“Climate activists, especially young people, know we can’t wait four years to prevent the worst of the crisis. The longer we wait to act, the more politicians and corporations take away from the futures of people growing up right now.”

In the wake of Donald Trump’s re-election, many have given up on forward movement in the coming years, instead shifting focus to preventing as much destruction as possible. This is a luxury we can’t afford. Climate activists, especially young people, know we can’t wait four years to prevent the worst of the crisis. The longer we wait to act, the more politicians and corporations take away from the futures of people growing up right now.

My generation (Gen Z), is the first to grow up with a palpable fear of the climate crisis looming since childhood. As extreme, “once-in-a-lifetime” climate disasters color our young adulthood, we are forced to imagine a different future for ourselves than previous generations had. This growing sense of planetary uncertainty is a driving force for many young adults in choosing not to have children, speaking to a lack of hope for our future.

However, involving myself in progressive organizations has given me hope and convinced me we must win this battle. Future generations need us to preserve as much as we can for them. As a member of the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led movement for climate justice, I am fighting for a future in which my peers and future generations can grow up on a safe and healthy planet, with a government that cares enough to protect us.

The Sunrise Movement New York City hub is a group of young people volunteering our time to fight for a solution to the climate crisis. We understand the significance of New York’s global influence, and its power to create change. New York City should be leading the fight against climate change, but with an inadequate mayor and a dismally slow net zero plan, we are falling behind.

New Yorkers already feel the effects of climate change, from routine flooding of subway stations to 80-degree days in October. The city experienced its first drought in 22 years this fall, causing wildfires and lowering reservoir levels. A 1-in-1,000 rainfall event in August of 2024 flooded parts of New York City and Long Island, stopping trains, destroying roads, and killing two people.

About 350 New Yorkers die each summer because of extreme heat, and that threat continues to grow as the city sees more frequent hot days. Experts predict that sea levels will rise between six and 11 inches in the next 30 years, regularly flooding and even fully covering coastal areas all over the city. Human-caused climate change is contributing to these natural disasters and will continue to make them worse.

As one of the largest and most diverse cities in the world, New York City also has some of the most extreme socioeconomic disparities. Almost a quarter of New Yorkers live in poverty, and more than half have a difficult time paying their bills. People of color and women are more likely to experience poverty, and extreme heat, flooding, and other climate disasters are going to harm these vulnerable groups the most. Poor people and immigrants keep New York City running and allow rich residents to live the lives they enjoy. It is an immense injustice that the city with the most millionaires in the world (approximately 350,000), is not using its wealth to prepare for climate change and prevent as much destruction as we can.

I believe that a better, greener city is possible and that the young people living here deserve it. We have the money, power, and opportunity to make the city better for all residents while cutting carbon emissions. New York City deserves a transportation system with proper government investment, including protected bike lanes, electric buses, and trains that are safe, resilient to heat, and affordable. We need affordable, safe housing and accessible heating and cooling spaces for New Yorkers to handle extreme temperatures. Disaster relief, urban green spaces, and affordable healthy food should all be parts of a climate plan that changes this city for the better.

New York City has huge global influence and should be leading the way on climate action, while encouraging other big cities to follow. After the presidential election, climate activists can continue to make progress by shifting to a more local focus. Many smaller cities around the country are already taking bold climate action, while New York City falls behind. A vast majority of the people in the United States live in urban areas, and if cities and states around the country take action, progress can be made without relying on the federal government.

There is power in the moment happening now. The mayoral election is coming up, giving New York the opportunity to pick a leader who will take strong action on climate issues. Sunrise Movement NYC is one of the many New York-based climate organizations who has seen a huge increase in members and interest. The presidential election results have ignited interest in progressive organizations and movements across the country.

We must harness this energy to take necessary action and prevent the worst of the climate crisis, starting in this city and reverberating around the world. It is time for New Yorkers to get involved in organizations like Sunrise NYC, and to elect a climate-focused mayor who will move us in the right direction.

Cooper Flaherty is a member of the Sunrise Movement NYC hub communications team, and a CUNY nursing student.