As world leaders gather in New York City for the United Nations Climate Action Summit Monday, local voices joined in the cause to find solutions to a climate crisis that some predict could lead to dire consequences for future generations.

SUNY Orange students were among the many from around the nation and the world, Friday, who walked out of class for a few hours to commemorate a global day of climate action, raise awareness of climate issues and encourage more climate-friendly behavior. On Saturday, some 300 people gathered at SUNY New Paltz for the third-annual Climate Solutions Summit.The workshops and panels focused on renewable energy technologies like solar and heat pumps, energy efficiency, clean transportation, climate justice, clean energy careers, and organizing in our schools and communities for climate solutions from renewable energy planning to transit-oriented development.

The summit included a green vendor fair, a waste-free and vegan breakfast and lunch, and the second annual Zero Emissions Parade organized by New Paltz Climate Action Coalition, featuring marchers, bikers, and electric vehicles.

These demonstrations serve a purpose in starting conversations about climate solutions and the future of our planet, but the challenge comes in the days and weeks following these sessions and the close of the United National General Assembly, which hosted a climate summit. Progress will come when we think about what we can do in our homes, our places of business, our schools and in our communities.

Progress came to Ulster County last year, when it became the first in the state to ban single-use plastic bags in grocery and other retail stores. Progress occurs in the City of Newburgh, where a very active shade tree commission accepted some donated trees, and taught school-age children how to plant and care for them in a public park.

It also comes in the communities that encourage solar projects, mandate more energy efficient construction and provide quality public transportation and bike paths. It comes when our auto manufacturers produce affordable hybrid and electric vehicles for those of us who don’t have public transportation as an option and when take-out meals are brought home in reusable plastic containers, rather than styrofoam.

Speakers at the New Paltz climate conference lauded some ambitious solutions that may or may not be achieved in the near future. We know that years of neglect will not be undone overnight, but any course to the future needs a starting point.