[Crains NY] Op-Ed: Now is the time for bold climate action, not half-measures Marshall Cox

A Pew Research Center survey from 2022 found that a significant majority of people, 69%, favored the U.S. taking steps to become carbon neutral by 2050. New Yorkers, in particular, understand the urgency of this goal. They've witnessed the direct impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and severe storms that have flooded streets and subways, bringing the city to a standstill. Buildings are New York’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for roughly 70% of the total. This challenge extends beyond New York; globally, buildings are responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. To effectively tackle the climate crisis, we need widespread adoption of building decarbonization initiatives. So, why is the city considering weakening one of the most ambitious climate action plans, Local Law 97?