Read: Queerness and Climate Justice Go Hand in Hand
Check out our latest blog post in honor of Pride 2024. Briana Carbajal, Tali Natter, and Ashley Sullivan explore the challenges that queer people face with environmental injustice and the climate crisis, and how queer joy is leading the fight for liberation and the planet. We'd also like to wish a special Happy Pride to all of our members!
Mark your calendar for our annual Membership BBQ on Saturday, July 20 from 11 am - 3:30 pm. It will be held at The Sojourner Truth School (PS-MS 149) at 41 West 117th Street (between Lenox & Fifth Avenues). We’ve got some great activities planned for all ages, along with great food and friends.
Climate Change, Action, & Justice Voter's Education Forum
Peggy Shepard will participate in a panel discussion with Senator Cordell Cleare, NYLCV's Joshua Klainberg, and MediRootz Medical Group's Dr. Maurice Hinson as part of the Climate Change, Action, & Justice Voter's Education Forum on Sunday, June 30 from 12:30 - 2:30 pm at the Convent Avenue Baptist Church, located at 420 West 145th Street.
Take Action: Don't Let Them Water Down One of NYC's Most Important Climate Laws!
Local Law 97 is the most aggressive and ambitious city climate law in the country that we helped pass in 2019. New York City’s buildings are responsible for 70 percent of climate pollution in the city, and this law is set to begin slashing building emissions drastically starting this year. However, a new bill, Intro 772, which could severely weaken Local Law 97, has been introduced in City Council and is gaining traction. We cannot let this bill pass and weaken our efforts for cleaner and healthier buildings throughout the city. Send an email to New York City Council members and make a phone call to your Council member telling them to defend Local Law 97!
The Heat is On: Strategies and Solutions for Helping Achieve Climate Justice
Peggy Shepard will join Solar One's Chief External Affairs Officer Sara Radelet and Career Technical Education Program Manager Michaela Ritz for a discussion of climate justice, the importance of a just transition to solar and other renewable energy sources, and how investors can help advance that. Moderated by Domini's Director of Engagement Mary Beth Gallagher, this will be an in-person event on Thursday, July 11 from 6 - 7:30 pm at 180 Maiden Lane (between Front Street and South Street in the Financial District). It is hosted by Domini Impact Investments, a women-led investment firm that is committed to harnessing the power of finance to help create a better world.
Extreme Heat: One of our members, Mone Choy, spoke with Grist about her experience coping with this recent heatwave. Her story was so powerful that it became the focus of the entire article, and will serve as a powerful advocacy tool as we continue to speak with decision-makers about addressing extreme heat and energy affordability. Many thanks to Mone!
Juneteenth Rally:The Columbia Spectator covered our Juneteenth rally for housing justice, which was focused on supporting Senator Cleare’s bill to halt Columbia's unchecked expansion into Harlem and calling for more affordable housing and an end to gentrification.
Peggy Shepard was part of an all-star climate justice panel that appeared live on C-SPAN as part of a Climate Justice Symposium hosted by Tavis Smiley. It was a powerful discussion about not only environmental justice but also racial justice. Check out the panel replay at the 39-minute mark and this short clip of Peggy talking about what the Biden administration has done to advance environmental justice.
Peggy Shepard spoke at the Juneteenth Housing Justice for Harlem rally hosted by New York State Senator Cordell Cleare and other community leaders. The rally was calling for affordable housing and to defend Harlem from gentrification and expansion by Columbia University. Thanks to all our members who stood with us!
Peggy Shepard attended a celebration of the work of Regina Santella and Frederica Perera, Professors of Environmental Health Sciences at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health (MSPH). Pictured L-R: Regina Santella; Linda Fried, MD, MPH, Dean of the MSPH; Peggy Shepard; Joseph Graziano, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Pharmacology at the MSPH; and Frederica Perera.
Marileidy Pimentel Paniagua gave a panel presentation at the Careers in Climate event at University Heights High School in the South Bronx hosted by Greater Bronx Links Inc. and the United Nations Association Bronx Chapter of the USA. The presentation was an overview of WE ACT's work and impact to encourage students to explore careers related to climate justice and community organizing.
During last week's record heat wave, we gave our East Harlem Heat Tour to introduce some of our newer staff members to the environmental injustices of East Harlem. During the tour, we clocked a sidewalk temperature of 126 degrees on East 125th Street showing why East Harlem is one of the most heat vulnerable neighborhoods in the city due to poor tree cover, congestion, and other factors. Learn more about our work to combat heat inequity here!
Listen: US Energy Policy Wrong Direction Mini-Series - Hydrogen
While the Biden administration has taken steps to advance an equitable transition to renewable energy, there are elements of the U.S. energy policy that are clearly headed in the Wrong Direction. Join Jaron and Lonnie for the second episode of the Wrong Direction mini-series to learn from WE ACT’s Federal Research Manager Manuel Salgado and Cecil Corbin-Mark Environmental Justice Research Fellow Tali Natter about the various forms of hydrogen power and why the U.S. Department of Energy’s approach to this energy source is heading in the Wrong Direction.
