While we did not get approval to host another Climate Justice Pavilion like we did at last year's United Nations Climate Conference, our staff are in Dubai for COP28 where Peggy Shepard will be calling for climate justice on several panels. It is a critical forum for uplifting the voices of those most-impacted by climate change and ensuring that climate justice is part of the global discussions on how to address the climate crisis.
New EPA Rules will Help Phase Out Lead Pipes Across the Country
Great news from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)! The EPA has approved much stricter rules for lead water contamination that will require lead pipes to be replaced in communities across the country. The agency has signaled a 100% commitment to full lead service line replacement that will allow public water systems to identify where and in what communities contamination is most present. As the EPA has stated, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and too often, environmental justice communities bear the brunt of its harmful effects, especially in New York which has some of the highest rates of lead exposure in the country. We commend the EPA for backing up their stated commitments with action.
Join Us for the Launch of the Green Healthy Schools Campaign
Our decaying school infrastructure in New York City is contributing to pollution, fossil fuel use, and asthma. New York City's school buildings alone account for nearly 20% of the city's fossil fuel emissions, and right now, schools rely on dirty fossil fuels to power and heat classrooms. Suffice to say, our 100-year-old infrastructure desperately needs repairs and upgrades. Join us on Tuesday, December 5th at City Hall as we launch the Green Healthy Schools campaign to call on the City to invest in safe, healthy, and comfortable schools in every neighborhood, regardless of zip code.
TAKE ACTION: Stop Serious Cuts to Parks and Compost Funding
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced large city budget cuts including to the parks system and important composting programs. This is a huge loss for green space and zero waste efforts in the city. Find out how you can take action to stop this:
Phone Bank and Sign the Petition for Composting: Mayor Adams is moving to eliminate The New York City Compost Project and GrowNYC’s compost funding, which serves millions of New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs. Sign GrowNYC's petition and sign up for phone banking to City Council members this Saturday, December 2.
Rally at City Hall for Composting: Join a rally at City Hall on Wednesday, December 6at 1 pm calling to stop the cuts to composting.
Don't Cut the Parks Budget: The NYC Parks budget has been underfunded for 40 years and now the Mayor is moving to cut the budget by as much as 15%. Write directly to the Mayor and your Council Member opposing these cuts and demanding overdue investment in our parks and open spaces.
Upcoming Webinar: LNG Through Her Eyes
To learn more about liquified natural gas (LNG) from the perspective of environmental justice leaders and organizers, join us on Wednesday, December 6 at 5 pm for Liquified Natural Gas | Through Her Eyes. Our panelists include Kari Fulton, Organizing Director, Center for Oil and Gas Organizing (COGO), Morgan Johnson, NRDC Staff Attorney and Zulene Mayfield, Chairperson, Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living (“CRCQL”) CRCQL, who will offer unique insights into the LNG landscape and impacts in their communities. The panel will be moderated by Jasmine Jennings, Federal Regulatory Affairs Manager & Attorney at WE ACT. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on a critical issue!
We joined a rally this week calling on Governor Hochul and the NY State Assembly to pass the NY HEAT Act. You've probably heard us talk about this bill before, but exactly does it do? The answer is a lot. For starters, this bill would reduce utility bills for New Yorkers by eliminating wasteful gas subsidies and capping energy bills at 6% of a household’s income, potentially saving low- and middle-income families up to $75 per month. It would also end the "100-foot rule" - a state regulation that benefits the gas industry - which is costing New Yorkers more than $200 million every year to unwittingly expand our gas system and fossil fuel use. It would also redirect billions of dollars toward neighborhood-scale, clean electrification projects.
In short, NY HEAT would help our climate and our pocketbooks and is a major priority for WE ACT in 2024.Take a minute to send a pre-written letter to your representative telling them to pass NY HEAT by clicking below!
White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council Warns About Carbon Management
The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC), which Peggy Shepard co-chairs, has just released crucial recommendations on carbon management including calling for cessation of all carbon management projects. Carbon management technologies are largely unproven and potentially dangerous, especially for environmental justice communities, yet federal investments in these technologies are continuing. The recommendations the council has released call on the Biden administration to seriously consider the risks and impact on environmental justice that carbon management poses.
Calling Out FERC: In an article about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) purported focus on environmental justice, Jasmine Jennings spoke truth to power, noting that FERC's actions do not reflect this. FERC continues to greenlight harmful projects impacting environmental justice communities, and have yet to reject any project because of concerns about environmental justice.
New Uptown Chats Episode: Legacy of Lead
Check out the new episode of Uptown Chats podcast about lead and environmental justice! Lonnie and Jaron sit down with WE ACT’s Director of Policy Sonal Jessel, MPH and Matthew Chachere, Former Staff Attorney at Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), to talk about the long, ongoing struggle against childhood lead poisoning in New York and why it’s such a critical environmental justice issue.
Follow Uptown Chats on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or stream directly from Castos.Have an idea for future episodes? Let us know by taking the Uptown Chats survey to help plan next year’s episodes!
Join the Digital Day of Action for Renewable Rikers
Despite the enactment of the Renewable Rikers Act, Mayor Adams' administration has failed to meet several deadlines required by the law to shut down and transform Rikers. Join the Digital Day of Action for Renewable Rikers on Zoom from 5 - 6 pm on Wednesday, December 6 to post, email, and phone the Adams administration to pressure them to comply with the law and take concrete steps toward transforming Rikers Island from a vestige of slavery and mass incarceration to a site of sustainability and reparative justice.
Community-Owned Property Gaining Traction in Harlem, But More is Needed
Congratulations to the East Harlem/El Barrio Community Land Trust (EHEBCLT) who opened their first community-owned property in East Harlem on November 17! We need more land and property in the hands of community land trusts like EHEBCLT, who will prioritize community projects and neighborhood needs, instead of in the hands of profit-driven, wealthy developers. This is why we are fighting for the Community Land Act which would force the City to prioritize community-ownership and local needs over harmful development. Take a minute to tell the NYC Council and Speaker Adams to get this law passed!
There's Still Time to Support WE ACT for Giving Tuesday!
Giving Tuesday was this week, but the donation match has been extended! Click here to support our work as an Environmental Justice Sustainer and have your donation matched 100%.
Indoor Air Temperature Study Looking for Volunteers
Do you experience freezing temperatures in your apartment over the winter? In the summer, are you left sweltering in the heat in your own home? Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health are conducting a project investigating indoor temperatures. They are looking for residents of apartment buildings who would be interested in having two small temperature sensors installed in two rooms of their home, which will record temperatures from this winter season until the end of summer 2024. Participants will be compensated $50 per household for their effort! If you are interested in participating, fill out the form or contact Robbie M. Parks at [email protected].
We Need to Hear From You About What Life in NYC is Like!
WE ACT has teamed up with Communities Speak to gather data on what living in New York City is really like. Communities Speak collects information on the experiences of New Yorkers across the five boroughs that is shared with city policymakers and helps make sure that policy in our city is made with the needs of our community in mind. Please take a few minutes to share your opinions!
