initiatives we support

Cornell University recently unveiled a plan to introduce artificial turf. It is a known health and environmental hazard and causes increased injuries to athletes. See Zero Waste Ithaca's campaign page against artificial turf for more resources and to join the opposition to Cornell's installation plan of more toxic artificial turfs on its campus.

Engage with Ithaca’s Justice50 initiative, where progress has been stalled. Connect with Sunrise Movement Ithaca and Climate Justice Cornell students advocating for the Ithaca Green New Deal and Justice50 in local governance.

Cornell funnels vast sums of money to fossil fuel companies through faculty and staff retirement funds, with nearly $900 million in TIAA, a global retirement giant that is the fourth largest coal bond holder in the world. Call for TIAA-Divest!

Climate justice requires a better deal for Ithaca workers. Just Cause Employment offers protections so workers cannot be fired “at will,” instead requiring that employers provide “just cause” for dismissal. Cornell is currently an at-will employer. Just-cause employment will ensure that Cornell employees, and all Ithaca workers, can confidently do their part to hold their employers accountable to climate goals.

Make Cornell Pay will ensure just contributions from Cornell to the local community. This is critical to building capacity for climate mitigation and resilience on campus, in the community, and the region. Faculty, sign the open letter in support of Fair Share.

Mothers Out Front Tompkins is collaborating in the Renewable Heat Now campaign to reduce the demand for fossil fuels and make home heating more affordable, by changing the way our homes are heated. Let’s get affordable, renewable heat for all.

Green Up Cornell each spring with the Society for Natural Resources Conservation: a day for people to come together and clean up campus by removing invasive species and trash. Or Adopt-a-Gorge through SNRC’s partnership with the Cornell Botanic Gardens for a year-round opportunity to protect our gorges.

The science is clear — this is the decade of action. Breakthrough science can be adapted into real-world solutions to address the climate challenge during our most critical decade. Fueled by the collaborative spirit of Cornell’s faculty, The 2030 Project is helping to remove silos, activate research and leverage existing expertise across all disciplines to find solutions now. Join us.

Indigenous Nations dispossessed by Cornell’s Land Grab are calling on Cornell administration to discuss possible remedies. Why is this critical? Indigenous leadership is needed to address the climate crisis. Where Indigenous peoples have strong land rights, their lands hold more carbon, forests are denser, and biodiversity is greater. Cornell, take heed: land back means life back. Cornell, you stand on Native Lands: recognize their leadership.

Cornell Progressives present the real history of Cornell, including its climate injustices, ties to fossil fuel industry, failure to support TCAT, town-gown tensions, and dispossession of Indigenous land.

Web publication for the liberatory efforts of Ithaca and the surrounding area. Mainstream publications might argue that it is not their role to give a voice to movements that do not have formal power. But then, whose role is it to do so? It is the role of Striking Distance.