Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Deaunte Johnson, Policy Fellow of New York League of Conservation Voters, on Cooling Centers and Intro 998
1:32:47
·
126 sec
Deaunte Johnson, representing the New York League of Conservation Voters, strongly supports Intro 998-2024 to codify and improve NYC's cooling center program. He emphasizes the importance of addressing extreme heat, particularly in vulnerable communities, and suggests several improvements to the bill.
- Recommends using the latest available data when establishing the number of cooling centers
- Suggests a minimum number of cooling centers operating beyond regular working hours in high heat vulnerability areas
- Proposes making the cooling center website available in the top 10 spoken languages in NYC with real-time updates
- Urges allocation of sufficient long-term funding for effective implementation of the cooling center program
Deaunte Johnson
1:32:47
Hi.
1:32:47
My name is Deontay Johnson.
1:32:49
I'm the policy fellow of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
1:32:51
NYLCV is a statewide environmental advocacy organization representing over 30,000 members in New York City.
1:32:56
Thank you chair Schulman and the members of the committee on health for the opportunity to comment.
1:32:59
NYLCV strongly supports interim nine nine eight of 2024 sponsored by council member powers.
1:33:04
New York City is especially prone to extreme heat which is the deadliest weather had related hazard in The United States.
1:33:09
It has the greatest number of people exposed to the urban heat island effect due to the vast amount of asphalt, buildings and other infrastructure that absorb and re emit the sun's heat.
1:33:16
Extreme heat events particularly hit seniors, low income, and communities that cover the hardest due to structural racism such as residential redlining.
1:33:22
While mitigating extreme heat requires multiple solutions, one way to do so is increasing access to funding to the city's cooling center program in an equitable manner.
1:33:29
This program helps New Yorkers who might not have access to air conditioner or cannot afford increases in their utility bills to take refuge in public spaces such as community centers, libraries, and senior centers during extreme heat events.
1:33:41
Engine nine ninety eight is vital because in the past, the cooling center program has been found to be inequitably administered.
1:33:46
For example, a previous study by the comptroller which was mentioned earlier today found that heat vulnerable neighbors in Central Brooklyn, Central Queens, and parts of the Bronx have the fewest per capita cooling centers.
1:33:54
While we support this bill, we also recommend the building which consider the following edits.
1:33:58
One, using the latest available data when establishing the number of cooling centers of legislative mandates instead of a number based on data from 2017.
1:34:06
Two, there should be a minimum number of cooling centers operating beyond regular working hour days and hours in neighborhoods with high heat vulnerability index scores.
1:34:13
As we've seen that, hot nighttime temperatures is the same as hot daytime temperatures, there's no difference.
1:34:18
So, the cooling centers availability should reflect that.
1:34:21
Three, the cooling center website should be available in the top 10 spoken languages in New York City.
1:34:25
The website should include real time updates on locations, hours, and services provided.
1:34:29
And lastly and most importantly, if passed, we urge the administrators administration and city council to allocate sufficient long term funding to ensure the city's cooling center program is effectively carried out.
1:34:38
This includes funding for staff, extended operating hours if necessary, programmatic needs and more.
1:34:43
We look forward to working with city council administration advocates to ensure New York City is well prepared for climate and public health emergencies for all New Yorkers but especially our most vulnerable.
1:34:51
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.