Our staff and members were in full-force in Albany for a multi-pronged advocacy day. We were part of a massive rally at the State Capitol, with more than 300 activists and lawmakers demanding the passage of the entire NY HEAT Act, which will help reduce energy burden for New Yorkers, loosen the grip of the fossil fuel industry, and address the climate crisis. Governor Hochul has included some parts of this bill in her budget proposal but failed to include a key provision capping utility bills at 6 percent of income, a necessary measure to protect low-income New Yorkers from skyrocketing energy bills. WE ACT is one of the leading groups calling on the governor and legislature to pass the entire bill including this provision, which is why we followed the rally with key meetings with legislative staff who were still not 100-percent supportive.
We also met with legislators on the PFAS in Menstrual Products Act, which has been passed by the Senate but still being debated by the Assembly. This bill would ban menstrual products that contain toxic substances from being sold in New York State.
Eric Walker also took part in a NY HEAT rally in Buffalo, which is a strategically important battleground for this legislation.
Keep the Pressure Up for NY HEAT
You can help keep the pressure up for the NY HEAT Act by joining at 7 pm this Sunday, January 28 for a Climate Action Now virtual action party that will be both fun and impactful in support of the NY HEAT Act. In this virtual party, advocates will take coordinated actions on the Climate Action Now app to send messages to lawmakers and media about this critical bill.
Join us for afilm screening of "Toxic Beauty" at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, New York on Sunday, January 28 at 2:30 pm. "Toxic Beauty" is a new documentary that reveals the truth about harmful health consequences of chemicals found in everyday beauty products. The cosmetics and personal care industry in North America is not required to prove an ingredient is safe for human health before it is on the shelves - yeah, it isn’t pretty.
The screening will be followed by a raffle with a chance to win free clean beauty and personal care products! This will be followed by a panel discussion with Beth Fiteni from Green Inside and Out, and WE ACT's Liz Reyes and Briana Carbajal about toxic beauty products and New York’s Beauty Justice Bill, which would ban dangerous toxins in cosmetics.
TAKE ACTION: In addition to attending the film screening, you can take action right now for Beauty Justice and write a letter urging the NY State Legislature to ban harmful chemicals in cosmetics.
Learn About Our New Campaign For Housing and Climate Justice
Last year, for-profit utility companies increased our energy bills by 14%, raking in more profits at the expense of our climate all while our rent is at record highs. Enough is enough: New Yorkers deserve lower rent, better tenant protections, and more affordable energy bills! Join us for a teach-in on Thursday, February 8 from 6 - 7:30 pm at the WE ACT Office at 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, 2nd Floor to learn about our new campaign, Our Homes Under Our Control, to lower rent and utility bills for everyday New Yorkers and how you can get involved!
Fight for Beauty Justice and Celebrate Black History and Dominican Heritage with Us
Join us for our February Membership Meeting on Saturday, February 10 at 10 am at 454 West 155th Street, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge. In addition to celebrating Black History Month and Dominican Heritage Month, we will be talking about New York State's Beauty Justice bill, and what you can do to help get it passed. Personal care products – everything from cosmetics to soaps and shampoos to hair straighteners – are largely unregulated, with far too many containing toxic ingredients that have been linked to cancer, infertility, miscarriage, poor infant and maternal health outcomes, obesity, asthma, and many other serious health concerns. And a combination of racist beauty standards and aggressive target marketing have led young women and femme-identifying people of color to higher rates of use for these harmful products - on top of already being exposed to disproportionate amounts of toxic chemicals. That is why we are currently advocating for the passage of the Beauty Justice bill (formerly known as the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act), which will ban the most dangerous toxic chemicals from the majority of these products.
Dr. Micaela Martinez will give a lecture at the annual Darwin Festival, a weeklong event that celebrates the work of Charles Darwin with sessions from leading researchers in the field of biology hosted by Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts. Dr. Martinez will give an in-person talk on February 15 titled “From Air to Makeup: Addressing Environmental Justice in the U.S.” about how structural racism impacts environmental exposures and health in the U.S.
WE ACT’S Green Institute:Engineering News-Record profiled Charles Callaway and Solar Uptown Now Services, the workers cooperative he helped start with certified solar installers trained in our Green Institute workforce development program.
COP28: The Commission for Environmental Cooperation just posted an interview with Dr. Micaela Martinez during COP28, in which she talks about the work we do, why we were at COP28, and how it can advance climate justice.
Inflation Reduction Act Funding:Waste360 reported on the Environmental Protection Agency’s first Community, Equity & Resiliency roadshow event, part of its effort to help communities across the nation navigate Inflation Reduction Act investments and other new funding opportunities. As the host of the EPA’s Region 2 (New York & New Jersey) Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC), we participated in the January 18 event in Albany.
Get Involved: Apply to Become a Community Board Member
Joining your local Community Board is a great way to effect change in your neighborhood. Applications are now open, with a February 23 deadline.
Did somebody say rat contraceptives? In Part 2 of Uptown Chats January episodes on rats, Lonnie and Jaron sit down with City Council Member Shaun Abreu to explore the many ways the City and New Yorkers are waging war on these furry nuisances. Tune in on Monday for the next episode, and listen to Rats! Part 1 this weekend if you haven’t already.
