TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | APRIL 1 - APRIL 7, 2022
15
New York needs a $15 billion investment toward climate justice
BY ASSEMBLYWOMAN JESSICA
GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS
In August 2021, Tropical
Storm Ida flooded New York’s
subway stations and tunnels,
submerged businesses and
homes, and killed 13 people,
at least 11 of whom were from
Queens.
The storm unleashed far
more rain than was expected
and revealed how far New
York still has to go to build
sustainable communities.
Storms like Ida will only
become more frequent and severe
if New York continues to
drag its feet on implementing
the Climate Leadership and
Community Protection Act, the
state’s landmark climate bill
and model for the federal government’s
Justice 40.
That’s why I’m calling on
Governor Hochul and legislative
leadership to include $15
billion in climate justice funding
for the 2022–2023 fiscal
year, and increase funding in
the years to come.
The Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change’s latest
report reaffirms what Queens
residents already know: the
climate crisis is already here.
Coastal cities like New York
need plans to keep people safe
from storms and rising seas,
and reverse decades of bad policies
that have perpetuated environmental
injustice.
Low-income neighborhoods,
communities of color and immigrant
communities have borne
the burden of environmental
inequalities for decades.
My district, Assembly District
34, which encompasses
Corona, East Elmhurst, Jackson
Heights and Woodside, and
comprises nearly 90% people of
color, was among the hardest
hit during Tropical Storm Ida,
for example.
Right now, New York has
the opportunity to invest funds
in climate justice measures
that would allow communities
across the state to thrive, including
my own.
NY Renews, a coalition of
over 320 community-based labor,
environmental justice,
faith and climate groups, first
introduced the $15 billion investment
in climate justice
funding campaign.
The $15 billion figure was
adopted from the New York
State Energy Research & Development
Authority, which estimates
that New York state must
invest a minimum of $10 billion
annually, with increases every
year, to reduce climate risks.
Included in the proposed funding
is $5 billion toward a Community
Just Transition Fund,
which would provide grants to
community organizations that
allow them to create local climate,
adaptation and resiliency
projects, particularly in frontline
communities like my own.
It would also provide funding
for disadvantaged communities
across the state to
develop their own grassroots
transition solutions, such as cooperative
solar projects and urban
and rural food sovereignty
initiatives.
It’s vital that we shift control
out of the hands of powerful
technocrats to a broad base
of community members who
are hit first and worst by climate
and environmental catastrophes.
While a $15 billion annual
investment may seem steep,
the truth is that New York state
already loses over $27 billion
each year in climate pollution
costs.
This number will only increase,
as will needless deaths
in our city. Scaling up investments
is vital to the health,
well-being and survival of our
communities.
I’m proud to fight for my
constituents by advocating for
the inclusion of $15 billion in
New York state’s 2022-2023 budget
toward climate justice.
If Governor Hochul and legislative
leadership agree to
this investment, New York will
be taking a significant step toward
creating an equitable, just
and green future.
Jessica González-Rojas is the
assemblywoman representing
District 34, which encompasses
the neighborhoods of Corona,
East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights
and Woodside.
OP-ED
ON THE WEB
VISIT US ONLINE AT QNS.COM
CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES:
www.facebook.com/timesledger
www.twitter.com/TimesLedger
www.instagram.com/qnsgram
LETTERS POLICY
Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten, and those longer than 300 words
may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters must include the writer’s name
and phone number for verifi cation. Names may be withheld from publication if
requested, but anonymously sent letters will not be printed. Letters must be received
by Thursday noon to appear in the next week’s paper. All letters become
the property of Schneps Media and may be republished in any format.
LAST WEEK’S TOP STORY:
Hit CBS show ‘Blue Bloods’ films in Rego Park
SUMMARY: Fans were excited to see that the hit television show “Blue
Bloods,” starring Tom Selleck as the NYC police commissioner, was
filming in Rego Park on Wednesday, March 23. The filming took place
on 63rd Drive and the surrounding area, including the Lot-Less store on
Queens Boulevard, which was closed to customers for the day.
/QNS.COM
/TimesLedger
/qnsgram
/QNS.COM
/timesledger
/timesledger
/TimesLedger
/qnsgram
