March Membership Meeting:
Manhattan Borough President
Candidates Forum
Saturday, March 13
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Join us for our March Membership Meeting at 10:00 AM ET tomorrow, Saturday, March 13 and get to know the candidates running for Manhattan Borough President. We’ve invited all of them to tell us why they are the best candidate and how they will tackle environmental racism in our community. You can read their bios here. And we’ll also announce the winners of our Membership Planning Committee election. RSVP Here
WE ACT Welcomes Michael Regan as EPA Administrator
As part of the Confirm Climate campaign, our Federal Policy Office team supported the nomination of Michael Regan to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including reaching out to Senate leaders to make the case for his candidacy. And when Regan was confirmed as the new EPA Administrator on Wednesday evening, our well-connected Federal Policy Office broke the news before even CNN.
Read our press release congratulating EPA Administrator Regan on the appointment, which includes 10 actions he can take to advance environmental justice. You can also read Peggy Shepard’s comments about his appointment in the Washington Post. And watch Michelle Mabson, Chief Advocacy Officer at Black Millennials 4 Flint (Fun Fact: she's also Peggy’s niece!), talk about the Regan’s appointment as the Confirm Climate campaign projected messages of support on the EPA headquarters building.
Peggy Shepard was profiled in the Columbia Spectator and featured among the 15 Women Fighting for Environmental Justice in Temboo’s blog as part of Women’s History Month celebrations.
Kerene Tayloe appeared on Hip Hop Caucus’ Think100 Coolest Show podcast where she gave a wide-ranging interview that included the importance of building power in the community and creating legislation that will outlast administrations. She also appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, discussing the Biden administration’s focus on environmental justice and how advocates can help ensure it succeeds.
Taylor Morton talked about environmental justice, climate justice, and bears (oh my!) in an interview on the Dap Project podcast.
Yuwa Vosper was quoted in Utility Dive’s coverage of the environmental justice package passed by the New York State Senate last week, which included our energy efficiency bill.
Harlem Patch and Harlem World covered our efforts, as part of the Coalition for the East Harlem Waterfront, to ensure that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio includes the $284 million he committed to repair and restore East Harlem’s East River Esplanade in the City’s fiscal year 2021-22 capital budget.
SUNS Plants a 4-MW Solar Farm
Our solar workers cooperative, SUNS, wrapped up their latest job up in Westchester County. They were subcontracted by Croton Energy Group Inc. to install 10,000 solar panels in a 9-acre field. The 4-MW installation took 17 of the SUNS team just under three months to complete, despite the distance, winter weather, and pandemic. Next up for SUNS? It will be closer to home, and equally impressive. Stay tuned!
Join Our Earth Day 5K Fundraiser: Take Advantage of Early Bird Pricing!
Earth Day is around the corner, and we invite you to enjoy and defend the environment through our annual Earth Day 5K fundraiser. It will be a virtual race again, so you will have an opportunity to safely walk or run the 5K from April 17-25. Early Bird pricing ends this Sunday, so act now!
And if you don’t feel like walking or running, you can also become a sponsor (links to a PDF). Get all the details and register here: Learn More.
Come Help Us Reimagine
NYC's Cooling Centers
Tuesday, March 16
5:30 - 7:30 PM ET
Tuesday, March 23
5:30 - 7:30 PM ET
Want to help people stay cool this summer? We are putting together a series of workshops for heat-vulnerable residents of Northern Manhattan to better understand your needs and interests. If you are 45 and older and are a person of color, live in NYCHA, have a respiratory illness, or work outdoors, then we would love to have you join us. Register Here
WE ACT is Hiring!
We’re growing and hiring in both our Harlem headquarters and our Federal Policy Office in Washington, DC. We’re looking for a Communications Manager (DC), Environmental Health Manager (NY), Environmental Health Coordinator (NY), and a Climate Justice Organizer (NY). Check out these opportunities and forward them to anyone qualified!
Also, our friends at Solar One are looking for Program Manager to work on their affordable housing solar program. Check it out!
Do You Have Anything to Say About Environmental Justice?
If you live in New York City, particularly in an environmental justice community, we urge you to participate in the NYC Environmental Justice Study. Peggy Shepard chairs the NYC Environmental Justice Advisory Board, which is working with the Mayor’s Office to develop a report that will lead to a citywide Environmental Justice Plan. But we need your help, your input on environmental justice issues in the city. Please participate by taking this online survey, sending an email to [email protected], or leaving a voicemail at 212-788-4144 before April 30, 2021.
Northern Manhattan Community COVID-19 Memorial Service
At 4:00 PM ET on Sunday, March 14, New York City Council Member Mark Levine will be joined by Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Rev. Al Taylor, & Assembly Member Carmen de la Rosa for a virtual community gathering to mark the somber anniversary of the city’s first COVID-19 death. You can register here as well as sign up here to offer your own one-minute tribute to those we have lost.
New York City announced that COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to those 60 years and older. And, of course, they are FREE. Visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder to make your appointment!
In-Home Vaccinations
If you are a fully homebound New York resident who would like a COVID-19 vaccination, you can apply here or call 877-VAX-4NYC.
Cash Support for COVID-19 Bereaved Families
Families that have problems paying for food, rent, and other bills due to the loss of a breadwinner or caretaker to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial support through Montefiore’s Family Resiliency Fund. Learn More
COVID-19 Train-the-Trainer
Would you like to become a COVID-19 vaccination information resource for your community? Join the NYC Health Department for one of its weekly 60-minute sessions about the COVID-19 vaccine. These sessions will include a presentation and Q&A period to direct participants to resources/trusted reference sites for vaccine information and respond to questions about when, where, and how to get vaccinated. Register Here
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