Friends and neighbors in Bethlehem, New York, working for progressive causes.
HOW CAN WE COMBAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION?
We can work to pass legislation that will put into law effective ways to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, wean the U.S. off fossil fuels, and increase carbon sequestration. At the same time, it is important to address issues of environmental injustice and to reduce toxins and waste in our environment.
The Huddle also works to pass legislation and change policy about other environmental issues, such as plastic pollution.
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Sign up to receive emails from several groups listed below.
Climate Portal of the Capital Region
FUND CLIMATE ACTION
Learn about NY Renews’ Fund Climate Campaign.
In 2025, New York State should start collecting substantial amounts of money under the state’s Climate Law. The Fund Climate Campaign is about ensuring New York state spends that money effectively and where it matters: increasing affordability, decreasing pollution, and prioritizing communities that have suffered the most from pollution, disinvestment, and the burdens of burning fossil fuels.
Learn about New York's Climate Law.
NY Renews is advocating that all projects and programs funded through the Climate Action Fund (CAF) must address climate, jobs, and justice, and meet our Fund Climate spending criteria, Fund Climate spending criteria.
2024 NY Legislative Session
Little progress was made for the climate in this legislative session. The bills that did not pass must be introduced again in 2025. Negotiations on the NY HEAT Act, which would have capped the cost of energy for lower- and middle-income households, was derailed by discussions about the governor's pause of NYC's congestion pricing that was about to go into effect.
SIGNED INTO LAW 2024
Climate Change Superfund Act S2129A/A3351B
Title: Establishes the climate change adaptation cost recovery program and the climate change adaptation fund.
2025 LEGISLATION
Climate Can't Wait has a comprehensive list of climate and environmental legislation that has been introduced in the New York state legislature in 2025.
2025 Policy Agenda for a Climate in Crisis
SOME HIGH PRIORITY BILLS
NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY HEAT)
S4158/A4870
Ensures that state regulation and oversight of gas utilities realize the climate justice and emission reduction mandates established by the CLCPA.
Cap, Trade and Invest (CPI)
S4651A/A3975
Establishes an economy-wide cap and invest program to support greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the state by setting a maximum allowable amount of greenhouse gas emissions by covered entities and regulating the sale or auction of greenhouse gas emissions allowances to covered entities.
Green Affordable Pre-electrification Program
S3315/A2101
Establishes a GAP program to fund and provide technical assistance for homes and buildings in need of a wide-range of currently unfunded retrofits that are necessary for healthy buildings and achievement of New York’s climate mandates.
Stop Climate Polluter Handout Act
This Act eliminates over $330 million in tax handouts to the fossil fuel industry, targeting the highest polluting fuels and their most unreasonable uses, including commercial airline fuel, low-grade “bunker” fuel, and the operation of fracked gas infrastructure. Tax breaks that benefit the public, such as home heating, are not eliminated.
PLASTIC POLLUTION
The production of plastic uses fossil fuels, contributing to global warming, and the facilities that produce and incinerate plastic are often in low-income communities and communities of color. Less than 1/3 of all plastic bottles will ever be recycled. Microplastic contamination that is ingested by fish and sea mammals have been found in rivers, lakes, and oceans. For more information go to Beyond Plastics.
Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
S1464/A1749
Requires companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.