The Albany Common Council has advanced a measure to declare a climate emergency.
The resolution cites reports from NASA and other governmental agencies that track climate patterns as proof of the need to take climate change seriously. 10th ward Councilor Owusu Anane:
"This resolution is a good starting point to begin acting on this as a city because it affirms our residence surrounding neighbors and even the world that Albany takes climate change seriously, and we're willing to do something about this. "
Anane says cities around the country and the world have adopted similar declarations. He adds Mayor Kathy Shehan and the full council support the measure, which will be voted on May 3rd.
In a statement released Thurday, Sheehan said, “Climate change is real and our entire planet needs to work together to reverse its impacts before it’s too late. That’s why my administration has remained committed to the Paris Climate Accords - even when the federal government was not - and why we have implemented a variety of sustainability-focused initiatives including converting all 10,000 streetlights to LEDs, installing new EV Chargers across the City, and planting 2,025 new trees along our streets and in our parks by 2025. I commend Councilmember Anane for successfully advocating to move this resolution out of committee with a positive recommendation and look forward to continuing to work with the entire Common Council and Sustainability Advisory Committee to ensure we are restoring a safe climate for future generations.”
