Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
Dear Friends:
Happy Earth Day! Fifty years ago, the first Earth Day gave voice to a growing environmental consciousness in the United States, mobilizing Americans from all walks of life and building a nonpartisan consensus for real change. Earth Day led to creating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and protective laws such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. It has remained my inspiration over the years, including when I had the privilege to chair the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation.
Fittingly, today’s 50th Anniversary celebration of Earth Day is organized around the global challenge of climate action. Guarding against the investment risks presented by climate change as part of our preparation for the transition to a low-carbon economy has become increasingly central in my work as trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund. As a result, I’d like to share with you an Earth Day Sustainability Update.
Climate change is also central to the work of the Office of the State Comptroller overall, where we strive to incorporate environmental awareness into our daily operations through policies addressing recycling, energy efficiency, conservation of materials and resources, online training and more. We have moved State payments, contract approvals and a great deal of Retirement System business to electronic platforms, reducing paper use and enhancing efficiency.
I hope you all enjoy Earth Day 2020. For some, it may provide a respite from the immediate demands of crisis management; for others, perhaps it will serve as a welcome reminder of how widely shared our aspirations for a clean, green planet are. I look forward to working with you to build a healthier, more sustainable and more prosperous future for all.
