With a New Era in D.C., New York Must Do More to Combat Climate Change
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
It’s been a head-spinning week. President Trump, as promised, promulgated a blizzard of executive orders on Day One. Since climate is my chief concern, I’ll start there.
Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accords. Every country in the world but Iran, Yemen and Sudan – and now us – participates. What company we keep! He declared a bogus “energy emergency” to facilitate development of oil and gas – but not wind or solar energy – and shut down future leases of federal waters for offshore wind development. If there was really an energy emergency, wouldn’t we want all sources of energy?
Meanwhile, wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles, which Trump ridiculously blames on Democratic leaders not making water available to put them out. No mention of an underlying cause: 2024 was the hottest year on record. Oh right, climate change is a “hoax.”
All the more reason that states and municipalities have to be the adults in the room on climate. So where is Gov. Kathy Hochul? Her recently released executive budget was disappointing by not including the next big things New York needs: the cap-and-invest program and the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY HEAT Act) to make polluters pay and save New Yorkers money.
Now our legislative leaders should bring Gov. Hochul to the table and get these vital climate programs in the final budget. In this new Trump era, more than ever, New Yorkers need our leaders to do the right thing.
Jeff Schumann
Croton-on-Hudson
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