NYC witnessed Scott LoBaido’s “New York Pizza Party” protest at City Hall against proposed restrictions on wood-fired pizza ovens, meant to cut carbon emissions by 75%. Many view this as an attack on small businesses and NYC’s cultural heritage. The new emission rules would require pizzerias to invest in control systems costing around $20,000. Mayor Eric Adams urged the public to voice concerns without pizza-tossing theatrics. Protests extend beyond NYC; a Cleveland neighbor was taken to court over wood-fired oven smoke. Balancing tradition with progress remains a complex debate.

