Temperatures are rising, but New York’s dedication to supporting environmental resources isn’t.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget set aside a “historic” $300 million to support the Environmental Protection Fund for the third year in a row. But whether the funding will make a dent in global warming for New Yorkers is murky.

While the investment is significant, the funding has remained stagnant for the past three years. As New Yorkers feel the effects of global warming on their soil — from the floods of Superstorm Sandy to the hottest summers on record — a corresponding increase in funding to combat these environmental issues is warranted.

“It is disappointing that the amount funded has not increased in the last three years while our problems in protecting our environment continue to grow,” said Carmen Carrión-Flores, an assistant professor of environmental economics at Syracuse University. “It is difficult to determine if this level of funding will be enough to address future and possibly unknown challenges adequately (in New York state).”

The $300 million includes $154 million for open space programs, $86 million for parks and recreation, $39 million for solid waste programs and $21 million for the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Program, according to a press release from Cuomo’s office. Although climate change may see the smallest “official” cut of the funding, devoting resources to other items on this list will support the state’s capacity to deal with global warming.

“The EPF’s target areas seem on point to address current environmental challenges,” Carrión-Flores said. “Prioritizing the preservation of open space is right on to lessen the impacts of climate change.”

If equipped with more resources, the Environmental Protection Fund can tackle long-standing issues in New York communities like Syracuse.

“If some of this funding goes to the effort of restoring Onondaga Lake to improve wildlife habitats and reduce runoff, that is a positive impact on this region,” Carrión-Flores said.

No matter how you look at it, Cuomo’s 2019 budget addresses key environmental issues and has the potential to benefit Syracuse directly. But if New York wants to invest in its own future, it needs to allocate more resources. Because even all the money in the world doesn’t matter when there isn’t a planet to call home.

Maizy Ludden is a senior biology major. Her column appears biweekly. You can reach her at mtludden@syr.edu.

Published on February 4, 2018 at 10:52 pm