and planning and programs to grow the clean energy marketplace.
Today we are leading in the creation of a Regional Climate Action Strategy that parallels and supports New York’s nation-leading legislation. Over 90 skilled volunteers – representing the region’s communities and diverse expertise – have contributed to our analysis of essential strategies to get renewable energy built, make clean transportation accessible, transform farming and forestry into part of the solution, and tackle the climate impacts of the way we produce materials and handle water resources.
Climate change is a threat multiplier, affecting the most vulnerable people the worst. Across all our programs, our priority is on scaling up clean energy and building resilience, where it can make the most difference in addressing historic injustices.
Our programs in 2022 and 2023 are focused on advancing these strategies with many partners.
How can we scale up climate action? By working more nimbly … at larger scales …… with greater leverage…. Involving, inspiring and listening to more people….. and by holding a clear vision. That is the purpose of SHV’s regional initiatives.
“If we don’t win very quickly on climate change,
then we will never win.
That’s the core truth about global warming. It’s what makes it different from every other problem our political systems have faced. I wrote the first book for a general audience about climate change in 1989 – back when one had to search for examples to help people understand what the “greenhouse effect” would feel like. We knew it was coming, but not how fast or how hard. And because no one wanted to overestimate – because scientists by their nature are conservative – each of the changes we’ve observed has taken us somewhat by surprise.”
– Bill McKibben, Rolling Stone