A vibrant crowd gathered in the Finger Lakes this weekend, urging state leaders to enforce New York’s climate laws. The air, water, and economy of the region are at stake, and nearly 300 people—both in-person and online—joined local officials, faith leaders, environmentalists, scientists, and business owners for the rally on “Sun Day,” a national day of climate action.
At the heart of the rally was the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This important law aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health. However, supporters criticized state leaders for allowing harmful fossil fuel projects to continue, claiming they’ve missed crucial enforcement deadlines.
Yvonne Taylor of Seneca Lake Guardian highlighted the stakes, saying Governor Kathy Hochul’s inaction would not only hurt the Finger Lakes but could fail all of New York state. She and others listed several projects threatening the area:
- A fossil fuel-powered cryptomine at Greenidge Generation on Seneca Lake.
- The proposed expansion of Seneca Meadows, the largest landfill in New York.
- A data center planned along Cayuga Lake.
These developments clash with the state’s climate goals and threaten the region’s natural resources.
Voices from various sectors, including elected officials like Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles and Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, resonated during the event. Delgado emphasized, “This isn’t just about land use—it’s about our health, our kids, and our future.”
Experts weighed in too. Dr. Robert Howarth from Cornell University criticized the cryptomining at Greenidge as “indefensible” and pointed out that such outdated projects hamper efforts to cut emissions by 2040. Reverend Jane Winters called for action rooted in faith, questioning the care for creation when harmful projects are located near freshwater lakes.
Local businesses echoed these sentiments. Vinny Aliperti from Billsboro Winery stressed that clean water and a stable climate are crucial for the region’s tourism economy. “Businesses can’t thrive if our resources are contaminated,” he said.
Sachem Sam George of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) Nation reminded everyone that protecting the land is a sacred duty. Brady Fergusson from the Climate Solutions Accelerator noted that enforcing New York’s laws would position the state as a leader in climate action.
At the rally, emotions ran high, but the message was clear: people demand strong climate leadership now. With increasing urgency surrounding climate change, events like this reflect a growing consensus—that protecting the environment benefits everyone, whether for public health, local economies, or future generations.
For more information about New York’s climate laws and regulations, you can check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Source link
Top
