With the record-breaking winds and rain of 2017’s Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and with Puerto Rico still recovering from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria, it is undeniable that we are living through the effects of global climate change. It will likely get worse before it gets better – and while the technologies and policies exist to effectively confront this existential threat to the planet, capitalism keeps them from flourishing.
Yet, while the federal government is unabashedly in the pocket of the energy industry, grassroots demands to confront climate change are occuring at unprecedented levels. Nearly a quarter million people marched at the People’s Climate March last year, making it the largest-ever climate demonstration in D.C.
Such activism is far from simply symbolic – it has produced results. After five years of exerting pressure on New York City Hall, the #DivestNY Coalition, made up of over 30 organizations, pushed Mayor De Blasio to both begin divesting $5 billion dollars in city pensions from the fossil fuel industry and file a lawsuit against five of the largest oil companies. In 2017, the NYC-DSA Climate Justice Working Group joined the front lines of this effort, mobilizing people to protests, bird-dogging City Comptroller Scott Stringer, and running a petition drive with NYC public unions to divest pension funds from fossil fuels.
Seeing the real successes that can come from climate activism, NYC-DSA Climate Justice is now eager to mobilize as many DSAers as possible to participate in the Cuomo: Walk The Talk on Climate! rally in Albany on April 23rd. Bringing together the NY Renews coalition of environmental, labor, and community organizations from across the state, the rally will make three demands on the governor: an end to all fracking infrastructure projects, 100% renewable energy by 2030, and funding New York’s energy transition by making corporate polluters pay. At a moment when Cuomo is trying desperately to prove his progressive credentials in an election year, this is an opportune moment to push Albany to enact transformative environmental legislation.
Register now for Cuomo: Walk The Talk!!
Monday, April 23 from 12 to 5 pm
New York State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224
Click the Register link for more details, including bus pick-up locations!
And if you can’t make it to Albany on the 23rd, the Climate Justice group is looking for people to picket a fundraiser Cuomo will be attending April 19 at The Cornell Club, 6th E 44th Street. The picketing begins at 5:30pm – Sign up here.