"One year after Hurricane Ida struck, families are still grieving, communities still rebuilding from the flooding that destroyed homes and took the lives of thirteen of our neighbors. It is maddening to know that one year later, if Ida were to strike our shores today, its impact would be much the same.
"The city, state, and federal government have not taken the necessary steps, with necessary urgency, to protect New Yorkers from climate catastrophes that are no longer once in a century, but regular occurrences. In addition to providing all possible aid to people still reeling from the devastation of last year, the government must take immediate steps to develop the infrastructure needed for when, not if, the next storm hits. Some of the efforts announced by the city today are promising, but must be accelerated. We must codify, not condemn, units created out of desperation in a housing crisis, and protect them from the climate crisis. And I ask the Council to pass our emergency alert and flood prevention legislation.
"We cannot wait another year, for another catastrophic event, before we summon the courage and conviction to pursue long-term solutions."