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Peggy Shepard Addressed President Biden's Leaders Summit on Climate

In case you missed it, Peggy Shepard spoke at President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate ([link removed]) , a two-day gathering of leaders from around the world to discuss how we can best work together to address the climate crisis. Speaking before a global audience, Peggy was introduced by Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. Watch ([link removed])

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Earth Day NYC:
An Electric Bus Full of Good News!

Our staff participated in 20 events this week, not to mention several media interviews and our tremendously successful Earth Day 5K (which you can still participate in ([link removed]) !). It’s this sort of energy, passion, and commitment that has made WE ACT such a success for the past 33 years.

But the City stepped up as well, with Mayor Bill de Blasio making several welcome announcements on Earth Day:

Commitment to Electric School Buses
One week after Sonal Jessel co-authored an Op-Ed with the Amalgamated Transit Union's International President John A. Costa making the case for replacing dirty diesel school buses with electric school buses, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the City’s commitment ([link removed]) to driving in that direction. Read the Op-Ed ([link removed])

Two New Lead Laws
Thanks to our lead coalition, along with the leadership of New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member Margaret S. Chin, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed two more lead bills into law. Read Our Release ([link removed])

Renewable Energy from Geothermal Heat Pumps
The Mayor also announced that the City will explore renewable geothermal heat pumps ([link removed]) . We’d welcome the opportunity to partner with the City on a geothermal district demonstration project here in Northern Manhattan!

NYC State of Climate Knowledge 2021 Report
And the Mayor released the first annual NYC State of Climate Knowledge 2021 Report ([link removed]) , identifying – with the help of the NYC Environmental Justice Advisory Board, chaired by Peggy Shepard – key areas of study that will make it easier for the City to track, understand, and develop policies that create more sustainable communities for all New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable.

City Council Bans Toxic Pesticides
The New York City Council passed legislation ([link removed]) banning the use of non-biological pesticides, such as glyphosates, on playgrounds, parks, and other property owned or leased by the City. Sonal Jessel testified before the City Council back in February on this issue.

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Aclima's Our EarthShot:
Cooperative Climate Innovation Panel

In case you missed it, Peggy Shepard participated in Aclima’s ([link removed]) Earth Day panel, Our Earthshot: Cooperative Climate Innovation, discussing how data and technology can help support climate and environmental justice. Watch ([link removed])

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EarthShare Climate Justice Webinars

In the United States, a zip code can predict both lifespans and the impacts of climate change on communities. Sonal Jessel will discuss how to build resilience in these underserved communities during two climate justice webinars for EarthShare. One will be held on April 27 and the other on April 29. RSVP ([link removed])

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Power After the Pandemic:
Organizing Futures

At 12:00 PM EDT on April 29, Bailey will be speaking at Power After the Pandemic: Organizing Futures, part of the Association for Neighborhood Housing & Development and Urban Design Forum’s series that explores how COVID-19 has impacted organizing. RSVP ([link removed])

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Uptown Chats:
NYS DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos

Join us at 6:00 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 5 for our Uptown Chats with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. Seggos was instrumental in the passage of the state's best-in-nation law to address climate change, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and now serves as the co-chair of its implementing body, the Climate Action Council. RSVP ([link removed])

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May Membership Meeting:
Candidates Forum for
New York City Council
Districts 8 & 9

Join us for our May Membership Meeting at 10:00 AM EDT on Saturday, May 8. We’re hosting a Candidates Forum for City Council in Districts 8 & 9. This is your chance to get to know the candidates and hear what they have to say about issues impacting our community. RSVP ([link removed])

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Help Us Beat the Heat:
NYC Cooling Center Survey

Summer is coming, and so is the heat. That’s why we need your help.

If you are 45 and older and are either a person of color, live in NYCHA, have a respiratory illness, or work outdoors, then we encourage you to take our quick heat survey. And if you know anyone who fits that criteria, we would love to have them fill it out as well. Take the Survey ([link removed])

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Sign Up for Community Solar in Harlem

WE ACT and its partners invite you to participate in Community Power ([link removed]) , a community solar project built by and for low-income New Yorkers - including many trained through our Worker Training program ([link removed]) . If you are a Con Edison customer that lives in affordable housing, you can save more $120 a year on your electricity costs by signing up to use solar energy generated here in Harlem and Brooklyn. You won't have to install panels on your roof, and the power will flow just like it currently does - rain or shine, day or night. Learn More & Sign Up ([link removed])

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What Do You Have to Say About EJ?

If you live in New York City, particularly in an environmental justice community, we urge you to participate in the NYC Environmental Justice Study. There's only one week left before the deadline! 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 ([link removed]) , sending an email to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , or leaving a voicemail at 212-788-4144 before April 30, 2021.

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NYCHA's New Lead Paint Program

Do you live in NYCHA? Join one of the virtual Resident Town Halls to learn about TEMPO, NYCHA’s new program to address lead paint in households where children under 6 years of age live or visit for more than 10 hours a week. Register for the 2 PM Town Hall on April 28 ([link removed]) or the 6 PM Town Hall on April 29 ([link removed]) . Both will be held online, via Zoom. If you have questions or need assistance registering, please contact: [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .

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Vaccine Updates

New Yorkers ages 16 years and older can now get their COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment at select sites throughout the city by visiting [link removed].

You can also try calling the New York-Presbyterian & Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation's English/Spanish vaccine scheduling hotline, Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4:45 PM, at 646-838-0319.

And homebound vaccinations have resumed with limited capacity using the Moderna vaccine. Visit nyc.gov/homebound or call 877-829-4692 for information.

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Support WE ACT with Amazon Smiles

If you have to shop on Amazon, we encourage you to shop via Amazon Smiles ([link removed]) and select West Harlem Environmental Action (our legal name) as the organization you would like to support. You will find the same products at the same prices, except when you shop through Amazon Smiles ([link removed]) they will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to WE ACT!

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