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Sayville students meet with Governor Cuomo
Sayville students from the Suffolk Student Climate Action Committee meet with Governor Andrew Cuomo to discuss climate change
The Suffolk Student Climate Action Committee (SSCAC) is a committee comprised of high school students from across Suffolk County demanding climate change action from elected officials. Two members of the Sayville high school chapter, junior Harrison Bench and sophomore Lilia Bartolotta, met with Governor Andrew Cuomo on May 31st to discuss Climate Change.
The Sayville SSCAC students, along with their Mentor, Melissa Horak Parrott were invited to attend the Governor’s event on enhancing Long Island's Marine Habitats. The student’s traveled with the Governor, County Executive Steve Bellone, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner, Basil Seggos and other dignitaries aboard a fishing boat to witness the creation of the first of twelve artificial reefs being developed from parts of the old Tappan Zee Bridge, 2 miles offshore of Long Island.
During this event, the students had the opportunity to speak with Governor Cuomo at length about the actions needed to reduce the effects of climate change, and the work SSCAC is doing to tackle these urgent issues. The Governor was so impressed with the Sayville high school students, he mentioned them in his event speech by saying, “we people to stand up now and it is important to see students like these engaged in making change happen”. Both Governor Cuomo and County Executive Bellone agreed to meet with the students one on one to discuss further ideas.
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The SSCAC recommends to all elected officials they meet with, to follow Governor Cuomo’s Clean Energy Standard, which mandates 50 percent of New York's electricity to come from renewable energy sources like wind and solar by 2030.
The Sayville students are currently working with the Town of Islip to follow the lead of East Hampton and Southampton to transition to 100% renewable electricity. They are making strides and have been invited to sit on the Islip Town Environmental Council. From this position, they will push for Islip to become a Climate Smart Community, the first step towards a clean energy transition. For additional information, please contact, www.ssclimateactioncommittee.com
