Here’s what we’re reading this week:
The Hochul Administration: Three Months In
As soon as Kathy Hochul was sworn in as Governor it became clear that she would be consciously implementing an environmentally-focused policy agenda. New York State has some of the most ambitious goals in the country, outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and Governor Hochul has shown that she is working to ensure that those goals are met. Now, at the three-month mark of her tenure, we review some of the exciting advancements in New York State’s fight against climate change.
Green Tips: Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer some of the best annual sales. However, they are also the heaviest consumerism days of the year, intensifying an already significant problem of electronic, clothing, and plastic waste. A 2019 survey found that up to 61% percent of Americans received an unwanted gift during the holidays, much of which will end up in landfills. Below are some tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint this season while still enjoying the discounts.
The U.S. House on Friday morning passed President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Act, and Democrats in New York said it would bring back billions of dollars to the state. The $2 trillion package would overhaul the nation's spending on health care, education and climate, with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%. It also includes $105 billion nationally to address extreme weather and improve resiliency to address major storms and flooding, which has been a problem along the state's coastline.
Two years ago, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed climate legislation that included 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 and a carbon-free economy by 2050. Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, thinks the help of utilities like ConEd is needed to achieve those goals. "The fact they are saying we are going to do this by 2040 is, I think, a very big commitment," Tighe said. "It's leadership that we need across our utilities and across our major industries."
(NY1)
Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, added, “There’s no question that fossil fuels are bad for the environment and extremely economically volatile. We need to prioritize clean fuels and electric options for cars and trucks, as well as reliable and convenient mass transit and micro mobility alternatives. These are not just environmental issues, but kitchen-table issues as well.”
The House took action and passed the Build Back Better Act this week, just days after climate activists and labor organizations urged congressional representatives to vote yes to support funding to address climate change. Tuesday on the Long Beach waterfront, NYLCV joined a coalition calling for Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) to vote for the bill and $555 billion in funding for issues including wind and electric power. Activists called on Rice, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and other congressional representatives to pass the bill on the heels of the $1 trillion infrastructure package signed Monday by President Joe Biden.
(Newsday)
No comments:
Post a Comment