Groups Honor 51st Annual Earth Day with Virtual Capitol Advocacy
HUNDREDS OF NY COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES TO MEET 60+ POLICYMAKERS
ALBANY, NY - Seeking environmental justice for NY communities, increased safety from harmful chemicals for families and firefighters, and protections for land and water, hundreds of community advocates from across the Empire State held zoom conferences with more than 60 state legislators today during the 51st Earth Day Celebration and Advocacy Day.
The morning program's speakers included Acting Deputy Secretary for Energy and the Environment Carrie Gallagher from the Governor's office, Senate Enviornmental Conservation Committee Chair Todd Kaminsky, and Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright.
The diverse coalition of two dozen New York activist groups discussed a package of 10 legislative bills seeking to improve environmental health; increase protections for families, firefighters, and public schoolchildren; and a bill calling for assessment of cumulative impact when siting pollution producing structures within low-income communities and communities of color.
“With this powerful slate of bills that address a wide swath of environmental issues, we call on state legislators and the Governor to make the 2021 legislative session an important one for environmental and health protections,” said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean and Healthy New York. “And while they may look like they cover very different topics - land conservation, consideration of community opinions and cumulative impacts in siting, banning toxic chemicals in couches and the products we put on our bodies daily, restricting bee-killing pesticides, setting drinking water standards and more - they’re all critical parts of building the just and healthy society we all want for ourselves and generations to come.”
Urging action for environmental justice, the group urged greater consideration of the overall cumulative impact of siting polluting facilities in at-risk communities.
"Earth Week is the perfect time to talk about environmental justice, clean water, chemicals and pesticides, land conservation, and more," said Sonal Jessel, Director of Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. "The agenda for Earth Day Advocacy Day represents a variety of environmental issues that must be addressed to ensure the health of our communities and our natural areas. Communities of color and low income have been bearing the brunt of environmental harms with high rates of lead poisoning, siting of multiple toxic facilities, toxic chemicals in cosmetics, and far more environmental injustices. This suite of bills contains major changes that can improve the health of communities, so WE ACT is excited to work with our State legislators to take action on the bills."
The advocates also sought requirements to increase recycling, reduce waste and ban the use of certain pesticides that kill pollinators such as bees.
“What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with an event that highlights so many aspects of the environmental movement! This legislative agenda will protect our water, land and pollinators, as well as address solid waste, toxics, and environmental justice issues. This agenda will prove to be truly transformative for New York.” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE). “Enacting paper and packaging EPR will reduce waste, increase recycling, save taxpayers money, and protect our treasured waters. Banning certain uses of neonicotinoid pesticides will go a long way in protecting our pollinator populations, food production, and environment. CCE is proud to stand with our environmental colleagues and advocates from across the State in calling on the New York State Legislature to take action on these issues and more this Earth Day!”
“Birds are telling us that we need to act now to restore our earth, and this Earth Week, we will help to build a greener future for all by advocating on behalf of the places people and wildlife need to survive. We are calling on our elected leaders to create a brighter future for birds and people by passing durable and inclusive policies that will protect our environment,” said Erin McGrath, Policy Manager for Audubon New York. “Audubon strongly supports efforts to conserve 30% of our State’s lands by 2030, pass the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, defend birds from the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides, and protect all of our wetlands. We are honored to stand with our partners and champions in the New York State Legislature in support of these proposals.”
Included in the package that activists discussed with legislators are measures to protect the state’s open spaces and fight climate change.
“New York’s open spaces provide a diverse public benefits, including clean water, access to nature, and securing the source of our food. Increasingly, these lands are recognized for their ability to sequester carbon and help protect communities from severe storms caused by climate change,” said Andy Bicking, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for Scenic Hudson. “Now is the time to focus New York State on protecting these resources. The 30 by 30 legislation will ensure that New York State retains its leadership position on the environment by protecting 30% of the state’s open space resources by 2030.”
“Research shows the majority of the neonic pesticides that are killing bees, hollowing out ecosystems, and extensively contaminating New York water are simply not needed or are replaceable with safer alternatives,” said Dan Raichel, Acting Director of NRDC’s Pollinator Initiative. “The Birds and Bees Protection Act puts an end to these needless uses, so the state can start tackling the widespread destruction they cause, ultimately benefiting the state’s pollinators, ecosystems, and people.”
Calling for quick action on the package of bills, activists would like to see action by Earth Day, Thursday, April 22nd.
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, "This Earth Week, we are thrilled to join our legislative and advocacy partners to champion policies that will protect our environment and fight climate change. Enacting these priorities - which we also included in our Policy Agenda - would reduce waste, help eliminate toxins from our environment, improve drinking water, and conserve our open spaces. We call on the State Legislature to take action on these bills by Earth Day."
Liz Moran, Environmental Policy Director for NYPIRG, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted why it is critical to adopt policies that protect public health and the environment. New York has made important strides in recent years to fight the climate crisis, protect water, and reduce solid waste - but the work is far from over. This suite of legislation shows the gravity of the work left to do, and NYPIRG urges passage this session to expand emerging contaminant testing in drinking water, expand wetlands protections, and more.”
Activists also took the opportunity to praise the Governor and Legislative leaders for their consideration of environmental issues in the recently passed state budget.
“As New York strives to implement the nation leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, there is still so much work to be done to protect our communities and remaining wild places from chemical contamination, habitat destruction, and water pollution,” said Roger Downs, Conservation Director for the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. “On this Legislative Earth Day, we commend the Senate, Assembly and Governor for a passing strong environmental budget and urge them to continue their work to protect our fragile natural world – especially in the context of our most disadvantaged communities that already bear a disproportionate burden of pollution and are the most impacted by climate change.”
Recognizing the need for safe, potable water for New York’s communities, supporters urge legislators to ban further use of harmful pesticides and toxins in the state.
Eve Gartner, Managing Attorney of Earthjustice’s Toxic Exposure and Health Program, said “This Earth Day, advocates from across New York will call on the State Legislature to pass critical environmental and public health legislation. Drinking water testing for emerging contaminants and restrictions on the use of hazardous chemicals in consumer products will reduce toxic exposures and safeguard public health; extended public participation requirements will ensure that all New Yorkers have a voice in decisions that impact their communities; and limitations on the use of dangerous neonicotinoid pesticides will protect workers, vulnerable pollinator species, and our state’s food systems. Earthjustice is proud to join our partners in urging our elected leaders to support this important legislative agenda.”
Christine Appah, Senior Staff Attorney, Environmental Justice Program, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, said, “Today’s environmental challenges demand new and innovative policy solutions. Earth Week is a time for us to highlight and advocate for ways in which we can help to shape a more sustainable and equitable New York for generations to come. The policy solutions that we advance can help us to reach that goal. We appreciate this opportunity to share our commitment to environmental justice and a healthier future for all.”
“On Earth Day, we can celebrate New York State’s long history of environmental leadership—something that should continue in this session, as the Legislature takes aim at phasing out unnecessary and harmful flame retardant chemicals in everyday household products that expose kids and firefighters to serious health threat,” said Rich Schrader, New York Political Director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).
Supporters also pushed for the state, long a national leader in renewable power, to continue investment in the renewable industry, bringing more green jobs to New York.
“During Earth Week 2021, we are pleased to join advocacy friends to celebrate New York's leadership on climate action through legislative policy for building renewable energy projects that support wind power, solar, hydropower, and bring sustainable jobs to communities throughout New York,” said Kathleen Gasperini, Director of Communications and Marketing for Alliance for Clean Energy NY.
"Implementing the ambitious and urgently needed goals New York's Climate Act (CLCPA) will take a clear plan and adequate funding, Likewise, protecting healthy watersheds and ensuring safe drinking water is also a very high priority. We are grateful for a budget that addresses these and other environmental issues and promotes climate solutions and equity, but there is still much work to be done," said Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Action Director for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc.
Business leaders across New York State make the economic case for this slate of bills.
“A healthy environment and citizenry is essential to a strong economy,” said Bob Rossi, Executive Director of the New York Sustainable Business Council. “These bills represent some of the most urgent steps such as fixing our recycling programs, conserving our natural lands, testing our drinking water, protecting pollinators, banning toxic chemicals, and addressing cumulative impacts. Especially now, as we rebuild from a devastating pandemic, we must safeguard our local economies by protecting all New Yorkers and our shared natural environment. Our business leaders call on the State Legislature to take action now.”
The event is cosponsored by Alliance for Clean Energy NY, Arbor Hill Development Corporation, Audubon New York, Catskill Mountainkeeper. Citizens Campaign for the Environment. Clean and Healthy New York, Earthjustice, Environmental Advocates NY, Green Inside & Out, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, New York League of Conservation Voters, New York Public Interest Research Group, New York Sustainable Business Council, NYS American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2, and 3, PUSH Buffalo, Rebuild by Design, Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, Waterfront Alliance, WE ACT for Environmental Justice
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