Bad Air Quality Alert Issued in NY due to Wildfires Caused by Climate Change

This Monday, the National Weather Service issued a poor air quality alert for New York state and most of New England due to wildfire smoke from Canada, marking another example of a heated planet and dry conditions as a result of climate change. New York lawmakers have an opportunity to enact solutions and cut greenhouse gas emissions through legislation, the Clean Deliveries Act (S.1180B/A.3575B).

As the latest American Lung Association report states, nearly half of Americans (approximately 156 million people) live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, specifically ozone or particle pollution. 25 million more people are experiencing unhealthy air quality than in the previous report. The report highlights a worsening trend, with climate change, including extreme heat and wildfires, contributing to the increase in both ozone and particle pollution.

With the transportation sector emissions being one of the top greenhouse gas polluters in New York, lawmakers introduced the Clean Deliveries Act to establish an indirect source rule to regulate air quality and emissions from vehicles associated with the operations of heavy distribution warehouse facilities or last-mile warehouses.

According to a recent report from the Environmental Defense Fund, state-defined disadvantaged communities cover just over 8% of the state but contain over 50% of the warehouses, and communities of color bear the brunt of this unregulated industry. Over the last decade, four times more warehouse space has been built compared to the previous decade; this expansion has led to nearly five times more diesel truck trips generated by warehouses.

The following statement is attributed to the ElectrifyNY Coalition:

“Every step counts in the battle against climate change; failing to take action on climate is something you can see, smell, and that can harm you, especially vulnerable neighbors who already suffer from lung and heart issues. Mega e-commerce warehouses account for non-stop diesel truck pollution that adds to the climate issue and is a public health disaster. When the legislature returns, the NYS Assembly’s first priority should be passing the Clean Deliveries Act (CDA). The NYS Senate did their part in passing the CDA this year (again), yet, the Assembly and its leadership left climate and public health solutions on the table. Legislators can take action, we’ll see who pushes against the status quo and protects their constituents or not.”

ElectrifyNY is a statewide coalition of advocates for environmental justice, public transportation, social justice, and good jobs fighting for a clean, equitable electric transportation future for New York. Our work aims to improve the environment and public health outcomes for the communities most affected by the negative impacts of the transportation sector’s dependency on fossil fuels.