“On this Earth Day, it is a time for all of us to recommit to the fight against climate change. This rapid timetable is playing out all over the world with ice caps melting, superstorms brewing, and lives upending due to rising sea levels and soaring temperatures. To address this crisis of our time, we must take concrete steps as a city and as a country to harness every tool within our reach.
“At the federal level, let’s pass a Green New Deal — a bold and visionary plan that would make a substantial impact on our environment and the wider economy. Here at home, we must reject the Williams Pipeline and pass the Climate and Community Protection Act in Albany.
“I’m proud that as the city’s Comptroller, our $200 billion pension funds fully divested from thermal coal and we are the first public pension fund system in the nation to begin the process to divest from fossil fuels. We are also committed to doubling our investments in climate solutions to $4 billion such as renewable energy and clean water technology, increasing our focus on preventing pollution, and developing pathways for green and sustainable infrastructure.
“We must also decarbonize our power producers that are responsible for 28.4% of total US carbon emissions. That’s why we’ve called on the biggest 20 power utilities — responsible for half of the industry’s emissions — to commit to a net-zero future by 2050.
“Our city must continue to lead the nation in promoting resilient communities by protecting our shorelines, advancing sustainable transit options, and expanding green roofs.
“Climate change is impacting each and every one of us — in all of our communities. So to celebrate this special day, let’s ensure that we come together to protect Mother Earth for not only our children, but their children and grandchildren who will be the stewards of our planet for generations to come.”