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Big Policy Win: New York State Bans PFAS in Food Packaging

As part of the Just Green Partnership, we were able to land another key policy win in 2020. Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo signed a bill prohibiting the use of PFAS chemicals in food packaging. The use of these long-lasting toxic chemicals in food packaging was of particular concern to our community, as we are inundated with fast food businesses that regularly use this sort of packaging. Prohibiting the use of PFAS in this packaging is one less way we are exposed to these toxic chemicals. Click here ([link removed]) to learn more about the risks of PFAS and why this bill is so important to our community.

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Year-End Membership Meeting:
2020 Wrap-Up & 2021 Preview

Saturday, December 12
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET
via Zoom

Join us on Saturday, December 12 at 10 AM ET for our final Membership Meeting of the year. As is our tradition for the year-end meeting, we will look back on what we accomplished in 2020. And we will look ahead to what we have planned for 2021, including an overview of our key policy initiatives and programs as well as how you can get more involved in our work. RSVP Here ([link removed])

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Uptown Chats:
Creating a Green Workforce - Community Based Solutions for a Diverse Green Jobs Sector

Wednesday, December 9
4:00-5:00 PM ET
via Zoom

Join us for the final Uptown Chat of the year! We’ve partnered with the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum on the release of "Creating a Green Workforce: Community Based Solutions for a Diverse Green Jobs Sector." This report considers how a Just Transition framework can shape conversation and next steps for addressing climate change. Speakers include Michael Gerrard, Director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School; Charles Callaway, Senior Community Organizer at WE ACT; and Kerene N. Tayloe, Esq., Director of Federal Legislative Affairs at WE ACT. RSVP Here ([link removed])

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Solar Uptown Now Services on the Job!


Speaking of green jobs, a crew from Solar Uptown Now Services (SUNS), our solar workers co-operative, are up in Croton, NY wiring 10,000 solar panels as part of Croton Energy’s 4-megawatt solar farm. This 9-week job is the second project for the SUNS team, who were trained in solar installation as part of our Worker Training program. Learn more about SUNS here ([link removed]) .

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Peggy Shepard Elected to Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health's Board of Advisors

We are proud to report that Peggy Shepard has been elected to the Board of Advisors at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health. The Board of Advisors is a leadership body that provides knowledge and experience from the business, government, media, and nonprofit sectors to help expand the School’s reach. Advisors provide counsel and support to the Dean, serve as ambassadors among friends, associates, and colleagues, and assist in the acquisition of essential resources for advancing teaching, research, and service. Click here ([link removed]) to learn more and see who else is on the board.

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Kerene Tayloe Receives Catalyst Award

Kerene Tayloe is among the recipients of the 2020 Rachel’s Network Catalyst Awards. The mission of Rachel’s Network is to promote women as impassioned leaders and agents of change dedicated to the stewardship of the earth, and the Catalyst Award recognizes women environmental leaders of color for their commitment to a healthy planet. Learn more about the 2020 awardees here ([link removed]) .

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Taylor Morton will speak about the role of education in the fight for climate justice as part of the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program Virtual Winter Speaker Series on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 3 PM ET. RSVP Here ([link removed])

Peggy Shepard will speak on a Climate Crisis Policy Digest panel on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 12 PM ET. They will be discussing the role of policy coalitions in achieving climate justice. RSVP Here ([link removed])

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It's Not Too Late for Giving Tuesday

We know you’re busy. And maybe you had a lot on your plate this past Tuesday. But that’s OK, because you can still give to our end of year appeal. We’re asking for your support to help us mobilize NYCHA residents for the 2021 NYC Mayoral & City Council elections. We want to elevate and amplify their voices to ensure that everyone gets to live in a healthy, sustainable, and affordable home. Donate Here ([link removed])

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Join Our Team: We're Hiring!

WE ACT is hiring a Director of Programs, a Director of Policy, an Environmental Health Manager, a Voter Engagement Community Organizer, and a Development Writer. These are all great opportunities to make a difference in the world, working for an organization that has been at the vanguard of the environmental justice movement for more than 30 years. Learn More & Apply Here ([link removed])

COVID-19 Test & Trace Jobs: NYC is Hiring!
New York City has announced a new round of hiring for its COVID-19 Test & Trace program, and we’ve been working with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest to ensure that those hires come from communities hardest hit by the pandemic. You can apply through the Bachrach Group ([link removed]) and for positions at community organizations with “resource navigator” contracts ([link removed]) .

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