Earth Day on the UWS: Local Climate Legislation That Could Make an Impact 

By Scott Etkin

Since its creation in 1970, Earth Day, April 22, has been a day to celebrate landmark achievements, such as the federal laws promoting clean air, clean water, and protection of endangered species.

This year, with a new administration that dismisses climate change concerns and threatens huge cuts in the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the potential for meaningful environmental legislation has shifted to state legislatures – which is why you’ll find Upper West Side environmental activists like Sharon Waskow in Albany next month.

Waskow will be in the state capital May 7th, for the fourth time in two years, for a rally organized by Beyond Plastics. The purpose is to advocate for passage of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), a New York State bill mandating that large companies reduce the amount of packaging they use by 10% within three years and 30% within 12 years. The proposed law also increases the amount of recycled material that must be included in packaging.

Waskow, a founder of the Upper West Side environmental group It’s Easy Being Green, said on a call with the Rag that her past advocacy trips to Albany were encouraging, and even fun. “I learned about how the state government works, about which I knew nothing previously,” she said. 

While in Albany, Waskow and other volunteers met with lawmakers or their staffers. “The people really listen, they take notes, and that was surprising to me,” she said. “You felt like you were really doing something, that you were able to potentially influence people and get things to change by showing that you cared enough to show up.”

In addition to PRRIA, there are several other pieces of local, climate-focused legislation that have recently been in the spotlight. 

One notable bill is the NY HEAT Act, which aims to reduce residents’ energy bills by ending forced ratepayer subsidies for the expansion of gas infrastructure, among other measures. This could be especially relevant this summer, when New Yorkers will likely face hotter temperatures and heat waves driven by climate change – and thus could also face higher energy bills for air conditioning.

Another bill related to subsidies for fossil fuels is the Stop Climate Polluter Handouts Act, which would amend the New York tax law to disincentivize motor fuel and petroleum products and exclude fossil fuel investment from some government programs. 

Not everyone who supports these bills will go to a protest in Albany or make an in-person meeting with their representative’s office. But phone calls are another way to nudge lawmakers to take action on climate legislation, said Delia Kulukundis, a native Upper West Sider and volunteer with the climate group 350Brooklyn. Kulukundis said phone calls are more effective than email or letters. (Those inclined to act can search for their state senator HERE and state assembly member HERE.)

Kulukundis said many people are nervous about making calls, but afterward say “‘Oh, that wasn’t so bad.’ Then the second time you do it, it’s way easier.”

Calling is important even if your representatives already share your support for a bill, said Kulukundis, in order to push them to co-sponsor the bill or to get it passed during the current legislative session. Waskow, the It’s Easy Being Green founder, emphasized this point. “Legislators don’t know if people care about these issues unless we contact them,” she said.

 Last year, PRRIA and the NY HEAT Act both passed in the State Senate but were not brought to a vote in the State Assembly before the legislative session ended. Kulukundis said anyone wanting to closely follow the progress of such bills this year should sign up for a local environmental group’s newsletter, which keeps track of bill status and offers advice on how to reach out to legislators.

In addition to the above-mentioned groups – It’s Easy Being Green and 350.org, which has Brooklyn and NYC chapters – other climate advocacy groups include: NYC Climate Families, which does age-appropriate actions with kids and parents; Third Act, which organizes seniors over the age of 60 to fight climate change and protect democracy; and the Green Co-op Council, which organizes co-op owners across the city on environmental issues. There are many more – Kulukundis suggested searching for groups based on personal interests, such as housing or parks. 

The legislative process can feel slow and arcane, but it’s the best route for having a large-scale environmental impact, said Waskow. “You can talk about behavior change, those are good steps,” she said. “But really it’s the elected officials who have the power to do something about climate change, and that’s why it’s a big deal for us.”

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