The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) and NYLCV Education Fund (NYLCVEF) today released their policy priorities for New York City.
As part of their 2019-2020 New York City Policy Agenda, NYLCV will focus their advocacy and programming on Combating Climate Change and Protecting People & Natural Resources, including initiatives related to energy and infrastructure, transportation, resiliency, solid waste, lead poisoning prevention, clean air, clean water, sustainable food, parks, and active waterfronts. The policy agenda will also guide the bills NYLCV selects for both the 2019 and 2020 New York City Council Environmental Scorecards.
The full agenda is available here.
NYLCV/EF President Julie Tighe said, “After an exciting Climate Week kicked off by the inspiring climate strike, we are heartened to see so much attention on the environment and sustainability from the public. But last week’s unseasonably warm temperatures make it clear that we need to follow it up with serious action from our leaders. New York City must green its transportation sector, conserve our natural areas, and significantly reduce our waste to effectively fight climate change. Thank you to all those who worked to develop the agenda. We look forward to working with Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, and City Council to champion these policies.”
Though NYLCV/EF will support dozens of specific policies, the issues below were identified as top priorities:
Common Sense Waste Management: To reduce waste, the City must invest in a massive public education campaign around recycling and organics collection, advance a mandatory residential organics program, avoid the use of unnecessary disposable items, and follow through on commercial waste zones.
Encouraging Mode Shift to High Efficiency, Low Emission Forms of Transportation: Moving New Yorkers out of single-occupancy vehicles via improved and efficient public transit, bike, scooter, and other micro-mobility programs are all part of the solution for a greener transport sector. It is equally important that the City take a comprehensive citywide approach to reimagine street space, so that there is adequate infrastructure in place to meet the growth in sustainable transportation. As with any other major transition, the administration must lead the way by reducing the size of the City’s fleet and more aggressively transitioning the remainder of the fleet to zero-emissions.
Conserving New York City’s Natural Areas: It is imperative that the City invest in the health and sustainability of the canopy both in parks and natural forested areas to ensure this valuable resource is there to benefit New Yorkers for generations to come.
The agenda was developed working in consultation with our environmental, public health, transportation, and environmental justice partners. The organization works to identify and advocate for solutions to New York City’s most pressing environmental issues.
The New York League of Conservation Voters is the only non-partisan, statewide environmental organization in New York that takes a pragmatic approach to fighting for clean water, healthy air, renewable energy, and open space. For more information, visit www.nylcv.org.
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