Freeport, NY — Today, on the 12th anniversary of climate disaster Superstorm Sandy, Long Island activists and residents of the 4th Congressional District rallied on the Nautical Mile in Freeport against U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s terrible voting record on the climate crisis.

A recording of the event is available here.

Joe Varon, a Food & Water Action volunteer leader from West Hempstead, said:

“Superstorm Sandy was a fossil fueled climate disaster. On the anniversary of its heartbreaking destruction, it is more obvious than ever that Long Islanders climate leadership. Congressman D’Esposito has consistently voted for policies that will wreck the climate, pollute our air and water, and raise our energy bills. We need a climate champion representing NY-4 in Washington, and Laura Gillen is the candidate to make it happen.”

Superstorm Sandy pummeled the South Shore of Long Island twelve years ago, destroying homes, displacing hundreds of families, causing extreme flooding and sewage releases that contaminated drinking water and threatened public health. Rep. D’Esposito has consistently voted to support the fossil fuels supercharging extreme weather like Sandy, and to slash federal clean water funding.

A recent Newsday/Siena College poll found that D’Esposito is trailing Democratic challenger Gillen by 12 percentage points — 41% to 53%.

“By denying climate change, rather than supporting a plan, or even a ‘concept of a plan,’ to combat climate change, and severe weather events, Mr. D’Esposito puts his constituents at risk and in harm’s way. As a legislator for Nasssau’s south shore during Superstorm Sandy, I saw my constituents suffer extensive damage to their properties and businesses. Many businesses, such as those on the Nautical Mile, went under. We fought for funding to harden our coastline and raise our streets, homes and businesses, but congressional action to lessen our carbon footprint is essential. Long Island stands to lose 21% of its coastline; it’s untenable for our representatives to sit back and do nothing,” said Dave Denenberg, Director of LI Clean Air Water & Soil.

“During D’Esposito’s brief tenure in Congress, he thwarted all attempts to diminish our carbon footprint. We are at a critical juncture, yet scientists believe it’s not too late. The south shore of Long Island, which D’Esposito represents, is at the forefront of the climate crisis. We need representatives in Congress who regard climate change with the seriousness it deserves to safeguard the south shore of Long Island,” said Claudia Borecky, President of the Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club.

“Climate change makes it abundantly clear that we live on an island surrounded by water. As we observe the 12th anniversary of one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in American history, and in the shadow of even more destructive killer hurricanes in recent weeks – such as Helene – the need for strong environmental stewardship and leadership is paramount. And based on his record, is profoundly lacking in Representative D’Esposito,” said Paul Bua, a Baldwin resident with Turn Nassau Blue.

“Long Island, and indeed the entire nation, needs offshore wind to fight climate change. Congressman D’Esposito opposed the Empire Wind 2 project, which would have brought much needed clean energy to New York. Any Congress member we elect from the South Shore of Long Island, given the impacts of Sandy and dire possibilities for the future, must vote to expand – not delay – the build-out of much needed alternative energy sources,” said Jim Brown of Chair the Green Party of Nassau County.

“Representative D’Esposito has a responsibility to advocate for his constituents and fight for legislation that will improve our lives. So far, he’s neglected that duty. He’s chosen to protect the interests of the fossil fuel companies rather than fighting to invest in the future of Long Island families. Representative D’Esposito: put the people of Long Island first. Vote against cuts to clean energy jobs and increased energy costs in the Energy and Water Appropriations bills,” said Dylan Wheeler, NY-04 Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices.