Historic 1st in the U.S. Initiative to Help 5 Million in New York

New York Gov. Hochul believes a "historic" new effort will protect around 5 million New Yorkers.

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On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced what she described as a historic, new effort to monitor air quality in disadvantaged communities across the state and use the data collected to develop strategies to reduce pollution in these communities, including the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

This statewide community air monitoring effort is the largest ever undertaken in the United States, officials say. Announced during Climate Week 2021, the air monitoring effort supports New York's ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050.

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"Our most economically disadvantaged communities have also been hit the hardest by the harmful effects of pollution and climate change," Hochul said. "With this new initiative, we are deploying the latest state-of-the-art technology to examine the air quality in communities across New York State, and working with experts to determine the best solutions to reduce pollution to correct this injustice that has overburdened vulnerable parts of our state for far too long."

In consultation with the State's Climate Justice Working Group and community leaders, DEC and NYSERDA will identify 10 areas to deploy hyperlocal monitoring technology to collect air quality data. Locations will include multiple disadvantaged communities both upstate and downstate. Monitoring will include climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions and other co-pollutants that affect public health.

In total, the monitoring will provide a comprehensive picture of air quality in communities that are home to up to five million New Yorkers, officials say.

The results of this monitoring effort will advance the Climate Law's directive to reduce emissions in communities heavily impacted by air pollution and help to address the public health impacts due to this pollution, including higher rates of lung disease, asthma, heart disease, and premature death.

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