Climate Week and New York: The People’s Climate March, 10 years later

This week marks 10 years since the People’s Climate March, then the largest climate march in history. Hundreds of thousands of people, led by Indigenous and environmental justice groups most impacted by climate change, marched in the streets of New York City on the eve of the UN Climate Summit. Joined by labor unions, faith groups, and activists of all ages, the march was a rallying cry to demand serious action in the face of a warming planet and the ultimate existential crisis. 

Now, a decade later, New York has nation-leading models and mandates for cutting pollution and creating good, green jobs. But our energy bills are still too high. We don’t have accessible, clean transit options. Extreme heat, cold, and storms are threatening our safety and livelihoods. And at work, at school, and at home, we’re exposed to harmful pollution.

We have less than five years left to prevent the worst climate impacts. Our state and city leaders must greenlight the investments we need for a safe and healthy New York before it’s too late. 

After the 2014 march, New Yorkers came together. The statewide NY Renews coalition was formed laying the groundwork for an organizing network that would pass the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act — setting a framework to transition New York off of fossil fuels and to fund a just transition to renewable wind and solar energy. 

Read the full op-ed.