Despite being a leader on climate action, New York is in danger of falling short on its climate goals – but Dayenu is mobilizing with partners to ensure we keep up the pressure on policymakers. In June, New Yorkers showed up to provide input and put pressure on Governor Hochul to implement a strong cap on pollution in the state.
Dozens of Jewish climate activists brought moral might and people power to hearings at the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to speak out about the urgent need to release the regulations for Cap-Trade-and-Invest (CTI).
Rallying outside, speaking at press conferences, and testifying in front of the DEC, we made sure that state officials understand how closely we are paying attention to this issue, and how urgent it is to expedite CTI. Dayenu has been organizing for months, working in close collaboration with NY Renews, which consists of a broad coalition of climate-concerned organizations in New York.
On June 4, we showed up in Albany, and on June 12, we rallied in Long Island City, Queens. Rocky Stern, Dayenu Campus Organizer, says the hearing room in Queens was packed with more than 35 people waiting to give testimony.
“So many people wanted to speak that it lasted over two hours. Everyone spoke in favor of Cap-and-Trade – there was no opposition. We had great representation, including several young people.”
Yasher koach to the Dayenu leaders who mobilized their communities to attend and make noise, including Bronx Jews for Climate Action, Temple Shaaray Tefillah, Washington Heights Dayenu Circle, CBE Dayenu Circle.
At a time when the fossil fuel industry has hijacked federal policymaking, it’s critically important to keep up the pressure on lawmakers at the state level to keep making progress on climate action.
Photos from the hearings below. Photos: Mackey Landy
New Yorkers: there’s still time to make your voice heard. Submit your remarks today.
Remarks from Rabbi Jennie Rosenn at the DEC hearing
My name is Rabbi Jennie Rosenn and I am from Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action. But more importantly, I stand here today as a New Yorker, a mother, and a rabbi.
It is sadly no exaggeration to say that our federal government has been fully hijacked by corporate polluters and that our nation’s foundational climate protections are being decimated. And so it has never been more imperative for states to stand up and act quickly, decisively, and boldly.
As a New Yorker I have been proud of our state’s leadership. But New York State is now in serious danger of falling short on our climate goals.
As a mother who has raised two boys in NYC, I have watched as their friends and classmates suffered asthma attacks and as catastrophic climate-induced weather events like Hurricanes Sandy and Ida flooded our homes and schools and subways.
And I have witnessed time and again how the most devastating effects on the climate crisis fall disproportionately on our most vulnerable neighbors.
In Jewish tradition we are taught tzedek tzedek tirdof – pursue, pursue justice – and shomer ger yatom, v’almanah – protect the most vulnerable.
We need climate justice and yes, we need it now. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Now.
We need bold leadership from New York’s state government to cap emissions and reduce the harm being inflicted every single day. And we need to make corporate polluters pay and use that money to invest in our communities so we can have clean energy, good health and jobs, and affordability for all New Yorkers.
And the good news is that the Cap-Trade-and-Invest program is one of the core promises of the 2019 Climate Act.
Governor Hochul, I implore you to deliver on your promise. In this time of political and climate devastation, we cannot delay. It is time to release the full suite of draft regulations.
The Jewish community – like many too many communities – has throughout history faced threats of annihilation and come face to face with horrific rulers – all the way back to Pharoah in Egypt.
And so we have a long tradition of standing up to tyrants.
That is no small part of what you, Governor Hochul, are called to do right now. This is not a time for backing down or caving to bullies. Now is a time to stand up and deliver.
So we are here to give you hizuk – strength – to deliver on your promise. To act courageously. To lead boldly. Because the future of our state and its people depend on it.
What is at stake is nothing less than our ability to live l’dor v’dor – generation to generation – as healthy and thriving New Yorkers.
