Climate Emergency
Climate Emergency
Tackling New York's Climate Emergency
New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 commits to 100% zero emission electricity by 2040, and a reduction of at least 85% below 1990-level GHG emissions by 2050. Join experts from Environmental Advocates NY as they discuss the roadmap for accomplishing this ambitious goal (see Climate Action Council Draft Scoping Plan below).
Tackling New York's Climate Emergency
Climate Action Council Draft Scoping Plan
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) was signed into law in 2019 as one of the most ambitious climate laws in the world. The law created the Climate Action Council (the Council), which is tasked with developing a Draft Scoping Plan that serves as an initial framework for how the State will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and ensure climate justice. On December 20, the Council voted to release the Draft Scoping Plan for public comment. January 1, 2022 marks the beginning of a comment period to receive feedback from the public as the Council works to develop and release a final scoping plan by the end of 2022.
League Adoption of Climate Change Resolution
At its June 2021 biannual convention, the League of Women Voters of New York State’s members unanimously adopted a resolution declaring climate change an emergency and advising the League’s 46 local chapters to implore state and local governments to adopt and publicize Declarations of Climate Emergency.
Declarations of Climate Emergency acknowledge that humanity is in a climate emergency and encourage governments to plan next steps for climate change mitigation. The resolution cited damage to marine ecosystems and food sources, a rise in sea levels resulting in flooding and the displacement of coastal businesses and residences, extreme weather events, adverse impacts on human health, and species extinctions as grounds for state and local governments to declare climate change an emergency and take action.