Enacting a Working Class Climate Agenda

In the midst of a longstanding cost of living crisis, rising energy prices due to reliance on a volatile fossil fuel market, unprecedented wealth hoarding, and a climate catastrophe that is only getting more dire by the day, it has never been more clear that we need a new approach.

Solutions to these challenges animate policy debates in New York City. As the federal government slashes social spending and climate progress alike, a new generation of leaders has presented visionary ambitions for how the government can serve working peoples’ needs. An agenda that centers immediate relief, robust regulation, state capacity, and public investment can move us towards a green, new economy run by working people.

The event was hosted by the Climate and Community Institute, Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute, and New York City Policy Forum and discussed how to leverage this moment to empower working people and effectively tackle our climate challenges.

Speakers included Louise Yeung (NYC Chief Climate Officer), Patrick Bigger (CCI Research Director), Lara Skinner (CJI Executive Director), Gustavo Gordillo (NYC-DSA Co-Chair), and Batul Hassan (CCI Labor Director and NYC Policy Forum Co-Chair).