PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Caleb Smith, Resiliency Coordinator at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, on Introduction 928
2:29:37
ยท
121 sec
Caleb Smith from WE ACT for Environmental Justice testified in support of Introduction 928, which proposes a cool pavement pilot project to mitigate urban heat island effects in New York City. He emphasized the disproportionate impact of extreme heat on communities of color and the potential benefits of cool pavement as a form of green infrastructure.
- Highlighted that 83% of NYC's population is exposed to the urban heat island effect, with Black New Yorkers twice as likely to die from heat-related illness compared to white residents
- Described cool pavement as a critical, cost-effective tool for climate mitigation that can lower surface temperatures, improve thermal comfort, and provide other environmental benefits
- Urged support for the bill, stressing its importance for heat health equity across New York City
Caleb Smith
2:29:37
Good afternoon.
2:29:39
Committee chair, Selena Brooks Powers, and committee on transportation and infrastructure.
2:29:44
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of introduction 928.
2:29:49
My name is Caleb Smith, redundancy coordinator at WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
2:29:54
We act for environmental justice, the community based organization headquartered in Harlem, fighting environment, racism at the city, state and federal level for more than 30 years.
2:30:06
We act theory of change empowers environmental justice communities to build healthy neighborhoods by ensuring that school of color and low income participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental policy.
2:30:18
As global temperatures continue to shatter records, New York City must take every opportunity to defend against extreme heat impact.
2:30:26
New Yorkers are especially vulnerable with 83% of 7,200,000 people of the population exposed to the urban heat island effect.
2:30:37
Generations of policy decisions have caused communities of color to live in the hottest parts of the city.
2:30:43
Black New Yorkers are twice as likely to die from heat related illness compared to right white residents, and the EJNYC report found that environmental justice areas have access to 19% less accessible green space than other neighborhoods.
2:30:57
Cool pavement is a critical form of green infrastructure that can provide direct relief to neighborhoods with limited practical canopy.
2:31:04
Cool pavements promote lower surface temperatures, improve thermal comfort, energy savings, decrease emissions, ameliorate smog production, and mitigate damage to local watershed.
2:31:16
Introduction 928 lays the foundation for us to convert streets that are that currently exacerbate the urban heat island effect and the climate mitigation aspect.
2:31:24
This is a necessary and cost effective multi hazard mitigation tool we must not overlook.
2:31:29
Findings from this pilot will be instructive to improving heat health, heat health equity across New York City.
2:31:35
Please support the passage of this bill with equity in mind.
2:31:38
Thank you.