How many employees work at Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences?

About Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Cornell Climate Smart Communities introduces students to the vibrant world of sub-national and non-state climate change science, policy, and action. Sub-national (regional, state and local governments) and non-state (non-governmental) actors are becoming increasingly important in climate change governance. New York is a state leader on climate change and passed the most ambitious state law in the country, the “Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act” in 2019. But New York will have a difficult challenge meeting its goals without large GHG reductions from businesses, farms, and communities. Local municipalities have considerable power to address environmental and land use issues within their jurisdiction but often lack the capacity to plan for, or implement, climate change projects at the local level. The Cornell Climate Stewards Program was developed to train volunteers across the state who can help their communities become NYS Climate Smart Communities Links to an external site.. Students will critically analyze the theory of multilevel governance and the importance of non-state and sub-national actors working at multiple levels, and learn about the process of climate change policymaking and action at the state and local levels in New York. Student teams will be formed to work on several projects related to the content of the Climate Stewards Program, and to work with partner organizations and agencies.