{"id":4276,"date":"2017-03-07T17:32:59","date_gmt":"2017-03-07T22:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weact.org\/updates\/i-lobbied-for-climate-justice-and-so-can-you\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T19:22:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T00:22:05","slug":"i-lobbied-for-climate-justice-and-so-can-you","status":"publish","type":"update","link":"https:\/\/weact.org\/es\/updates\/i-lobbied-for-climate-justice-and-so-can-you\/","title":{"rendered":"I Lobbied for Climate Justice, and So Can You"},"template":"","class_list":["post-4276","update","type-update","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","update_type-blog"],"acf":{"details":{"":null,"featured_image":3159,"update_type":[364],"focus_area":false,"authors":false,"abstract":""},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","acfe_flexible_toggle":"","component_wysiwyg":{"content":"My name is Ronald Thomas. I became a member of WE ACT many years ago when I was going to school at the Pratt Institute at the Pratt Center for Community and Environmental Development in 1993. As an avid cyclist and a member of WE ACT, I know that climate change is a real threat. This is why I showed up for a trip to the New York State Capital in Albany before dawn on a morning in February \u2014 it was cold and dark but I did not care.\r\n

We were there to raise awareness and fight for good jobs, climate justice, and 100% renewable energy.<\/h2>\r\nWe all boarded a sleek charter bus at 6:30 am. I was alert and bright-eyed, wondering how we would be received at a hearing before the powerful New York State Legislature and corporate lobbyists seeking to have influence over the legislative business of the state. This trip was put together by the grassroots environmental organization called NYRenews<\/a>. We waited till about 7am before we shoved off for Albany\u2026 and I thought I might take a nap. Instead, the energy of my bus companions had us all chattering for two hours and before I knew it I was in Albany.\r\n\r\nThe state campus is humongous with spectacular towering architecture nestled upon a sweeping acropolis, implying the power of kings, emperors, and empires. I thought to myself, could this be what they mean when the talk about \u201cthe Empire State\u201d? We walked through security and entered the underground concourse which was a vast mall of shops, restaurants, offices, and the elevators which allow you to visit \u201cthe Gods of Legislation\u201d who are actually our public servants. The place can make you feel small, like you do not really matter in all of these palatial surroundings. But, in reality, it is the other way around. We can vote in regular elections and become a familiar face to those who make our laws. They are there to serve us or we vote them out. It is all about government by and for the people!\r\n
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At around 10:30 am, the hearing chamber came to order and I recognized my assemblyman, a guy I have grown up watching. Not only was he my assemblyman, he was the chairman presiding over the hearing and I took a deep breath and thought, \u201cthat\u2019s Denny Farrell, the guy who sends me reports in the mail and I actually see him jogging in the park and eating in restaurants. Now we are going to raise our voices and demand legislation for the environment.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

In fact, we want a piece of legislation called the New York Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA) (S.8005 \/ A.10342), the most ambitious and far-reaching climate bill in the country.<\/h2>\r\nNo other legislation cuts greenhouse gas pollution from all sectors of the economy, protects communities and workers on the front lines of climate change, ensures new jobs in the clean energy economy conform with fair labor standards, and requires all state government decisions to align with climate and equity policies. You can learn more by watching\u00a0the video below, or visit nyrenews.org<\/a>.\r\n\r\n