New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says her trip and presence in Europe this week “certainly puts New York in the spotlight” in the eyes of the world.
Hochul was in Italy Thursday morning to participate in Pope Francis’ Pontifical Academy of Social Science's three-day joint summit with a focus on climate change.
“I listened to the pope speak in the morning and he talked about our responsibility to others, and making sure that as we lead our nation into transitioning into clean energy and renewables, we also make sure that those from disadvantaged communities have the resources they need to do the same and not be bearing the brunt of additional costs,” Hochul told Spectrum News 1 Thursday afternoon.
She said New York is viewed as one of the leaders in combatting climate change and highlighted the efforts of building up shorelines and improving infrastructure like subways to adapt to a more climate-volatile world.
“We’ve seen extreme, extreme weather events just in the two and a half years I’ve been governor, with hurricanes and thousand-year flooding events and historic heat and air quality. Just a year ago we were dealing with the wildfires of Quebec, and extreme snow, and we’ve dealt with a lot here,” Hochul said.
“We’re the first generation to really feel the effects of climate change but truly the last to be able to do anything about it. And that’s the message I want delivered,” she added.
Hochul, raised an Irish Catholic, also said meeting Pope Francis was impactful and “talked about his blessings for New Yorkers.”
Hochul is now in Ireland and over the weekend will give a keynote address on “The Future of Cities” at the inaugural Global Economic Summit in Killarney, which aims to address the challenges of climate change and economic inequality.
“There’s an interest of people wanting to live together once again in cities and it’s our job to keep them safe and affordable,” Hochul said.
She said she has already spoken with leaders there about New York’s affordable housing shortage and her and the Legislature’s efforts to come up with a housing plan this year. She added a lack of affordable housing is a common problem in Europe as well.
She also spoke with businesses there and encouraged them to come to New York, invest in New York and create jobs in the state.
“I will go anywhere anytime to recruit businesses to the state of New York,” she said.
Hochul will return home on Monday. This is her second international trip in a little more than six months. She visited Israel in October, shortly after the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
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