New York State Senate Committee Hears Testimony on Proposed Climate Change Protection Act

By Tywanna Webb

Throughout the day on Thursday, the New York State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee heard passionate testimonies on the proposed legislation that strives to eliminate human-caused climate change by 2050.

The Climate Change Protection Act, CCPA, creates a pathway to what would be the highest standard nationwide for the reduction in gas emissions and pollution. The bill mandates the shift to renewable energy and provides help in this regard for disadvantage communities. It also seeks to provide green jobs in communities that need them.

Senator Todd Kaminsky (D) led the discussion, and his colleagues Senator Jen Metzger(D), Senator Robert Jackson (D) and Assemblymember Judy Griffin, were also present.

“I’ll tell you honesty Senator, I am scared,” Sandra Steingraber, an ecologist and author who teaches at Itacha College, told the legislators.

Steinberg began her testimony with a personal story, sharing that her son had to change his position in her womb in order to be delivered safely.

“In order to be born, my son had to radically change his position. He did. In order to survive, we have to do the same,” Steinberg said, emotionally declaring her support of the CCPA.

The committee heard over 25 testimonies from members of various organizations, including Rise and Resist, the Jewish Climate Action Network, 32BJ Service Employees International Union, the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance and others.

“We need this legislation,” said Dr. Stephen Pekar, a professor at CUNY Queens College and a research scientist at Columbia University. Pekar warned that failure to address rising sea levels will result in further devastation, comparable to the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

The committee strived to hear all testimony, working through lunch to ensure everyone was heard. Outside of the building, supporters of the CCPA rallied to bring awareness to the impact of climate change.

A crowd of over 50 activists gathered with signs reading #PasstheCCPA. Prior to the Senate Hearing, the group rallied on the steps of City Hall.

“For many of us, the most important thing is that not only does the bill get passed, but it also gets enforced and implemented quickly because it’s not going to happen overnight and climate change is not waiting for us, “ said Leslie Cagan with the People’s Climate Movement of New York.

Support of the CCPA is about equity for groups, including disadvantaged ones, throughout the state, it was said.

“The CCPA requires that 40 percent of future energy investments are in disadvantaged communities,” said Adrien Salazar. “This would create good jobs and protect the communities that are at most risk.”

Salazar is a member of DEMOS, a policy organization. He said the CCPA “is the boldest climate legislation on the table for New York” and said he hopes that it will pass in the very near future.

This is the second of three hearings. The next hearing will take place on Friday in Mineloa, Long Island.