Join a public advocacy event that addresses a question that impacts us all: Is Cornell on track for carbon neutrality by 2035? This presentation by faculty, students, and activists will review evidence of Cornell’s climate progress to date and point to actionable steps forward.

When: 7:30-10:00pm on Wednesday, October 8

Where: ILR Ives Hall 305

Who: Everyone! This event is open to the public.

Talk abstract: Cornell University advertises itself as the "Green Ivy," but scientific advocates and climate activists argue that its Climate Action Plan and reporting are inadequate or even misleading. Over the last two years, debate has intensified with the publication of Cornell on Fire's independent reports, the passage of Student Assembly Resolution 20, and a decarbonization debate between engineers and President Kotlikoff on the Cornell Sun opinion pages. In this public advocacy event, we will argue that (1) Cornell needs to report its emissions accurately, including taking accountability for the full scope of their gas plant's methane emissions; (2) Cornell needs to begin decarbonizing campus in compliance with fossil-fuel phaseout laws instead of lobbying behind closed doors for an exemption; (3) Cornell should not use Earth Source Heat as a delay tactic or leave the funding of this critical decarbonization project to others; and connected to all these issues; (4) Cornell needs to provide regular, accurate reporting on their progress towards carbon "neutrality." As part of their argument, advocates will outline how Cornell's current practices fail to conform to New York State Law and Cornell's own 2016 recommendations, while replicating Big Oil's misleading climate doublespeak condemned by a 2024 US Congressional Report.