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Sunrise member Siobhan Hull speaking at a rally. Laura Mead.
Who we are
Who we are
Sunrise Ithaca is a local youth-led climate justice organization, made up of volunteers. We're a hub of the national Sunrise Movement. We focus on topics surrounding the Ithaca Green New Deal, but we also support other movements for justice: in Tompkins County, New York State and more broadly. We welcome anyone, regardless of experience or age, to get involved, but we pride ourselves on creating a space where youth voices are prioritized.
Sunrise mural in downtown Ithaca. Painted by Dan Burgevin (Ithaca Murals).
What we do
What we do
We spearheaded the Ithaca Green New Deal and Justice50, resolutions focused on making Ithaca more sustainable - in terms of minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing inequities, and strengthening local civic engagement. We continue to work to build community and coalition around an Ithaca that everybody can thrive in.
Our advocacy involves working with city government, doing community outreach, and building public pressure through rallies, petitions, public comments, and more.
Discussion at Justice50 Community Meeting, February 2024. Aaron Fernando.
How to get involved
How to get involved
The more different voices, the stronger our movement.
With Sunrise, there's various levels of commitment - from donating, to attending our big events when we host them, to participating in weekly hub meetings, to taking on a leadership position. Whatever your availability, if you email us at sunrise.ithaca.ny@gmail.com, we will find a way for you to get involved.
Our work in climate justice doubles as work in youth leadership development. Whatever your passions, experience, or talents, there's a place for you in our movement. We provide opportunities to learn and practice key advocacy and leadership skills, and we meet people where they're at.
Being involved in an organization like Sunrise means having a voice at the table. As youth, we know this can't be taken for granted.
What's the Ithaca Green New Deal?
What's the Ithaca Green New Deal?
The Ithaca Green New Deal (IGND) was adopted in 2019 by the City of Ithaca, committing the City to addressing climate change and other systemic issues. Pushed forward by Sunrise Ithaca, the IGND is the framework for climate action by the city government and establishes the following goals:
The Ithaca Green New Deal (IGND) was adopted in 2019 by the City of Ithaca, committing the City to addressing climate change and other systemic issues. Pushed forward by Sunrise Ithaca, the IGND is the framework for climate action by the city government and establishes the following goals:
Achieve community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030
Ensure benefits are shared among all local communities to reduce historical social and economic inequities
Meet the electricity needs of government operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2025
Reduce emissions from the city vehicle fleet by 50% by 2025
Here is the City's page on the IGND and the IGND Scorecard from Climate Reality.
What's Justice50?
What's Justice50?
Justice50 was passed unanimously in May 2024, following years of advocacy by Sunrise Ithaca. It is a framework for the City to reduce inequities by prioritizing disadvantaged communities (CJCs). CJCs are communities (including households) that bear a disproportionate burden of the negative impacts of climate change. They include, but are not limited to, communities struggling with food insecurity, with a household income <65% of the median county income, or with disabilities. The full criteria to be a climate justice community are found on page 9 of this document.
Justice50 was passed unanimously in May 2024, following years of advocacy by Sunrise Ithaca. It is a framework for the City to reduce inequities by prioritizing disadvantaged communities (CJCs). CJCs are communities (including households) that bear a disproportionate burden of the negative impacts of climate change. They include, but are not limited to, communities struggling with food insecurity, with a household income <65% of the median county income, or with disabilities. The full criteria to be a climate justice community are found on page 9 of this document.
Justice50 will:
Justice50 will:
Commit to direct at least 50% of IGND funds to invest in Climate Justice Communities.
Establish a goal of 40% of participants in green jobs, workforce training, and development to identify as climate justice individuals.
Allocate 10% of the City Capital Project Budget to Participatory Budgeting.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
If you'd like to incorporate our Ithaca Climate Action and More calendar into your own Google Calendar, you can do so here.
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