How Does Protecting Our Environment Increase Resilience?
New Yorkers are increasingly facing the challenges of extreme weather – intensifying storms, rising sea levels, prolonged heat waves, and damaging floods that disrupt lives and livelihoods. In response, New York State is making historic investments to help protect communities, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems from the impacts of climate change.
Resilient NY is a one stop shop to help New Yorkers adapt to changes from extreme weather events. This website provides a centralized platform with quick links and tools to help plan and implement measures to reduce risk and adapt to climate change. Guidance, best practices, funding opportunities, and resources are provided to help local governments, businesses, and residents plan and act with confidence.
Using Nature to Strengthen Climate Resilience
New York recognizes that healthy natural systems play a key role in protecting communities from climate change. Wetlands, forests, and rivers help absorb floodwaters, reduce heat, and support biodiversity. That's why New York State is investing in efforts to restore and protect these natural areas as part of its climate resilience strategy. The projects not only safeguard the environment but also help New Yorkers adapt to impacts of a changing climate.
Advancing a Unified Climate Adaptation Strategy
To coordinate these efforts, New York has launched the Statewide Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan, establishing a framework to align climate adaptation planning across agencies and communities.
New York State is advancing efforts to address the impacts of climate change through commitments including the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act) and the Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA). Through programs such as the NYS Climate Smart Communities program, DOS Countywide Resiliency Planning Program, and more, the State helps local communities build resilience and supports local adaptation. Additional resources include dedicated funding for planning and implementation of projects, providing technical assistance and other community support services, supporting region-specific climate resilience initiatives, and undertaking and funding targeted research.
A Historic Commitment to Climate Resilience
In 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly supported passage of the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act). Bond Act funding supports new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. More than $1.5 billion in Bond Act dollars has already been invested in projects across the state. Visit www.EnvironmentalBondAct.ny.gov to learn more, find funded projects in your community, and discover opportunities for funding.
Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, New York State recently enacted the Sustainable Future Program, committing more than $1 billion to tackle the climate crisis. This is the largest climate investment in state history and supports a range of initiatives, including renewable energy deployment, clean transportation, and building decarbonization.
Additionally, the state is enacting the Climate Change Superfund Act, requiring certain fossil fuel companies to contribute to a fund aimed at repairing damage from extreme weather events and enhancing resiliency through projects like coastal wetland restoration and infrastructure upgrades.