Environmental Justice Leaders Oppose EPA’s Carbon Rule Proposal for Power Plants

Leaders from the environmental justice movement held a press conference to explain why they oppose the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's carbon rule proposal for existing and future power plants that run on coal and natural gas. Participants included (clockwise from the upper left) Monique Harden, Director of Law and Public Policy/Community Engagement Program Manager at the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice; Peggy Shepard, Co-Founder and Executive Director of WE ACT For Environmental Justice; Omega Wilson, Co-Founder and Co-Director of West End Revitalization Association; Sofia Owen, Attorney at Alternatives for Community and Environment; and Dr. Nicky Sheats, Director of the Center for the Urban Environment at the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University. Watch the video replay to learn why false solutions like carbon capture and green hydrogen are threats to environmental justice.

Community Picnic with NYC Council Member Carmen De La Rosa

Join us on Saturday, August 12 from 12 - 5 pm in Highbridge Park (170th & Amsterdam) for New York City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa’s community picnic. In addition to the Council Member, U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat and New York State Senator Manny De Los Santos will be there, along with special guest Manny Cruz! There will be music, raffles, and surprises.

Communicating Environmental Science/Comunicado Ciencia Ambiental

Reunise el 17 de agosto, 6:30 - 8 pm por zoom para desarrollar un electorado de Uptown que se movilice en temas de la justicia ambiental y motivado por una comprensión de cómo su participación en los procesos políticos puede conducir a mejores oportunidades económicas y de salud para ellos y su comunidad, y comunicar la ciencia ambiental de una forma inclusiva.

Marileidy Pimentel Speaking at Climathon Peru

Marileidy Pimentel will be speaking at Climathon Peru 2023 on August 11, a virtual event designed to transform local citizens into climate entrepreneurs. Leveraging WE ACT’s historical body of work, she will be talking about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Peggy Shepard Talks Extreme Heat at Harlem Week Climate Change Conference

Peggy Shepard helped kick off Harlem Week by speaking to a standing-room only audience at the Climate Change Conference hosted by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Climate School. Follow this link to see what else is on the schedule for Harlem Week.

Sonal Jessel Spoke About Climate Justice at THE CITY Panel in Queens 

Sonal Jessel was on a panel with Gloria Boyce-Charles of the Eastern Queens Alliance and THE CITY reporter Samantha Maldonado discussing the impacts of climate change on New York City. Held at the Queens Public Library, the panel discussion was part of a series of Open Newsroom events THE CITY is hosting to bring current news topics directly to the people. You can read about it here.

Youth Put Our Leadership Training Into Practice

Summer Search students who graduated from this summer’s Youth Environmental Health & Justice Leadership Training program applied what they learned to make presentations on environmental justice issues impacting their community. One team developed a website on food waste, called Save the Scraps, which gives a good overview of the problem as well as offers some potential solutions. It also features a map for dumpsters diving (including ratings for specific dumpsters, for the gourmets out there) and another map of community fridges. Check it out here!

WE ACT Part of Representative Espaillat’s Environmental Justice Boat Tour

Sonal Jessel, Tyisha Smalls, and Marileidy Pimentel joined other advocates and community leaders for U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat’s Environmental Justice Tour along the Harlem River. They shared insight into environmental and climate justice issues affecting the community along with solutions we are advocating for, including our work in East Harlem and its waterfront. CBS New York did a nice story on it here.

• LIHEAP Funding Runs Dry: Crain's NY Business reported that New York’s HEAP Cooling Assistance Program ran out of funds a mere 24 days into what is already shaping up to be the hottest summer on record, noting our call for immediate action from the City and State to provide emergency fundings.
• Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning: Harlem World Magazine reported on the three bills we have been advocating for  that were passed by the New York City Council to help prevent childhood lead poisoning.
• EPA's Carbon Rule Proposal: Peggy Shepard was quoted in a National Catholic Reporter’s EarthBeat article on why we oppose the EPA’s carbon rule proposal for power plants. 

Upcoming Green Institute Courses

WE ACT's Green Institute is offering a free course to become trained in Building Electrification Electrical Systems: Lighting, HVAC & Refrigeration as well as training for career advancement and job placement. Becoming trained in building electrification gives you the necessary safety and skills training to land new jobs in the construction industry and become a part of the growing green revolution.

The course will be held September 18 - 29. There will be one more upcoming information session on August 23 to learn more about the course and answer any questions you may have! If you are interested, fill out an application and you will be contacted about next steps for attending an information session and the training.

New Episode of Uptown Chats About Transportation

This month Lonnie and Jaron sat down with Louis Bailey, WE ACT's Manager of Membership and Organizing, and WE ACT member Flora Huang to talk about transportation justice. Check out all the episodes, including the newest one!