We are asking people to show up at 11:45 am. It may rain (30% chance), so umbrellas may be helpful. please bring signs and banners.
Albany, August 2: Rally for Pres. Biden to Declare Climate Emergency
Need Presidential Executive Action to Hall New Fossil Fuels, Build Renewables
For More Info: PAUSE, Mark Dunlea, pausenergy@gmail.com; 518 860-3725
Location: in front of Cong. Tonko Office, 19 Dove St. (at Washington)
Time: Noon, Tuesday, August 2
PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy); Capital District Citizen Action; Food and Water Watch; GELF (Green Education and Legal Fund); Mothers Out Front; Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith Circle; Upper Hudson Green Party; People’s Climate Movement-Capital Region; Women Against War; Albany County League of Women Voters; Capital District Solidarity; and more are participating in the national day of action organized by People vs. Fossil Fuels on Tuesday August 2 at noon in front of Cong. Paul Tonko’s office, 19 Dove St. Albany.
Climate groups are demonstrating across the country to urge President Biden to declare a climate emergency, halt new fossil fuels and issue a series of executive orders (see climatepresident.org). Groups have identified 25 specific executive actions Biden must take to prevent climate chaos, end fossil fuel racism, and improve the well-being of millions of people. Every action should come with strong labor standards to protect workers’ rights and be developed through meaningful consultation with workers, frontline communities, and other affected constituencies.
Albany Groups Join National Day of Action Urging Biden to Declare A Climate Emergency, Take Executive Action
Climate groups rallied in Albany on Tuesday to urge President Biden to declare a climate emergency, halt new fossil fuels and issue a series of executive orders on climate (see climatepresident.org).
The event in front of Congressman Paul Tonko’s office was part of a national day of action by People vs Fossil Fuels, which identified 25 specific executive actions Biden must take to prevent climate chaos, end fossil fuel racism, and improve the well-being of millions of people. Key demands include stopping fossil fuel infrastructure project approvals, following through on his promise to ban federal fossil fuel leasing and drilling, stopping fossil fuel exports and using funding originally slated for the military to support clean energy projects, thus creating good-paying union jobs.
“The world is rapidly running out of time to avoid climate collapse. Extreme weather will continue to intensify. President Biden, by declaring a climate emergency, can unleash significant powers he can take via executive action without the need for Congressional approval. While Congressional action to providing funding to renewables is welcomed, we need all levels of government to support a halt to new fossil fuels and a rapid phaseout to existing uses,” said Mark Dunlea of PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy) the 350 affiliate in the Capital District. More than 350 groups issued a letter to Senator Schumer Friday, calling for a rejection of fossil fuel expansion in his proposed deal with Manchin.
“The climate crisis is already upon us, as watching the weather reports this month tells us,” said Bob Cohen, Citizen Action Policy and Research Director, who directs the organization’s climate work. “Nationally, at least 656 people died last year as a result of climate-driven disasters like wildfires and hurricanes, and historic storms like Sandy, Irene and Ida have devastated upstate and downstate New York alike. While the agreement between Senator Schumer and Senator Manchin would take some positive steps, we must take an ‘all hands on deck’ approach. President Biden should unlock the powers of the federal government by taking steps like using military funds to support clean energy projects.”
Sponsors of the Albany event included PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy); Capital District Citizen Action; Food and Water Watch; GELF (Green Education and Legal Fund); Mothers Out Front; Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith Circle; Upper Hudson Green Party; People’s Climate Movement-Capital Region; Capital District Solidarity; Women Against War; and, Albany County League of Women Voters.
The groups said that every action should come with strong labor standards to protect workers’ rights and be developed through meaningful consultation with workers, frontline communities, and other affected constituencies. Fossil fuel pollution and climate disasters are already disrupting millions of lives. Working together, we can avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis and create a world in which our health and our families come before corporate greed.
“The science is clear — what once was climate change is now a climate emergency. It’s time our President acted like it,” said Food & Water Watch Senior New York Organizer Eric Weltman. “Biden must declare a climate emergency now and take immediate executive action to halt the fossil fuels supercharging this disaster.”
“The Climate has always been changing, but our consumption is causing a dramatic increase in extreme weather and our communities have already begun to pay the price. Though IRA is an important first step and we are be grateful for Manchin and Schumer, we already know that there is much to do to prepare our communities for the future,” said Alycia Bacon NY Organizer for Mothers Out Front. “That means changing the way we structure our societies now in addition to building the infrastructure to withstand and survive the climate chaos we have wrought. That’s why it’s important that Biden act now! It’s time declare a climate emergency.”
Declaring a climate emergency would unlock unique statutory powers including the authority to:
- Immediately reinstate the crude oil export ban;
- Direct the Secretary of Defense to redirect a portion of military spending to carry out a rapid construction program of renewable energy projects to meet a significant portion of the nation’s power needs; and
- Invoke the Defense Production Act to provide critical loan guarantees and ensure a comprehensive buildout of just, renewable energy development that creates millions of good union jobs.
“Currently the statistics on death rates from heat waves, wildfires, drought and severe flooding are explosively coming in at a rate to exceed all others. A Climate Emergency must be declared by Biden as current legislative remedies are inadequate for this climate crisis,” added Doug Bullock of Capital District Solidarity.
“The climate crisis is now critical after decades of disinformation and delay funded and fueled by fossil corporations. Half the world experienced life-threatening heat waves this summer; people are starting to see the emergency through the smog – a political climate change is beginning. Fossil capitalism threatens life as we know it on this planet; we need a Green New Deal on every level of government to begin the transition to sustainable ecosocialism,” said Mark Schaeffer of Capital District DSA and PAUSE.President Biden – as well as Governor Hochul and the New York State legislature – must be reminded that it is their moral obligation to act now to mitigate the impacts of climate disruption. We remain committed to speaking out with this unified message: “destroying our planet, burdening those least responsible with loss of homeland and loss of life, and squelching the hopes, dreams and prospects of future generations go against our moral compass. It must stop,” said Michael Richardson of Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith Circle.
“We need immediate and bold action to combat the catastrophic climate crisis unfolding around us. We stand here demanding Biden and the Democrats, who claim to be a environmental party, take the concrete steps outlined and issue executive orders that could have a serious positive impact. People and the planet, or profits – what will it be, President Biden?” said Peter LaVenia, co-chair of the Green Party of NY.
