Plus Upcoming Events, New Asks for Clean Air, & More!

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]

[link removed]

Become a Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellow

Applications for the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership are now open! This will be our third year of the program, which honors the legacy of the late Cecil Corbin-Mark, our former Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives who was a well-known and highly respected leader in the movement and served as an informal mentor to aspiring environmental justice advocates across the country. The Fellowship is a unique opportunity for young people to continue to follow in Cecil’s footsteps by preparing them to become the next generation of environmental justice leaders. The year-long paid fellowship will begin in June but applications are due on March 31. This year we will be inviting applicants to apply for a digital marketing fellowship and a civic engagement and community organizing fellowship. Learn more and apply here ([link removed]) . And stay tuned for an exciting celebration of Cecil Corbin-Mark around Earth Day!

Apply Here ([link removed])

[link removed]

Become a WE ACT Membership Leader

Are you a WE ACT Member looking to get more involved or take a leadership role at WE ACT? Apply to join our Membership Planning Committee, which serves a leadership role in our Membership ([link removed]) . Consisting of eight members and one vision member, the committee functions as a conduit between our members and staff. We are now accepting applications for the 2024-2026 term. You have to be current on your membership dues, regularly attend Membership Meetings (like the one tomorrow), and be actively engaged with our organization. Check out some testimonials ([link removed]) from current members on what you can expect and then fill out an application ([link removed]) . And if you have questions, please contact Tyisha Smalls at [email protected].

Apply Here ([link removed])
[link removed]

REMINDER: Join Us for a Discussion of Housing Justice and Celebrate Women’s History Month on Saturday!

We will be discussing several important housing justice legislation at our March Membership Meeting at 10 am this Saturday, March 9 at the New Heights Academy Charter School, located at 1818 Amsterdam Avenue (look for the signs between 150th and 151st Streets). We will be joined by the New York City Department of City Planning who will make a presentation on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity ([link removed]) . Finally, we will be celebrating Women’s History Month with Zenaida Mendez (above, left), Director of the Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center – among the many hats she wears, including that of a former WE ACT Board Member.
RSVP ([link removed])

[link removed]

Advocate, Celebrate, and Shop for Nontoxic Beauty Products

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a series of Beauty Justice Fairs throughout the state in March to help advocate for the Beauty Justice Act (S.4265 ([link removed]) /A.6969 ([link removed]) )! We are working hard to pass this bill which will ban the most dangerous toxic chemicals from cosmetics and other personal care products.

At these festive fairs, you'll learn about the toxic chemicals found in everyday products that we use and how you can take direct action to get these harmful toxic chemicals out of our stuff. You'll also have a chance to win clean beauty products and free clean-beauty makeovers! In addition to great food and drinks, you can peruse the nontoxic products of local small businesses, and you will get a chance to meet and speak with your New York State representatives fighting for this bill.
* Binghamton Beauty Justice Fair
Monday, March 18, 1 - 4 pm
Binghamton University: 4400 Vestal Pkwy East, Binghamton
RSVP ([link removed]) & download the flyer ([link removed]) to share with friends!
* New York City Beauty Justice Fair
Tuesday, March 19, 5 - 8 pm
NAC Ballroom, North Academic Center ([link removed]) building on the City College of New York’s Harlem campus: 160 Convent Avenue
RSVP ([link removed]) & download the flyer ([link removed]) to share with friends!
* Buffalo Beauty Justice Fair
Thursday, March 21, 12 - 3 pm
Buffalo History Museum: 1 Museum Court, Buffalo
RSVP ([link removed]) & download the flyer ([link removed]) to share with friends!

[link removed]

Learn More About WE ACT at Our Webinar

We have enjoyed an outpouring of support over the past few months, so we’re hosting a webinar to welcome new donors – along with anyone else interested in learning more about WE ACT! We’ll be providing an overview of our organization, the impacts we have had, and some of the major initiatives we’re currently undertaking. Our speakers will include Co-Founder & Executive Director Peggy Shepard ([link removed]) , Director of Civic Engagement & Organizing Pamela Stewart-Martinez ([link removed]) , and Director of Environmental Health Dr. Micaela Martinez ([link removed]) . Join us via Zoom on Wednesday, March 13 at 6 pm to learn more about WE ACT and the work we do.

RSVP ([link removed])
[link removed]

Join Us for Our Advocacy Days in Albany!

The testimony of average New Yorkers is crucial for gaining support for environmental justice bills from lawmakers. You can help us advocate to pass laws and change lives by joining us for one (or all!) of the following days. Never gone on an advocacy day with us before? Check out this video ([link removed]) to see what to expect!
* March 13 - NY HEAT Act: ([link removed]) Help us advocate for the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition (NY HEAT) Act to lower utility bills and reduce the power of the fossil fuel industry.
* March 19 - Housing Justice for All: ([link removed]) Help us advocate for the Housing Justice for All platform which includes several bills to increase tenant rights and stop rent increases and evictions.
* March 27 - Climate Justice Education ([link removed]) : Join the Climate Resilience Education Task Force ([link removed]) to advocate for climate justice education ([link removed]) legislation to establish a course of instruction and learning expectations on climate education in all of the New York State’s public elementary and secondary schools.
* April 16 - Earth Day: ([link removed]) Celebrate Earth Day by advocating for a variety of environmental justice legislation including the Enhanced Public Participation Plan, the Beauty Justice Bill, and the Lead Paint Right to Know Act.
* May 21 - Childhood Lead Poisoning: ([link removed]) Help us advocate for the prevention of childhood lead poisoning.

Food and transportation between New York City and Albany are always provided along with quick training to help you prepare to advocate!
[link removed]

Join Us at the CB9 Public Health Forum

WE ACT will be on-hand at Community Board 9 ([link removed]) ’s Public Health Forum on Saturday, March 16 from 11 am - 3 pm at the Forum at Columbia University, which is located at 601 West 125th Street (at the corner of 125th & Broadway). Come by and learn how to improve the environmental health of our community!

[link removed]

Lonnie Portis on Equitable and Clean Transportation Panel

Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City, and both a climate and a public health issue. As New York City undertakes the clean energy transition, what infrastructure is needed to support the transition to clean transportation? Join the NY League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Con Edison, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice for Electrifying New York: Expanding Equity and Clean Transportation, a panel discussion on Wednesday, March 18 from 5 - 6:30 pm at Columbia University’s Faculty House (64 Morningside Drive, between 116th & 118th Streets). The event is free to the public and light food and drink will be provided.

RSVP ([link removed])

[link removed]

Listen to Our 5 Asks for Clean Air

Check out our new video from Clean Air for the Long Haul (CAFLH), a coalition we belong to that’s leading the charge on federal rulemaking campaigns to equitably reduce air pollution from power plants, cars, and trucks. In the wake of President Biden’s State of the Union last night, and as his administration continues to support the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to advance environmental justice, the CAFLH cohort has five major asks for clean air: tighter rules on heavy-duty truck emissions, new limits on emission from cars and light trucks, no false solutions and a full-environmental justice analysis for power plant emissions, stronger limits on ozone emissions, and strict mercury standards to reduce power plant pollution. Watch the video ([link removed]) , uplift our posts on Twitter/X ([link removed]) and Instagram ([link removed]) , and share it on
whatever social media platforms you use.

Studying Air Pollution and Vehicular Traffic in Our Community

Graduate students from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health have been working with Jaron Burke to study vehicular air pollution in Northern Manhattan ahead of the anticipated rollout of congestion pricing. They will be issuing a report in the coming weeks, which we will be sure to share with you!
[link removed]

Get Ready for Our Earth Day 5K Fun Run!

Come celebrate Earth Day, help raise funds for WE ACT, and run or walk for a healthier, greener community at our annual Earth Day 5K fundraiser. We will be holding the fun run at Randall’s Island on Sunday, April 28. You can run or walk, and enter as an individual or as a team. Sign up today ([link removed]) and get a free WE ACT membership! And If you can’t join us, please consider making a donation ([link removed]) to support our work.
Register Here ([link removed])

[link removed]
* Beauty Justice Fair: Harlem World ([link removed]) magazine reported on our upcoming Beauty Justice Fair at City College on Tuesday, March 19. Learn more about the event and RSVP! ([link removed])
* EPA Rules: The Associated Press story ([link removed]) about our response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to delay its emissions rules for existing fossil fuel plants continues to generate coverage, including in wide-reaching outlets such as ABC News ([link removed]) and Yahoo News ([link removed]) .

[link removed]

On Wednesday, Eric Walker spoke about thermal energy networks at the New York Thermal Energy Networks Summit: Scale up! Decarbonizing NY’s Neighborhoods summit in Albany, which was presented by the Building Decarbonization Coalition, New York State Pipe Trades Association, and City & State New York. Shoutout to Board Chair Jeff Jones for hooking us up with this photo!

We joined the launch of the People's Budget at Tweed Courthouse on Wednesday. Mayor Adams has now cut the budget six times to solve a nonexistent budget "crisis" that he concocted himself while shamelessly blaming immigrants. The People's Budget is calling for a city budget that funds a range of programs (including parks funding, composting, and building decarbonization) that New Yorkers need and are being cut by the Mayor. Stay tuned for some further action on this!

Pamela Stewart-Martinez and Tyisha Smalls attended New York City Council Member Dr. Yusef Salaam's swearing-in ceremony on February 28, where they connected with Council Member Dr. Yusef Salaam (pictured on the left with Pamela Stewart-Martinez), as well as New York State Senator Cordell Cleare, New York State Senator Robert Jackson, and District Attorney of New York County Alvin Bragg.

Peggy Shepard ran into New York City Council Member (and former Manhattan Borough President) Gale Brewer at Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine’s 2024 State of the Borough address ([link removed]) .

We had a great turnout on Thursday for our second Our Homes Under Our Control ([link removed]) campaign teach-in in Inwood! We're combining the critical fights for climate justice and housing justice into a single campaign to push for key statewide legislation to increase tenant rights, lower energy bills, and reduce the power of the fossil fuel industry.

[link removed]

Don’t Miss Uptown Chats!

If you have yet to listen to the latest episode of our Uptown Chats podcast, tune in to hear Peggy Shepard talk about New York City's new and unprecedented report on environmental justice. And on Monday, Jaron Burke and Lonnie Portis will be dropping a new episode, featuring a discussion with Annie Carforo on WE ACT’s Our Homes Under Our Control ([link removed]) campaign as well as uplifting Women’s History Month.

Listen Here ([link removed])
[link removed]

Participate in Columbia’s Indoor Air Temperature Study

Extreme heat is the deadliest impact of climate change, and it disproportionately harms people of color. To better understand how extreme heat – and extreme cold – are impacting our indoor environments, researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have launched the HEATE (Heat Exposure And Temperature Equity) Project, and are currently looking for residents of apartment buildings to participate in this important study. Participants will have two small temperature sensors installed in their home to record indoor air temperatures from this winter season until the end of summer 2024. Each household will be compensated $50 for their participation, and you must be 18 or older to take part. Follow this link ([link removed]) to participate, or reach out to Columbia’s Robbie M. Parks at [email protected] with questions.
I Want to Participate! ([link removed])

[link removed]

Take This Survey on Cooling Centers & Extreme Heat in Northern Manhattan

Fill out this survey ([link removed]) on cooling centers and extreme heat! The summer of 2023 was the hottest one on record, and it's important that we do everything we can to protect ourselves and others. An undergraduate senior thesis project at Barnard College is collecting responses to better understand how cooling centers can increase access to air conditioning and help protect heat-vulnerable communities, as well as what residents want and need from policymakers. Overall, this project aims to build on already existing research and work done to create actionable recommendations to shape policy and planning initiatives to improve cooling centers and other heat-related projects.

Take the Survey ([link removed])
[link removed]
[link removed]

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2020, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])