It's the Brian Laird Show on WNYC. Welcome back everybody. I'm Cusha Navadar filling in for Brian who's on vacation this week.

Now for our climate story of the week, I've seen a lot of people walking around with those portable personal

fans this summer. They're trying to manage the heat and during what has been one of

our hottest summers. Maybe you felt the effects of climate change this summer. It's on track to being the second warmest summer in New York City on record. That's according to the National Weather Service.

And it may make you wonder who should pay for the costs of climate change.

Now obviously I'm not talking about reimbursing those personal fans.

I'm talking about improving shorelines and stormwater management systems and elevating streets and

railways. The New York State Legislature recently passed a bill that would make

polluters pay for the costs of climate change. It's now awaiting

Governor Kathy Hockel's signature. Joining me now to talk about what this bill

could do in New York State and also discuss the climate politics of Comla Harris.

We have Bill McKibbin, the environmental activist, founder of Third Act, and author of many books,

most recently the book The Flag, The Cross and the Station W station wagon a graying American looks back at his

suburban boyhood and wonders what the hell happened bill welcome to w NYC

Lucia what a pleasure to be with you. It's real pleasure to have you.

Can you tell us more about the idea, this principle of polluters pay for climate change?

I sure can't. Let's look at this week in America right now there's a

huge storm Debbie that's come ashore in Florida and now is going to wander over the

lowlands of the Carolinas in Georgia and by weeks end may

well be dropping an awful lot of rain on southern New York.

It brings back memories of Irene and sandy and lots and lots of these other superstorms

that we now see.

...