Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre announced her appointment to the Climate Change Work Group. In an effort to decrease greenhouse gas emissions that have adversely affected our communities, the group will discuss potential initiatives to reduce and combat the effects of climate change.

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy made the issue of climate change all too real for Long Islanders. I want to thank Speaker Heastie for creating the Climate Change Work Group to help our state combat climate change and the extreme weather it's causing,” Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre said. “The decisions we make today will impact the well-being of our families and I am honored to be a part of this effort and look forward to working with my colleagues on crafting concrete solutions to tackle a problem that will define our generation.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie formed the work group to study measures and take action against greenhouse gas emissions, a known cause of climate change. Due to growing evidence of climate change and recent events, such as Hurricane Sandy and record snowfall, that have claimed lives and cost billions of dollars in economic loss, the group will be tasked with recommending possible revisions to existing laws that will help to minimize our vulnerability to future extreme weather events.

Along with Assemblymember Steve Englebright, chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre will also serve on the Climate Change Work Group with the following Assemblymembers:

• William Colton;
• Kevin A. Cahill;
• Fred W. Thiele, Jr.;
• Barbara S. Lifton;
• Steven Otis;
• Robert J. Rodriguez;
• James Skoufis; and
• Roxanne J. Persaud