CUNY CREST Advances Climate Resilience Policy and Community Protection at Albany Lobby Day
Dr. Shakila Merchant, CREST Deputy Director and CREST HIRES Director, joined partners from across New York State in supporting key climate resilience legislation during the Rise to Resilience Coalition’s Lobby Day in Albany, organized by the Waterfront Alliance.
The advocacy effort brought together leaders from academia, environmental organizations, and community groups to advance policies that strengthen the State’s ability to respond to increasing climate risks, particularly those impacting vulnerable and historically underserved communities.
Central to the discussions were two critical pieces of legislation:
- Senate Bill S3590A/Assembly Bill A8088A
- Senate Bill S4071A/Assembly Bill A7467A
The proposed Climate Resilient New York Act (S3590A/A8088A) calls for the establishment of an Office of Resilience and a Chief Resilience Officer to coordinate statewide efforts to assess climate-related threats, streamline interagency action, and develop a comprehensive resilience plan. By prioritizing investments in environmental justice communities and improving alignment across agencies, the legislation aims to create a more proactive framework for addressing climate impacts.
Complementing this effort, S4071A/A7467A focuses on strengthening local capacity to manage stormwater by clarifying the authority of water and sewer entities across the state. As extreme rainfall events become more frequent and severe, this legislation enables communities to implement more effective flood mitigation strategies, improve water quality, and adopt innovative solutions such as green infrastructure.
Together, these bills represent a robust step toward forward-looking climate governance in New York State. Their emphasis on coordination, equity, and infrastructure resilience aligns closely with CUNY CREST’s mission to advance interdisciplinary research, train the next generation of researchers, and empower communities through knowledge and innovation.
Through its engagement with initiatives like the Rise to Resilience Coalition, CUNY CREST continues to play an important role at the intersection of science, policy, and community impact, ensuring that research-informed solutions contribute to building a more resilient and equitable future for all New Yorkers.
