NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced the release of the technical chapters of the Understanding and Preparing for Our Changing Climate Study, continuing to provide New Yorkers with data and information to improve resilience and adaptation in the face of climate change.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the multi-year scientific study, which advances the 2024 State of the State initiative to enhance statewide resiliency and preparedness for the impacts of climate change, has eight technical chapters covering how various economic sectors can address rising temperatures and increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
The announcement supports the implementation of the State’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
“New Yorkers know too well the devastating impact of storms, extreme heat and flooding due to our changing climate,” Hochul said in the release. “We are arming New Yorkers, businesses, municipalities and industries with the information and tools needed to improve community adaptation and resilience while continuing to lower emissions.”
The study, led by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), was a collaboration among academic institutions, science organizations, municipalities, community leaders, industry representatives and New York State agencies and authorities. The technical chapters provide in-depth, detailed observations and projected impacts of climate change on eight sectors: agriculture, buildings, ecosystems, energy, human health and safety, society and economy, transportation, and water resources.
The chapters were developed by eight separate technical working groups led by sector experts and representatives from diverse communities and constituencies from across the State and nation including California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana and Texas, as well as Canada and members of Indigenous communities.
The chapters will be submitted for publication in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences academic journal.
“NYSERDA is proud to have worked with a wide network of local, regional and national experts to produce this science-based study that can be used as a planning resource to incorporate resiliency and adaption strategies,” NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said in the release. “As our State continues to advance zero-emissions policies and support innovative technologies that will help combat climate change, we also need to work together to lessen the social and economic impact of extreme weather events on our communities.”
The portion of the study focused on climate change projections for New York State that was released in early January included updated data on how the climate has changed and how it will continue to change.
The projections, developed by Columbia University, explore temperature, precipitation, extreme events and sea level, based on sophisticated computer models scientists have developed to simulate how the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and other physical features respond to the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases building up in the atmosphere.
This work supports Governor Hochul’s comprehensive resiliency plan, as announced in this year’s State of the State, to protect New Yorkers from extreme weather and counter the onslaught of drenching rain, blizzards, sweltering heat and bitter cold as result of climate change.
“The impacts of a changing climate have been prevalent in New York and beyond with increased frequency of extreme weather events that has led to damaging floods, dangerous heat, and hard hit critical infrastructure. New York’s Climate Impacts Assessment provides additional information to help New Yorkers adapt and respond to climate change by improving resilience and advancing efforts to decrease our greenhouse gas emissions and make needed investments and improvements to address the climate crisis,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said in the release.
“The need to protect our planet is incredibly urgent, and Governor Hochul is leading New York State to a more sustainable future,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. added. “SUNY is proud to be at the center of these efforts, from reducing our own carbon footprint to preparing the future green workforce and conducting groundbreaking research on climate change and renewable energy. My thanks to the Governor for convening this study, her commitment to building on her clean energy goals, and her ongoing investment in research and education to mitigate the consequences of climate change and foster resilience.”
“New Yorkers felt the direct impact of climate change last summer when smoke from the Canadian wildfires blanketed the state, affecting quality and increased the risk of medical emergencies,” New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “With the continued support of Governor Hochul, it’s critical that we study the impact of climate change and the public health risks associated with these events.
“This collaborative, evidence-based study will further inform commonsense policies and recommendations that put the health and well-being of New Yorkers first.”
The data and information provided in the study underscores the importance of taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Solutions such as installing renewable energy, electrifying buildings and transportation systems, and increasing energy efficiency all help to reduce greenhouse gases and lessen the associated impacts on New York’s communities. A
third component of the New York State Climate Impacts Assessment, providing an analysis of potential economic impacts in New York State, will be released later this year.
