Membership Meeting Saturday: Discussing Asthma and the Election

Join us for our June Membership Meeting this Saturday, June 8 from 10 am - 1 pm. This will be an in-person meeting at P.S./I.S. 210 – Twenty-first Century Academy for Community Leadership (501 West 152nd Street, northwest corner of 152nd Street & Amsterdam Avenue). We will be discussing our new Asthma Policy Agenda as well as the June 25 Primary Election (early voting begins June 15, which is also the last day to register: learn more here).

Election: Voting Starts Soon for the New York State Primary

Get ready to vote in the New York State Primary Election! This very important election will determine who appears on the ballot at the city, state, and federal levels for the general election in November. Early voting begins on Saturday, June 15, which is also the last day you can register to vote. Early voting runs from June 15 through June 23, and Election Day is Tuesday, June 25. You can register to vote, find out if you are registered to vote, locate where you can vote, and everything else you need to know by visiting our Voter Information page.

June Hotbox: Get Prepared for Summer Extreme Heat Ramping Up

As we enter June, May marks the 12th month of the hottest global temperatures on record. Scientists at NOAA project more neutral climatic conditions before the La Niña phase starts either late this month or July. For our region, this will likely reflect in persistent hot and humid weather with a heightened risk of severe storms. If anything has become apparent in recent years, it's that it is more urgent than ever to prepare for a range of climate impacts to coincide simultaneously. Here are a few updates to inform your summer preparedness and civic engagement planning including the climate projections for our region, our policy recommendations to adapt, resources to identify public cooling assets, and how NYC is working toward climate-smart fiscal planning:
 

1. NYPCC4 Report: The most recent installment of the New York City Panel on Climate Change is here! This report builds on essential science-backed guidance for policymakers, stakeholders, and residents to equitably adapt to and mitigate climate impacts.

2. We just released our Extreme Heat Policy Agenda! The 2024 Extreme Heat Agenda outlines how we believe the city and state can take action to address extreme heat and protect communities of color who are disproportionately impacted by heat. Check out our recommended strategies that center nature, health, and equity in our built environment and emergency protocols that we need to start taking immediately.

3. Cooling Options: The Mayor’s Office held a press conference last week announcing updates to the City’s response to extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves, flooding, and air quality emergencies. Notably, you can now access a map of your nearest cooling center and other public facilities with air conditioning all year around. This does NOT mean it will be open for every heat advisory because the Adams Administration has yet to allocate funding for the program. You are encouraged to call locations before visiting. You can read or watch the full press release to get all of the details.

Training: Learn How to Apply to Federal Grants for Environmental Justice

Applying for federal grants can be overwhelming but with millions of dollars now allocated for environmental justice, federal grants are opportunities that are too good to pass up. Fortunately, our EPA Region TCTAC partners are hosting two upcoming in-depth, multi-day trainings to help you navigate (and secure) lucrative federal grants! 

• EAGLE TCTAC’s Grantsmanship: How to Apply for Federal Grants for Environmental or Energy Projects in New York
  June 13 and 14: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm: Learn More and Register
• EAGLE TCTAC’s Grantsmanship: How to Apply for Federal Grants for Environmental or Energy Projects in New Jersey
  June 17 and 18: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm: Learn More and Register

New WE ACT Working Group: Learn About and Fight Against Toxins in Our Homes

Introducing a new WE ACT Working Group! We are restructuring and transforming our Healthy Homes Working Group into the new Healthy Living Working Group. This new working group will meet monthly to learn about and fight against lead poisoning, the presence of toxic chemicals in personal care products, and pollution in our homes and neighborhoods. Join the first group meeting on Thursday, June 20 from 6 - 7 pm. 

Get Ready: Help Your Uptown Community Prepare for Climate Change

Do you work with an organization in Northern Manhattan? WE ACT is bringing back our award-winning Climate Ready Uptown Plan Workshops, and we would love to host one for your members! We’ll be doing workshops all summer long at member-based community organizations based Uptown. At these workshops, we will distribute the Climate Ready Uptown Plan - an interactive pamphlet that helps Northern Manhattan community members understand their individual risk to climate-related disasters – specifically extreme heat and flooding. And we’ll educate participants on the basics of extreme weather and disaster preparedness.

If you or your organization is interested, please fill out the form and we'll be in touch with details!

Apply Today: Cooling Assistance Helps Eligible Households Buy and Install an Air Conditioner or Fan 

Click here to see if you are eligible for financial support to cover the cost and installation of an air conditioner or fan in your home. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so act today because funding for this program has run out in July the last two years!

LISTEN: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders in Environmental Justice

In celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Lonnie and Jaron spoke with AJ Yuan, our Federal Policy Legislative Coordinator, about the role of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders in the environmental justice movement in the latest edition of our podcast, Uptown Chats.