Governor Cuomo, Joined By Vice Pres. Gore, Announces New Actions to Fight Climate Change

Media Contacts
Heather Leibowitz

New York, NY- Today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new commitment to lead the fight against global warming. Joined by former Vice President Gore at Columbia University, Governor Cuomo signed the “Under 2 MOU,” an agreement between states, provinces and cities across the world to take action to prevent the worst impacts of global warming.

By signing the agreement, Governor Cuomo reaffirmed his intention to slash New York’s emissions of the pollution that drives global warming. The announcement also builds momentum toward coordinated world action at the international climate talks happening this December in Paris. 

To deliver on the “Under 2 MOU” pledge, New York will have to reduce its pollution by more than 80 percent below 1990 levels by mid-century.

Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York issued the following statement:

“We applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership on climate. Today’s announcement is a crucial step forward toward preventing the worst impacts of global warming – both for our state, and for the world.

As the state with the third-largest economy in the nation, what we do here matters.

The actions announced today will help us move toward a future where generate all of our energy from clean, zero-emission sources – and they will help us tackle the pollution that is destabilizing our climate.

We are pleased that Governor Cuomo is forging a path forward, and we hope that today’s announcement will encourage other cities, states and nations to join New York in making a bold commitment to fight global warming in advance of this December’s international climate talks in Paris.

Our citizens want climate action. We stand ready to help Governor Cuomo deliver it. We look forward to working with the Governor to achieve the ambitious goals announced today.”

Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York, shakeshands with Govenor Cuomo.