Earth Day, Now More Than Ever
By Pete Harckham
Each year, Earth Day invites us to reflect on our responsibility to protect the planet we call home. But in 2026, that reflection must turn into urgency. The challenges before us—climate change, rising energy costs, and threats to public health—are no longer distant concerns. They are here, affecting New Yorkers in real time. Earth Day, now more than ever, must be about action.
New York has long been a national leader in confronting climate change, thanks in large part to the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This law, as it currently stands, set some of the most ambitious climate goals in the country: reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. These are not abstract targets—they are a roadmap to a healthier, more resilient, and more affordable future.
As Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, I have worked to ensure that we stay on track to meet these goals while making life more affordable for everyday New Yorkers. Because let’s be clear: fighting climate change and lowering costs are not competing priorities—they are one and the same.
Take renewable energy. Expanding access to solar power is one of the most effective ways to reduce both emissions and utility bills. That is why I introduced the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, which would dramatically increase New York’s distributed solar capacity and streamline the process for connecting new projects to the grid. This legislation directly addresses affordability while accelerating our clean energy transition. An Independent analysis has shown that scaling up this kind of renewable energy deployment could deliver more than $1 billion in annual savings for New York ratepayers.
At the same time, we must confront the growing threat of toxic “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS, which are contaminating drinking water and increasing health risks. I have advanced legislation to help homeowners install and maintain water filtration systems, ensuring that those relying on private wells are not left behind. We are also working to eliminate PFAS at its source by banning these chemicals in common consumer products and addressing their spread through biosolids applied to land. This is not only a public health issue—it is an economic one. Removing PFAS contamination after the fact can cost millions of dollars, while preventing it in the first place saves taxpayers significant cleanup and healthcare costs.
We are also tackling the growing problem of waste and pollution through the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA). This legislation would reduce plastic packaging, hold producers accountable, and save New Yorkers money on waste management. In fact, estimates show that adopting PRRIA could save residents approximately $1.3 billion annually while addressing environmental and public health concerns.
Of course, none of this work exists in a vacuum. Across the country and even here in New York, there are calls to slow down or weaken our climate commitments in the name of affordability. But that is a false choice. Delaying action will only increase costs in the long run—through more extreme weather, higher energy prices, and greater strain on our infrastructure.
We are already seeing the consequences of inaction: stronger storms, flooding, and rising costs for families and businesses alike. Investing in clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable practices is not just the right thing to do—it is the fiscally responsible thing to do.
Earth Day reminds us that the decisions we make today will shape the world we leave to future generations. But it should also remind us that we have the tools, the technology, and the policy solutions to meet this moment.
New York has proven that leadership matters. By advancing renewable energy, reducing waste, and staying committed to the goals of the CLCPA, we are building a cleaner, healthier, and more affordable future.
The path forward is clear. The question is whether we have the resolve to follow it.
This Earth Day, let us reaffirm our commitment—not just to protecting our environment, but to creating a more livable, equitable, and affordable state for all New Yorkers.