A message of climate urgency from one mom to another
In mid-march, I gave birth to a tiny four-pound baby six weeks before my due date. Soon after I gave birth, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) came
Liat Olenick lives in Brooklyn. out with its latest report, and once again warned that without our rapidly transitioning off fossil fuels the planet will soon — as in my lifetime and definitely within our children’s lifetimes — become “unliveable.”
This barely made a blip in the headlines, but it sent me into a spiral of fear and despair.
Amidst all the normal joy, exhaustion and adjustment of new parenting, I’ve also been experiencing profound climate panic — the oft-used “anxiety” seems too mild a word. In between feedings and visits with grandparents, I have found myself silently apologizing to my baby for the world he was born into. I even found myself praying for his safety, though I don’t believe in a God that hears and answers prayers. People say “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” but I often can’t because I’m consumed by worry about a deadly future.
My fear has been compounded by egregious inaction from elected officials, especially those who claim to “believe science” and care about preventing climate catastrophe. Unfortunately, fellow mom Gov. Kathy Hochul is no exception.
Just a few weeks after my
son was born, Hochul and the Legislature wrapped up this year’s state budget. For months, I had been working with a coalition of climate groups across the state to push for $15 billion for climate justice in the budget and a slate of climate bills. Included in the slate is the All-electric Building Act, which would jumpstart New York’s long-overdue transition to renewables by banning gas in new construction; the Teachers’ Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, which would divest the New York State Teachers' Retirement System of fossil fuel investments; and the Build Public Renewables Act, which would jumpstart green public power in the state.
Hochul’s budget failed to deliver. Not only was the $1 billion in funding allocated for climate pitiful — especially given the year’s budget surplus — but also, meaningful climate policy was left out of the final agreement.
But it’s not too late for Hochul and lawmakers to act. The Legislature will be in session until early June, and can pass the All-electric Building Act and the Teachers’ Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, direct more funding to climate justice, and more. That’s why I’m joining other mothers, babies, toddlers and kids to rally outside Hochul’s office this weekend.
There is no excuse for a Democratic governor presiding over a Democratic legislative supermajority to ignore the increasingly dire warnings of scientists and delay climate action yet again. New York must lead the way and take the most aggressive action possible to cut emissions and protect our state from the climate crisis.
A few years ago, I heard Hochul speak at a fundraiser for Vote Mama, which elects moms to all levels of office. She talked about being a mom, and how moms “get things done.”
Well, Kathy, from one busy mom to another: Nothing will shape our childrens’ lives as much as the climate crisis. Get it all done now, for our kids and for all kids.