Tell Governor Hochul to protect global rainforests >>

The New York Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act would help SAVE forests around the world and FIGHT human rights abuses of Indigenous people.

New York State has an outsized influence over some of the companies perpetrating forest destruction. Because of its large economy, companies want New York’s business – which means this bill in this state is especially powerful.

But with Governor Hochul making her decision soon, we’re running out of time to make sure this bill becomes law. Please take just 30 seconds now to add your support.

Kathy

Hochul

Dear Governor Hochul, 
 
New York Climate Week is a global event where leaders like you have an opportunity to take high visibility action on climate justice. As governor of New York, the world’s tenth largest economy, you are in a unique position to use your platform to advance climate justice in a very concrete way by signing the New York Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act.

This week, forest defenders from Brazil to Borneo and from Ecuador to Equatorial Guinea will be in New York City standing for climate justice. For these people, climate leadership means defending and protecting their vulnerable forest homes from the destruction caused by industrial scale deforestation. The New York Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act (S5921/A6872 Krueger/Zebrowski) is a groundbreaking bill to use state procurement dollars to bring a halt to this destruction.

Earlier this year the European Union passed similar legislation, to ban imports of deforestation-linked products to all EU member states. The bill sitting on your desk right now will affirm and support the action that one of the world’s largest economies has already taken – and will demonstrate New York’s leadership on the world stage.

As you know, global deforestation is the second largest driver of the climate emergency, and a major contributor to extreme weather events like the super storms that are constantly threatening New York. During this year’s NY Climate Week, it is more apparent than ever that New York can and must act. This bill, if enacted, will ensure any business providing goods or services to New York do not contribute to tropical forest degradation and the associated abuses of Indigenous Peoples and the local communities in tropical forested regions. By ensuring the products that the New York state government buys do not contribute to the destruction of Earth’s most vital ecosystems, New York will make a vital contribution to slowing the climate emergency.

Governor Hochul, this bill is the practical embodiment of broad policies you have outlined in EO 22 and in your last two State of the State addresses.  This bill, once enshrined in law, puts New York in the forefront of a new climate and business era. By opening the state’s procurement system, this bill allows the state to invest in its people and businesses via state-directed procurement funding. Signing this bill says forcefully that the State of New York is directly addressing a global, national, and state-wide problem with profound implications for all of its citizens.  By taking this action, New York will also be well positioned as a leader in the global marketplace, as the world makes the necessary transition to sustainable economies.

Having passed the legislature with a landslide bi-partisan majority, the New York Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act is a heartening sign that New York continues its commitment to combat climate change and pursue environmental justice everywhere.

This is why I respectfully urge you, Governor Hochul, to celebrate NY Climate Week by signing this critical bill into law.

I thank you, and the world’s rainforests thank you.

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