Celebrating 10 Years!
“Ten years ago, the Climate Solutions Accelerator said, ‘I Do!’ to taking on the challenges posed by climate change and six years ago, I made that same commitment—driven to protect the futures of my two young children,” said Akilah Banister, Board President of Climate Solutions Accelerator. Today, I say ‘I Do’ with even greater conviction because the stakes have never been higher. As parents, leaders, and community members, we must ask ourselves: Will we say ‘I Do’ to taking action, to protecting the next generation, and to building a climate-resilient future? If we don’t, our children will hold us accountable for our inaction. This anniversary is not just a celebration—it’s a call to action. The time to act is now. Will you join us?”
In the weeks leading up to the 2014 People’s Climate March, more than 30 local organizations joined together to demand action on climate change and form the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition (RPCC).
Following the march, representatives from member organizations worked together to define the Coalition’s mission, goals, and structure. For six years, the organization operated as RPCC, with a focus on organizing collaborative efforts to address climate change in the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region. Initially all-volunteer led, RPCC became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2017 and hired its first staff person in 2018, to support the coalition’s rapid growth and increasing activity.
In 2020, the organization changed its name and look to reflect its critical role in launching and accelerating efforts to address climate change throughout the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region. With a growing staff, Board of Directors, and wide ranging group of member and partner organizations, the Climate Solutions Accelerator uses its wealth of experience and energy to galvanize high-impact climate action at the local level.
Electrify Your Home or Organization
Get an energy audit, install a heat pump, or switch to induction cooking, improve the efficiency of your building envelope, or convert to electric vehicles with help from programs like AMPED.
Join a Color Your Community Green Team
Start or join a team in your neighborhood, school, or organization to mobilize local climate action.
Enroll in Community Solar
Reduce your carbon footprint by joining community solar programs like those offered through NYSERDA.
Join the Climate Advocacy Network
Connect with other advocates in your area through the Climate Advocacy Network and be a voice for our community at all levels of government to advance bold, systems-level policy changes.
Go Car-Free or Car-Lite
Reduce your reliance on cars by biking, walking, or using public transportation. Promote bus passes or shared transport options.
Take the Climate Action Pledge
Commit to personal and collective actions to reduce emissions and live sustainably.
Volunteer or Host a Friendraiser
Get involved by volunteering with the Climate Solutions Accelerator or hosting a friendraiser to help expand our local climate network.
Attend Climate Action Events
Participate in events like Green Drinks, the Climate Solutions Summit, or rallies like the Rochester Climate March to stay engaged and connected with local climate advocates.
Share a Testimonial or Climate Story
Inspire others by sharing your personal climate action story or testimonial.
Donate
Support climate action by donating to the Climate Solutions Accelerator or a related cause.
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Familiarize Yourself with the Accelerator’s Community Partners and Opportunities
Explore local organizations and climate justice opportunities for further involvement.Find a Climate Accountability Partner
Pair up with someone who can help keep you accountable on your climate action goals.Talk to Your Landlord About Energy Efficiency
Start a conversation with your landlord about making energy-efficient building improvements.Participate in AMPED Ambassador Training
Learn how to educate others about clean heating and cooling through the AMPED Ambassador program.Learn who your Elected Officials are and advocate to them.
Write or call your representatives to support equitable and accessible climate policies.Check Out Climate Books or Podcasts
Educate yourself by reading or listening to curated climate-related content (e.g., a top 5 list of books or podcasts).Run a 'The Week' Session by Frederick Laloux
Engage in more in-depth, systems-thinking climate discussions through sessions based on Frederick Laloux’s teachings.Attend Color Your School Green Network Meetings
Participate in discussions and projects focused on greening schools and engaging students in climate action.Support Local and Sustainable Food Choices
Join a CSA, source your food locally, buy organic, or make sustainable food choices to reduce your environmental impact.
Our History
September 2024
Monroe County Proclamation
In recognition of our decade of leadership in the community, Monroe County honors us with a proclamation celebrating our 10 years of climate action and commitment to a just, sustainable future.
July 2024
Environmental Justice Indicators Added to ACT Rochester
As part of the ACT Rochester re-launch, we facilitate the inclusion of Environmental Justice and Sustainability indicators, ensuring a deeper understanding of the region’s progress on equity and climate.
March 2024
Vision for the Future Comes to Life
We release an animated vision video that vividly brings to life the key elements of the Genesee-FLX Climate Action Strategy, inspiring our community to take action.
January 2024
Albany Advocacy for NY HEAT Act
We organize a busload of local residents to Albany, advocating for the NY HEAT Act to ensure more affordable, clean energy solutions for New York State.
September 2023
Climate Action Network and Policy Platform Launched
We establish a formal policy platform and launch the Climate Action Network (CAN), mobilizing local residents to advocate for our legislative priorities and a just climate future.
September 2023
Co-facilitation of Rochester Climate March
In collaboration with local youth from the Sunrise Movement and several community organizations, we co-facilitate the planning of the Rochester Climate March, amplifying the call for urgent climate action.
September 2023
Green Drinks Relaunch
We revitalize Green Drinks, creating a space for sustainability professionals and advocates to connect, collaborate, and share ideas to drive climate solutions.
September 2023
AMPED Expands to Residential Sector
The AMPED platform expands its offerings to support local residents in electrifying their homes, furthering our mission to make clean energy accessible to all.
April 2023
Regenerative Economy and Mission Change
We introduce the concept of a regenerative economy to the community and officially update our mission to reflect our commitment to a healthier, more equitable, and regenerative future.
January 2023
First Director of Policy and Advocacy Hired
We welcome our first-ever Director of Policy and Advocacy, expanding our capacity to advocate for policy change at the local and state levels.
January 2023
Color Your Organization Green Program Launched
We launch the first cohort of our Color Your Organization Green program, with six organizations committed to reducing their carbon footprint and advancing climate action within their operations.
October 2022
AMPED Wins Potter Award
AMPED receives the prestigious Potter Award at Causewave’s Wavemaker event, recognizing its innovative approach to electrification and sustainability.
May 2022
Intervention in RGE/NYSEG Rate Case
For the second time, we intervene in the RG&E/NYSEG rate case, standing up for affordable, clean energy and fighting for ratepayers in our community.
April 2022
Selected as NYSERDA Clean Energy Hub
We’re chosen to lead NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Hub for the Genesee-Finger Lakes region, empowering communities with access to clean energy solutions and technical support.
April 2022
Genesee-Finger Lakes Climate Action Strategy Unveiled
We complete and introduce the region's first comprehensive Climate Action Strategy, setting a bold path toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change locally.
September 2021
AMPED Website Launched
The AMPED platform launches, providing essential resources for organizations to electrify their buildings and fleets, accelerating the transition to clean energy across the region.
February 2021
After a year of intensive planning, the regional Collective Impact Initiative for climate solutions was formally launched with a first Steering Committee meeting.
October 2020
We changed our name to “Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region” and finalized our new strategic plan.
July 2020
After several months of planning and preparation, we publicly launched the Color Your Community Green initiative.
January 2020
Formally began the process of developing a climate-focused collective impact initiative for the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region
October 2019
Earned the Seneca Park Zoo’s Environmental Innovation Award
August 2019
Local businesses and other organizations melt their logos in support of local climate action, during our #LogoWarming campaign
May 2019
Formally intervened in RG&E’s rate case, which ultimately results in significant climate wins, including RG&E’s commitment to zero net growth in gas
May 2019
Convened representatives from 18 prominent local institutions (e.g., Empire State Development, the City of Rochester, RIT, the University of Rochester, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, RTS, etc.) to collaboratively develop the Go All Electric initiative.
April 2019
Partnered with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club Rochester Regional Group, and other organizations to bring Republican climate advocate and former member of Congress Bob Inglis to Rochester
January 2019
The Sustainable Homes Rochester Clean Heating & Cooling campaign, a partnership between RPCC, the City of Rochester, and PathStone, publicly launched
October 2018
Held first annual training event (Strategic Mobilization Workshop)
September 2018
Hired first part-time paid employee
September 2018
Our Rise for a Resilient Rochester event lifted the voices of local residents who have been impacted by climate change in order to educate prominent community leaders about the need for bold climate action
May 2018
Our Renewable Energy team formed a small business to administer local Community Choice Aggregation programs
February 2018
Facilitated the creation of the Our Streets Transit Coalition, which collaboratively advocates for a sustainable, multi-modal regional transportation system
January 2018
Facilitate the creation of the Our Land Roc Coalition, which collaboratively advocates for sustainable development and land use policies
October 2017
Partnered with organizations from around the state to plan New York’s first Climate Solutions Summit (held in Rochester)
May 2017
Brockport becomes first local municipality to pass Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) enabling legislation, thanks to the efforts of our Renewable Energy Transition Team
May 2017
501(c)(3) status acquired!
April 2017
Co-organized Rochester’s first Youth Climate Summit
November 2015
Co-organized this region’s first major climate march, with more than 400 participants, held on the eve of the 21st United Nations Conference of Parties in Paris and coinciding with 2,000+ rallies, marches, and other actions worldwide designed to urge world leaders to achieve a universal, legally binding agreement on climate
September 2015
Organized the Rochester area’s first climate-focused candidate forum
September 2014
A group of volunteers from local environmental groups work together to send two buses to NYC for the first People’s Climate March, after which they spend several months collaboratively defining the coalition’s mission, goals, and structure. In homage to the People’s Climate March, they call this new organization the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition (RPCC).
