Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Climate Superfund Bill into law on December 26, requiring large fossil fuel companies in New York to help fund projects that protect New Yorkers from climate change issues such as flooding and extreme heat. With the billions of dollars it costs to repair the damages caused by climate change, this bill ensures that fossil fuel companies are held financially responsible. These companies will now partially fund programs such as coastal protection and flood mitigation systems.
This legislation is not only significant for New York as a whole but also for the Fieldston community and its Environmental Club, which actively supported this climate action. Sophia Nathanson (Form VI), co-leader of the Environmental Club, explained the club’s efforts to reach Governor Hochul: “As a club, we did a petition drive where people would send online letters to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to act on climate issues, and we are planning to do more drives and community campaigns to bother our local representatives to act on climate issues.” Nathanson emphasized the importance of high school students advocating for local laws, “it’s especially important for our clubs to focus on local law.” Even small environmental changes that occur in New York State or at the Fieldston campus contribute to the greater fight for climate action.
Nathanson strongly supports the Climate Superfund Bill, calling it “a big step in making big oil and gas companies to be held more responsible for the damage they are doing economically.” She elaborated, “Somebody is going to have to pay the price for building the infrastructure to adapt to climate change, and it’s either the taxpayers and the state directly or it’s going to be the fossil fuel companies who actually caused these climate change issues.” However, Nathanson acknowledged that while the bill is a step in the right direction, it doesn’t address the root cause of climate change: “We don’t need these oil companies to be more responsible, we need them to go away and we need renewable green energy.” She describes how many steps have been taken to hold these companies responsible but it is not enough for them to stop creating harm to the environment and they will continue.
Eve Kaplan (Form VI), co-leader of the Environmental Club, also supports holding fossil fuel companies accountable. However, Kaplan expressed cautious optimism, noting, “I think that holding them accountable will actually make a change in how they make their materials,” but it also “would not surprise me if nothing changed.” Despite doubts about the bill’s ability to address the core issues, Kaplan highlighted the Environmental Club’s ongoing efforts to create meaningful impacts within the community. From letters to Governor Hochul, petitions and fundraising bake sales, these actions may seem small, but they make a difference.
Both leaders agree that progress is being made in the fight for government and state action on climate issues, and the Environmental Club is determined to continue its advocacy. Nathanson reflected, “It feels impossible sometimes to make a difference in terms of climate, but I want to do my part and make a positive impact on other students.”
