As your candidate for New York State Assembly District 52-representing Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, and our waterfront communities-I recognize that climate change is a serious challenge already affecting our neighborhoods. We've experienced devastating flooding from storms like Sandy and Ida, rising sea levels threatening homes and businesses, and extreme heat waves that hit hardest in densely populated, low-income, and renter-heavy areas.These impacts raise real concerns for environmental justice: frontline communities face disproportionate risks from flooding, heat, and pollution (especially around sites like the Gowanus Canal Superfund area), while bearing high energy and living costs. We need urgent, targeted action that protects working families, reduces vulnerabilities, and delivers tangible benefits-without imposing heavy new burdens through costly mandates or unproven overhauls.
Immediate Flood Protection for Our Vulnerable Waterfront
Our district's low-lying zones near the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Gowanus Canal are at high risk from storm surges, sea level rise, and combined sewer overflows that release contaminants during heavy rains. Residents in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Heights, and Downtown Brooklyn deserve reliable defenses now.
When elected, I will prioritize and advocate for:
- Accelerated construction of flood barriers, elevated protections, and resilient infrastructure around vulnerable waterfront areas-building on proven models like the East Side Coastal Resiliency project.
- A dedicated storm surge gate at the Gowanus Canal entrance (e.g., at Hamilton Avenue) to block incoming tidal surges and contaminated water during major events, coordinated with the EPA Superfund cleanup to avoid trapping pollutants.
- Full funding, fast-tracked permitting, and community input for these projects to address both current threats and future projections-shifting from endless studies to real construction that lowers flood insurance premiums, protects homes and small businesses, and prevents toxic flooding in overburdened areas.
Practical Steps for Resilience and Affordability
We can build long-term strength through affordable, high-impact measures that benefit Brooklyn families today:
- Promote energy efficiency upgrades in homes, apartments, and buildings to cut utility bills, reduce waste, and ease the burden on renters and homeowners.
- Support reliable, cleaner energy technologies-including nuclear power for stable, low-emission baseload where it fits-to help keep energy costs manageable while improving air quality.
- Expand green infrastructure like tree planting, cool roofs, and stormwater-absorbing spaces in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods to provide shade, manage runoff, and enhance livability.
- Advance waste reduction and recycling programs to keep streets cleaner, reduce pollution, and lower long-term community costs.
These steps focus on what works locally: creating jobs in construction and maintenance, improving public health, and delivering cost savings-without relying on aggressive top-down transitions that could drive up energy prices.
A Community-Centered, Evidence-Based Approach
Climate policy in District 52 should center equity, practical protection, and working families-not ideological extremes or expensive experiments. By prioritizing flood defenses, efficiency, and resilient infrastructure, we can make our neighborhoods safer from storms and heat, protect the most vulnerable, and keep Brooklyn affordable and strong.
Together, let's deliver real climate resilience-protecting our homes, lowering costs, and building a fairer future for District 52.
Join me in pushing for these priorities in Albany. Contact me today to share your experiences with flooding or heat, volunteer, or help advocate for solutions that put Brooklyn families first.