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The link between environmental destruction and our worsening climate catastrophe is undeniable. The Southeast is still reeling after supercharged tropical storms wreaked havoc upon the region, while the Amazon is experiencing its most devastating fires in 20 years.

One major driver of our planet’s rapid warming is deforestation. As the incoming Trump administration readies an anti-environment agenda, states must be ready to lead with swift legislative action. New York can lead the way, starting with the Tropical Rainforest Economic & Environmental Sustainability (TREES) Act, a powerful bill awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature before the end of the year.

Tropical deforestation is caused by industries that produce everyday products like leather, cocoa, coffee, soy, palm oil and paper. The European Union adopted first-of-its-kind legislation in 2023 — the EU Deforestation Regulation law........

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