Letters

It’s Time to Accelerate Transition to Clean Energy Before it’s Too Late

Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

We are part of The Trust Project

The recent intense deluges, designated locally as a “state of emergency,” is starting to feel like a state of normalcy. (“Yorktown Declares State of Emergency After Heavy Rainfall,” July 10)

Earth’s warming climate is leading to frequent, severe weather events, including wildfires worsening air quality to critical levels and heavy rainfall causing intense flooding.

​As a high school student, my future will be constantly interrupted by these disastrous weather events. The cause – the greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels – continues: The United States relies on oil, gas and coal for nearly 80 percent of its energy consumption.

​But there is room for hope. We can stave off the worst impacts of the climate crisis if we implement the clean energy transition quickly enough. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar, combined with utility-scale battery storage, can eliminate the need for fossil fuels.

In order to reach New York’s clean energy mandates under our 2019 climate law, there is a critical need to expand offshore wind, and quickly. This energy may not serve us directly in Westchester, but it will reduce the overall need for fossil fuels to generate electricity statewide.

​Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York’s Public Service Commissioner Rory Christian have already commendably supported offshore wind, including the South Fork Wind and Beacon Wind projects. Now, I ask that Gov. Hochul publicly support another needed project, Empire Wind 2, in order to ensure a safe and livable future for me and my friends.

Sofia Choudhri
Briarcliff Manor

We'd love for you to support our work by joining as a free, partial access subscriber, or by registering as a full access member. Members get full access to all of our content, and receive a variety of bonus perks like free show tickets. Learn more here.