It has been devastating to watch the news coming out of Nepal, not only because of the lives lost, those still missing, and entire neighborhoods wiped out, but also because of the acute awareness that these disasters could have been mitigated if not prevented, that such disasters will continue to occur against the backdrop of a failed system of global politics hijacked by corporate interests and politicians who enable them.

Those living at the frontline of economic and climate injustice, which includes the entire Himalayan region, do not want to depend on charity after the fact. What they need is a system that does not leave them out to begin with, a politics of internationalism and solidarity rooted in cooperation, collaboration, knowledge-sharing, collective well-being, and need-based problem-solving rather than the foolish and short-sighted commitment to solving the world’s biggest crises through the framework of capitalist self-interest, which led to the problems to begin with.

Life-saving technologies, knowledge, and medicine should not be held by corporations for profit. Countries that have been left poor should not be held hostage to massive debts that are impossible to pay. The Global South should not have to watch itself crumble as nations that hoard wealth and power take no meaningful action towards addressing the climate crisis, and instead use their resources to launch wars and enrich shareholders. The climate crisis that enables disasters of this scale will not be addressed until we take our critical infrastructure — whether that’s physical or social — back from investors who profit off our most basic needs.

Here in New York, we have always had an opportunity to pass policies and set agendas that shape our path towards these ends not just for this country, but others, too. Policies like public ownership of our energy grid, building publicly-owned renewables and putting them towards public benefit, creating union jobs and investing in training and education but also strengthening labor standards across supply chains; single-payer healthcare that demonstrates how you can design a system based on access to care rather than profits, green social housing where families can set roots instead of creating a scarcity of affordable homes that immigrants are somehow blamed for.

The choices we make domestically are critical in shifting our political culture towards one of mutual benefit. As it turns out, solidarity is not just the more moral position, it is also the more logical and practical position. Solidarity is, in the end, self-preservation for all.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me over the last few days to share their thoughts that are with Nepal.