We question the Post-Journal’s reluctance to support Proposition 1: Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bonds Act of 2022. In his October 25th column, ‘Environmental laws are tough’ The editors of the paper said that the bond law “good idea” In theory, bonds are a proper use of state dollars, but they suggest that there are problems with the labor requirements to pay workers the prevailing wages. “Adding $4.2 billion of debt to New York’s budget is premature.” Additionally, the Observer’s position reflects a general distrust of state governments’ ability to spend and track wisely.
The editors of this paper agree that climate change puts us in dire danger, but predict that the price of significant action is too high. We are ignoring the cost of the case. Hurricane Sandy alone cost him $32 billion. Hurricane Ian’s damage is estimated at $67 billion. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Federal wildfire suppression costs in the United States soared from an average of about $425 million annually from 1985 to 1999 to $1.6 billion from 2000 to 2019, according to National Interagency Fire Center data. Did.” This does not include life-threatening costs. Inaction comes at a price too high to pay. When will there be a better time to invest in our children’s future and make New York State the green leader in the state?
The proposed bond law would allow the NYS to take out debt totaling up to $4,200,000,000 for certain capital projects to protect, enhance, and restore New York’s natural resources and to make environmental improvements that mitigate the effects of climate change. Permission to hold and sell bonds. Projects under the Bond Act include climate change mitigation, including funding for school bus electrification. Recovery and flood risk mitigation. Open space land conservation and recreation. Water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure. The Bond Act also ensures that at least 35% of the money goes to underprivileged communities. Communities whose members are contributing the least to the climate crisis are often forced to pay the highest costs, as evidenced by Hurricane Katrina’s most devastating impact.
The bond law will strengthen the economy by creating more jobs. A high paying job in a green industry that supports a family. The recent Retool Jamestown conference highlighted the economic benefits that can be harvested through green energy. The conference will highlight the wide range of opportunities available to Southwest Tier manufacturers and suppliers to access climate technology experts, innovators and investors who believe the region can thrive in this emerging sector. focused on. The fastest growing occupation in our country is in the field of solar and wind energy.
The Bond Act furthers our commitment to clean water and air by strengthening programs designed to protect them. Low-income families and communities of color suffer disproportionately from air pollution, toxin exposure, and lack of green space. Law can help address these injustices. It expands New York’s environmental programs and provides programs to create parks, protect and improve family farms, revitalize waterfront, and restore habitats for birds, fish, and other wildlife. . Bond laws promote preventive action by targeting harmful pollution and helping protect communities from the increasing risks of global warming.
We urge voters to VOTE YES on Proposition 1: Green Bonds for Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Act of 2022. This measure will be printed on the back of the ballot. The climate crisis is upon us as storms, floods, heatwaves, wildfires and droughts become more severe. It is imperative that our states vote yes to support action to address the climate crisis and its devastating potential. , asking for help. Answer the phone or ignore the nagging warnings?
LoVetra Rose, Janey Wagner, Bill Moran, Diane Clark, and Judi Lutz-Woods are members of the Green Sanctuary team of Northern Chautauqua’s Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
