Lawmakers React To Trump Pulling Out Of Paris Climate Agreement
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer led a chorus of lawmakers representing Brooklyn who condemned President Trump’s decision yesterday to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.
The agreement with a number of nations, which former President Barack Obama signed in 2015, acknowledged global warming and was an international agreement to work to curb it. Under the accord, the United States had pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 and commit up to $3 billion in aid for poorer countries by 2020.
“President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is a devastating failure of historic proportions. Future generations will look back on President Trump’s decision as one of the worst policy moves made in the 21st century because of the huge damage to our economy, our environment and our geopolitical standing. Pulling out of the Paris agreement doesn’t put America first, it puts America last in recognizing science, in being a world leader and protecting our own shore line, our economy and our planet. It’s now crystal clear President Trump is comfortable both ceding the moral high ground and the economic upper hand to countries like China, and endangering the future of our planet,” said Schumer.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Trump’s reckless decision will have devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for the planet.
“This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change. New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions. We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change, which is why I am also signing an Executive Order confirming New York’s leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet,” said Cuomo.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Trump can turn his back on the world, but the world cannot ignore the very real threat of climate change.
“This decision is an immoral assault on the public health, safety and security of everyone on this planet. New Yorkers are already experiencing hotter summers, more powerful storms and rising seas, which disproportionately affect already vulnerable communities. On behalf of the people of New York City, and alongside mayors across the country, I am committing to honor the goals of the Paris agreement with an Executive Order in the coming days, so our city can remain a home for generations to come.”
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) said as hurricane season officially begins in the Atlantic region, he is outraged by Trump’s decision.
“In my role as the chair of the City Council’s Committee on Recovery and Resiliency, it is my responsibility to oversee the city’s efforts to recover from Hurricane Sandy and ensure that we are ready to handle another emergency situation, should one arise. With the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy approaching, there are plenty of residents in our coastal communities still dealing with the storm’s aftermath,” said Treyger.
“The Paris Agreement is a milestone in the effort to reverse the course of climate change, but it is about more than just the imperative to protect the planet for our children. There is also an imperative for American workers to be part of an evolving economic equation around the world. The green revolution that has gripped other parts of the industrialized world opened the door for opportunities that benefit both the environment and workers. As other nations are advancing wind and other sustainable sources of power, it is economically short-sighted to scorn opportunities for our country to lead the world in green innovation,” he added.
Assemblymember Walter Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) said while Trump insists that pulling out of the accord will put American workers first, actions that put the world climate in jeopardy also puts the economy jeopardy.
“We must take swift action on climate change, and the President’s efforts to take our country backwards must be repudiated by all elected officials. I will continue to work for renewable energy in New York, and it is my hope that my colleagues will as well in the face of federal inaction,” said Mosley.
Adams Proclaims June As Brooklyn Homeless Awareness Month
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams yesterday officially proclaimed the month of June as Brooklyn’s Homelessness Awareness Month, as part of his comprehensive campaign to build a boroughwide coalition that will raise awareness of the plight of homeless individuals and families across Brooklyn.
The announcement comes less than a week after Adams launched the initiative during an address to hundreds of congregants at the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, highlighting the need for increased community participation in alleviating the borough’s homelessness crisis.
“The elder who was forced out of her home due to increased rents, and in some cases bad-acting landlords, was the woman that used to babysit our children,” said Adams. “The unemployed male who stands on the corner at Bedford and Atlantic avenues was the same child that once played Little League baseball alongside us. The woman with three children who can’t find a landlord to take her Section 8 voucher was once the cute little girl with ribbons in her hair who attended our church service. These are not strangers in our midst; these are our brothers and sisters who have fallen on hard times.”
Adams also unveiled a community-driven approach including recruiting black associations and local businesses to organize “Adopt-a-Shelter” groups.
Additionally, Adams encouraged Brooklynites to apply for the Director of Community Partnerships position that the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) agreed to hire at his request. This position, which will be based at Brooklyn Borough Hall, will conduct outreach and build partnerships with key stakeholders in Brooklyn in support of clients residing at DHS shelters in the borough; individuals can submit an application by visiting nyc.gov/jobs.
Hamilton Announces Crown Heights Community Mediation Center Funding
State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) yesterday announced $50,000 in funding for the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, 256 Kingston Avenue, to support the Center’s innovative programs and anti-violence work in Central Brooklyn.
The Mediation Center’s core programs include Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) and Youth Organizing to Save Our Streets (Y.O.S.O.S.). S.O.S. is a replication of the evidence-based Cure Violence model. S.O.S. staff, hired for their ability to be credible messengers in the community, prevents gun violence by mediating conflicts that may end in violence, and act as peer counselors to the residents who are at risk of perpetrating or being victimized by violence. YO S.O.S. serves as the youth mobilization branch of S.O.S., training high school students from Central Brooklyn to be active members in their communities and promote anti-violence messages and community healing.
The Mediation Center staff and volunteers work to strengthen the neighborhoods of Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant through the collaborative efforts of neighbors, government, and community organizations.
The funding announcement also marks the beginning of Gun Violence Awareness Month.
CM Williams Kicks Off Gun Violence Awareness Month
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) today will host a press conference with a coalition of organizations and community leaders to launch the start of Gun Violence Awareness Month.
In 2014, Williams introduced legislation that declared June Gun Violence Awareness Month in New York City, in the hopes that the month would increase efforts to protect all New Yorkers, especially those who are disproportionately affected by gun violence.
By furthering the dialogue with local, state and federal partners advocates are able to examine the causes of gun violence and create meaningful solutions in an effort to prevent violence from peaking again in the summer.
Gun Violence Awareness Month was created in an effort to raise awareness surrounding the issue of needless and senseless gun violence in New York’s communities.
The goals of Gun Violence Awareness Month are to promote greater awareness about gun violence and gun safety, to concentrate annual heightened attention to gun violence during the summer months, when gun violence typically increases and to bring citizens and community leaders together to discuss ways to make communities healthier.
The press conference is slated for 11 a.m., today, June 2 at 1 Centre Street in Lower Manhattan.
Menchaca, Ortiz Tour Brooklyn Army Terminal
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) and Assembly Member Félix W. Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) today will tour the Brooklyn Army Terminal’s Food Manufacturing Hub to meet its first three tenants.
In August 2016, the city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced the designation of the Brooklyn Army Terminal Annex Building as a hub for small-to-medium sized food manufacturing companies after completing over $15 million in renovations.
The tour is slated for between 10-11 a.m., today June 2 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal Annex Building, 80 58th Street in Sunset Park.
