When it comes to protecting the climate, Vanessa Fajans-Turner is in it for the long haul.  In fact, after many years of environmental work, her commitment to climate and social justice motivated Vanessa to run for Congress in 2022.  Congressional campaigns involve driving all over the district to meet with constituents, so Vanessa made the decision to offset these unavoidable CO2 travel emissions.  And she knew just where to go to do this: “The Finger Lakes Climate Fund is a really well known and respected organization here in Tompkins County and beyond…” she says.

Vanessa also knows several people (aka Climate Heroes!) who made their homes more energy efficient and got off fossil fuels with assistance from a Finger Lakes Climate Fund grant.  She says, “it’s an honor to donate to offset our emissions because I know that this money will be used by Sustainable Finger Lakes to help others in this community right here.”

In May 2022, following the release of newly redrawn district maps, Vanessa made the difficult decision to end her Congressional campaign.  However, she notes that “with new data out that shows that the world is on track to exceed 1.5°C of warming within the next five years,” we cannot let up our efforts.  We look forward to seeing where Vanessa applies her talents and experience next, as she continues this important work.  She is someone who truly “walks the walk.”