Just Atonement Inc. Calls On New York to Protect the Right to a Healthy Environment

June 30, 2022 (New York) - Just Atonement Inc. has formally called on the State of New York to protect the right to a healthy environment by reducing in-state emissions in conformity with IPCC recommendations, and to regulate investments in and financing of fossil fuel projects taking place in the State.

“New York is under a legal, constitutional duty to expedite the draw down of greenhouse gas emissions and to aggressively restrict investment activity in the State that contributes to new fossil fuel projects that are heating the planet,” said Dave-Inder Comar, Executive Director of Just Atonement Inc.

The comments from Just Atonement Inc. were provided in response to a call for comment from New York’s Climate Action Council on its proposed Scoping Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York.

In November 2021, New Yorkers amended the State constitution to recognize the right to a healthy environment in New York. Just Atonement Inc. argued in its comments that this legal recognition of a right to a healthy environment imposes specific obligations and responsibilities on New York to stabilize the climate. The full letter can be found here.