This July was the hottest in 141 years in the Northern hemisphere. Here in CNY, Syracuse broke a heat record that stood for over 60 years as this July was the hottest it’s ever been since records began in 1902.
The killing of George Floyd back in May sparked a racial reckoning all over the world. Police brutality, racism, colorism, and xenophobia were all pulled to the forefront as millions around the world demanded change. It’s a movement that continues to this day with people seeking a solution to systemic racism. But what’s been lost in the shuffle is environmental racism and its effects on minorities. So this week let’s look at how climate change has adversely affected communities of color.
Lorefice decided to take the CNY Carbon Challenge, which was launched by CCAA earlier this year. The Carbon Challenge is a seven-step process where people evaluate their carbon footprint and then work through different ways to reduce it. Lorefice credits Annalena Davis for laying out the challenge in a simple way, which he said made it easier for him to complete. While it felt a bit overwhelming at times, Lorefice is glad he decided to go through with the challenge because it forced him to reflect on his lifestyle.
With the novel coronavirus pandemic gripping the entire planet, the virus has impacted everyone in one way or another. Over half a million people worldwide have died. Economies around the world have entered into recessions, leaving millions without a job. However, what’s been lost in the shuffle are the links between COVID-19 and climate change.
CCAA continues to promote the N.Y. state legislation CCPA (Climate and Community Protection Act). Members of CCAA and CNY Solidarity Climate Justice attended the regional hearing on the CCPA hosted by N.Y. Senator Rachel May on February 21st in Syracuse. Senator May (SD-53) is a co- sponsor of the CCPA and is also a member of the Environmental Conservation Committee.
Welcome to the first edition of the Climate Change Awareness & Action newsletter.We named the newsletter “The Next Generation” because how we live today will determine environmental conditions for the generations that follow us. If we care in more than words, we have to examine how we live and make changes.
