RAY BROOK — At its June Adirondack Park Agency meeting, board members discussed the critical impacts of climate change on the public health, environment and economy of the Adirondack Park and passed a resolution in support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s commitment to combat climate change.

The resolution opposes the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and reaffirms the Agency’s commitment to achieving the goals established by Cuomo and New York state to address climate change, greenhouse gas emission reductions and New York’s leadership in a United States Climate Change Alliance. Under Cuomo’s leadership, New York has become a national and international leader in the battle against climate change. The state previously set ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets to decrease emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. New York is aggressively committed to renewable energy sources and guidelines that are complementary goals to the Paris Climate Agreement.

On June 1, Cuomo announced the formation of the United States Climate Alliance in collaboration with the states of California and Washington. The coalition is committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement.

“The impacts of climate change transcends regional boundaries and political affiliations,” said APA Chairman Sherman Craig. “In the Adirondacks we have witnessed the devastating impacts of catastrophic weather events which damaged our communities costing millions in reconstruction and lost revenue. Our winter economy is threatened by unpredictable weather and shorter seasons. And it is a proven fact that the increase use of coal-fired power plants in the Mid-west will bring acid rain which kills aquatic and terrestrial life in our higher elevation forests and waterbodies. Governor Cuomo’s brave leadership opposing the United States withdrawal from the Pairs Climate Agreement is a turnkey moment for New York state and the Adirondack Park.”