Thirty-five years ago, WE ACT for Environmental Justice began as a group of activists fighting against the North River Sewage Treatment Plant polluting their community. Today, we are a recognized leader in the Environmental Justice movement. As the year draws to a close, we look back on our historic successes to draw inspiration for 2024. Here are ten highlights from our 35 year history:
1992: Secured a $55 million odor abatement plan for the North River Sewage Treatment Plant and obtained a $1.1 million environmental benefit fund for the West Harlem Community
1996: Launched a campaign resulting in conversion of the NYC bus fleet to hybrid-electric buses that reduce emissions by 95%.
2004: A WE ACT-led coalition of parents and residents pushed the New York City Council to pass a strong lead poisoning standard.
2009: Hosted a community-based planning process that resulted in the construction and opening of the West Harlem Piers Park on the Hudson River at 125th Street.
2012: Opened our Washington, DC federal policy office to magnify the voices and perspectives of low income communities of color in federal environmental, climate, and energy policy.
2017: Won the passage of the Asthma Free Homes bill, which mandates that NYC landlords clean up dangerous asthma triggers inside city apartments.
2019: Played a grassroots advocacy role in a landmark slate of policy wins including the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the Climate Mobilization Act, the Child Safe Products Act, and the Period Products Labeling Act.
2022: Secured the passage of the Cumulative Impacts Bill, a landmark environmental justice legislation that ensures cumulative impacts are taken into consideration in the State’s environmental permitting processes when polluting facilities seek permits in disadvantaged communities.
2022: Advocated for the $4 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Bond Act to be included in the New York State budget, specifically ensuring that 35% of the funding go to disadvantaged communities.
2023: Passage of the New York All Electric Buildings Act, which mandates that new buildings are constructed to support electric heating and appliances, which is critical because nearly 70 percent of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings burning fossil fuels. This applies to most new buildings under seven stories beginning in 2026 and buildings over seven stories beginning in 2029.
These successes would not have been possible without the generosity of supporters like you. That’s why a generous WE ACT donor will be matching all gifts dollar-for-dollar until midnight on December 31st. Your $25 gift will become $50, your $250 gift becomes $500. Your support ensures WE ACT can continue to mobilize communities most impacted by pollution and climate change in 2024 and beyond. Will you help us make 2024 our biggest year yet?
