New Rochelle Officially Declares Climate Emergency

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — On Tuesday, New Rochelle became the first city in Westchester to officially declare a climate emergency.

The city council voted unanimously to issue the proclamation calling for "an immediate emergency mobilization to restore a safe climate.” New Rochelle now joins more than 700 other jurisdictions around the world in issuing the climate change local state of emergency.

City Council Member Sara Kaye, who sponsored the legislation, says the city’s resolution puts a focus on marginalized communities that not only bear the brunt of the disastrous consequences of climate change, but are also uniquely positioned to help reduce some of the behaviors that are contributing to the ongoing environmental changes.

"Every city should be taking steps to mitigate climate change and prepare for extreme weather impacts, which we are already experiencing,” Kaye said in a statement announcing the emergency measures. “We also recognize that we must focus more intently on climate justice to ensure that environmental progress benefits our entire community. By working to build a cleaner and more resilient, equitable, and just future, New Rochelle will continue to lead the way along with other forward-thinking cities around the world.”

The emergency legislation calls for the creation of a new City Task Force on Climate and Equity. The resolution also requires a formal review of ways to speed the city’s compliance with the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The act, signed into law in 2019, requires New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a goal of 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040 and statewide carbon neutrality by 2050.

New Rochelle’s emergency declaration also reaffirms support for climate crisis programs already in place in New York’s seventh largest city. The resolution notes that the city already adopted a twenty-year sustainability plan, known as GreeNR in 2011. Last month, the City created a Sustainability Coordinator position. New Rochelle also adopted the NYStretch Energy Code in April.

“The City of New Rochelle’s Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation is proud to support the declaration of a Climate Emergency,” Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation Chair Paul Presendieu said of the move. “Climate change will threaten the lives of all New Rochelle residents regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. We are proud to have municipal leadership who understand the threat of our climate crisis, and are willing to work with residents to curb our carbon emissions in compliance with the goals of New York State and the United Nations.”

The full resolution can be viewed here.