In 2015, the UN led Paris Accords agreed to attempt to limit warming to 1.5oC, which would require emissions reductions of 43% by 2030
In 2019, NYS passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), setting a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030 and by 85% or more by 2050. In 2026, Governor Hochul successfully fought to change that goal to 60% by 2040.
In 2021, President Biden committed the US to a 50 - 52% reduction by 2030 from 1990 levels, to fulfill the requirements of the Paris Accords (Note: President Trump recinded this commitment in 2025)
In 2024, Monroe County released Phase 2 of its Climate Action Plan, setting a goal of an 80% reduction of fossil fuel emissions from 2019 levels by 2050.
The costs of our current emissions fall into two categories:
the costs associated with unchecked climate change, such as
increasing levels of storm and flooding damage to homes and infrastructure,
loss of crops due to severe weather conditions,
Health costs due to high levels of heat
the health benefits of ending fossil fuel (and wood) combustion, such as:
reductions in the rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and cancer due to poor air quality
increase in overall healthfulness associated with the use of more active modes of transportation.
The NYS scoping plan summarized these costs for New York State when completing a cost-benefit analysis of three different climate action scenarios. The graph below, from chapter 10 of the plan, shows this analysis for the period 2020 - 2050 — the implementation costs of each scenario is on the left and the benefit value is on the right. The benefit value can be considered the cost of inaction, and as the graph illustrates, this cost is at least $400 billion (in current value) over the period.
If we divide up that cost equally among the residents of the state, Perinton’s “share” of the statewide cost of inaction is $940,120,080 from 2020 - 2050. Spread out over the 31 year time frame, that’s $30,326,454 — $638.73 per person — every year. For comparison, this is about 10% more than the Town of Perinton budget for 2026.
(For more information, you can also review the NYS Climate Assessment - there is a detailed economic analysis forthcoming, though the final date is uncertain.)
Monroe County’s recent Greenhouse Gas Inventory, described in Phase 2 of the county's Climate Action Plan, finds that 80% of emissions come from transportation (gasoline) and “energy use” which is essentially the “buildings” category used by NYS (that is, natural gas).
Fortunately, we have ready solutions to reduce our home and vehicle emissions right now! See our Goals and Strategies page for details.
Fairport Village Sustainability Plan (2010):
Goal 1: Reduce our use of non-renewable energy sources through conservation and utilize renewable energy sources when practical (p4)
1.4 Consider developing a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Perinton Comprehensive Plan (2021)
GOAL 4 Embrace the development of local renewable energy sources and alternative energy systems within the Town. (p 82)
Fairport Comprehensive Plan (2021)
Goal 10.0: Emphasize Environmental Sustainability & Climate Resiliency (p IV14 - 15)
1. Provide environmental leadership within the Village and for regional municipalities.
4. Recognize our ‘Carbon Future’ and take necessary actions to reduce emissions.
8. Recognize and leverage the Fairport Municipal Commission’s role as providing responsible electrical power
Monroe County Plan Forward (draft)
Trends linked to climate change are already impacting Monroe County residents and they are projected to continue and worsen. ...The current climate conditions and future projections highlight the urgent need for climate action planning. (p2-3)
We've highlighted several key action steps on our Goals and Strategies page. But getting to action takes political will.
We understand that fighting climate change can feel overwhelming. One response to that is to feel powerless to take responsibility for the ballooning problem now
But there is hope! Every ton of carbon dioxide we DON'T release into the atmosphere protects our children,and our children’s children, from paying the costs of our inaction many times over. Slowing down the rate of change will buy us time to adjust to a new climate system — instead of condemning it to continue to veer wildly
And many of the things we do now will start paying off immediately in health benefits, including cleaner air, quieter environments, safer transportation systems, and healthier populations.
Perinton is a community that cares deeply about its children. If we look back at the graph from the scoping document, we can see that investing in stopping climate change will require as much as $295 billion from 2020-2050. Perinton’s share of that cost is $693,250,000, or about $22.4 million per year. For comparison, that amount is equivalent to about 14% of the nearly $160 million Fairport Central School District Budget. Every May, thousands of voters — even those without children — vote in support of the FCSD budget.
Local voters approve our school taxes every year because they are understood to be an investment in the future. We believe that the good and generous people of Perinton see the up front costs of converting to clean energy the same way -- as an investment in the well-being of future generations.
The 40x30 committee meets every month -- usually at the Fairport Library -- to educate ourselves about climate solutions and work on advocacy with local leaders. We'd love for you to join us! Contact ginny@colorfairportgreen.org for more information.