On March 7, 2022, climate justice groups from all over the state converged on Albany to participate in a rally staged by New York Renews, the statewide coalition of more than 100 organizations dedicated to environmental justice and transformation. Over 500 people were in attendance.
Demonstrators and legislators alike have demanded $15 billion in funding for green infrastructure projects and climate justice communities (CJCs), but, according to NY Renews, roughly $6 billion has been allocated to support environmental justice and transformation initiatives — $4 billion or so below the bare minimum that the New York State Energy & Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) says is necessary for the state to do its part in addressing the climate crisis.
“We didn’t get exactly what the communities need or what the science demands,” Victor Davila, a community organizer, said during the April 6 NY Renews Zoom call.
“The option was zero, but, ultimately, we got billions. And while we need billions more to respond to the threats we are facing, that is still a start" - Victor Davila
“We should all be proud of the work we did do this campaign. Without this, we could have gotten nothing,” the Bronx-native continued before a virtual audience of at least 80 coalition members. “The option was zero, but, ultimately, we got billions. And while we need billions more to respond to the threats we are facing, that is still a start.”
The Albany rally
We were among the hundreds of people who traveled to the New York State Capitol on March 7. BB Productions documented the rally from start to finish, interviewing demonstrators while capturing public addresses made by organizers and lawmakers throughout. NY Renews also documented the rally, which you can watch here.
After 11:00 a.m., a crowd of people gathered around the Gen. Philip Henry Sheridan Memorial to listen to a series of speeches from fervent community leaders who emphasized the importance of securing funding for climate action.
Some demonstrators held banners while others carried signs, many of which had “$15B for climate justice” printed on them. “Climate inaction has a body count,” one banner read.
Before marching to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s mansion, we heard from Davila and Gabriel Silva, a community organizer with Citizen Action New York, among others. Each speaker spoke about how climate change isn’t a distant threat, also highlighting how their communities will continue to be negatively (and, in some cases, disproportionately) impacted if climate leadership fails to fulfill its obligations to the public.
Demonstrators lined the brick wall outside the mansion. It wasn't long before demonstrators flooded the street and began chanting — everyone joined in.
Then, they marched back to the State Capitol where the crowd heard from organizers and lawmakers representing communities from across the state.
This came after a land acknowledgement. In the 17th century, Dutch Gen. Philip Henry Sheridan dispossessed Indigenous people from five different tribes..
Which way forward?
It’s unclear if the state will be able to play catch up on its climate commitments when deciding the budget next year. Many are hoping that New York lawmakers will heed the calls of the youth-driven climate movement before the next budget season.
NY Renews invoked the third and final International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in an April 11 press release.
“The recent IPCC report does not mince words—the time to adequately address the climate crisis is dwindling. We simply don’t have time to revisit this issue year after year,” it stated. “Climate change is upon us and will not offer the residents of our state respite while lawmakers quibble over appropriate funding amounts to avert a crisis the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) estimates will cost the state tens of billions annually… according to NYSERDA, investments at scale would result in myriad economic and health benefits.”
The release also noted that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA, lacks the funding needed to initiate a green transformation across the state.
“The CLCPA is a bold policy that requires bold spending to prevent it from becoming an unfunded mandate" - NY Renews
“The CLCPA is a bold policy that requires bold spending to prevent it from becoming an unfunded mandate,” the press release stated. “NY Renews demands the [Gov.] and State Legislature do the right thing and do right by New Yorkers by effectively funding our climate law while investing in a regenerative economy that fuels the future of our state without polluting it or putting the people at increased risk.”
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