This week, significant developments regarding climate change and disaster relief unfolded. A United Nations report indicated that the Earth has surpassed a crucial warming threshold, signaling that major global warming impacts are now inevitable. Concurrently, a judge annulled New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act, which would have mandated leading carbon emitters to contribute $75 billion for infrastructure improvements due to climate-related weather events.
On the podcast, Stony Brook University Professor Kevin Reed discussed his research on “attribution science,” which aims to comprehend how extreme weather events are affected by climate change. Reed emphasized the importance of predicting and understanding the evolution of such events over time.
Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul expressed disappointment following FEMA’s denial of New York’s appeal for a Major Disaster Declaration and funding after the February blizzard, attributing this to political maneuvering by former President Trump.
Professor Andrew Morris highlighted the increasing political disparities in disaster relief approvals, drawing a stark contrast between responses in red versus blue states.
The podcast also included insights from Ken Pokalsky, Vice President at the Business Council of New York State, and NYS Senator Liz Krueger, providing diverse perspectives on the now-defunct Climate Change Superfund Act. Finally, the episode concluded with reflections on the legacy of Gloria Steinem.
