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WE ACT's Climate Leadership
From the White House to COP26 in Scotland

Peggy Shepard (pictured above, far right) and other members of the Climate Action Campaign were at the White House earlier this week to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and other administration officials to ensure that environmental justice is front and center in the Biden administration's climate policy. Peggy is heading to Scotland next week for COP26, the United Nations' Climate Change Conference, to ensure that environmental justice is front and center in those discussions as well.

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Early Voting in New York

Early voting is underway in New York, and runs through Sunday, October 31. Visit our Voter Information ([link removed]) page to learn everything you need to know. And watch the video ([link removed]) below to learn about the proposals on the ballot from experts like Pamela Stewart-Martinez.

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LJ Portis on the Root Causes of Environmental Racism

As we gear up for the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Scotland, journalists are asking questions about our nation's preparedness for the impacts of climate change. LJ Portis talked to Dame Magazine about disinvestment and other root causes of the disproportionate impacts of climate change on communities of color. Read the Article ([link removed])

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Sign the Petition to Block Fracked Gas Infrastructure in Brooklyn

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) recently denied permits to two natural gas power plant upgrades ([link removed]) . And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will investigate National Grid’s North Brooklyn Pipeline and Greenpoint facility for potential violations of federal and state environmental and civil rights laws ([link removed]) . All great news!

But the fight is far from over. National Grid is seeking permits for more fracked gas vaporizers as part of the North Brooklyn Pipeline. So please take a moment to sign this online petition and let the Governor and the NYSDEC know that they should deny these permits as well. Sign the Petition ([link removed])

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Get Ready for Our Push for Public Power
Saturday, October 30

What is public power? And why is it an environmental justice issue? Get the answers to these questions and any others you may have at the Public Power NY coalition’s statewide orientation at 12:00 PM EDT on Saturday, October 30. WE ACT is part of this coalition, and we view public power as a key step in equitably addressing climate change. Come learn why public-owned utilities can help us achieve climate justice for all New Yorkers! RSVP ([link removed])

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Moving Towards Beauty Justice: Conversations for Change
Thursday, November 11

Join us, the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, and the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan for Moving Towards Beauty Justice: Conversations for Change on Thursday, November 11 at 3:00 PM. Come learn about toxics in beauty and personal care products and how to take action for change. RSVP ([link removed])

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Year-End Membership Meeting
Saturday, November 13

Join us on Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM for our final Membership Meeting of 2021. As is our tradition for the year-end meeting, we will look back on all that we were able to accomplish this year as well give you a preview of what we have planned for next year, including an overview of our key policy initiatives and programs as well as ways you can get more involved in our work. RSVP ([link removed])

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Climate Justice Rally
Saturday, November 13

After our Year-End Membership Meeting ([link removed]) on Saturday, November 13, join us for the NY Renews’ statewide mobilization: The Fall of Fossil Fuels, the Rise of Climate Justice. Everyone else is meeting in Times Square at 12:00 PM to march to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s office at 633 Third Avenue (between 41st & 40th Streets), but we will meet them there at 1:00 PM. Contact Annie Carforo at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) if you have any questions! RSVP ([link removed])

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Raya Salter will be among the panelists discussing New York State’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act, what progress we’ve made, and what you can do to advance it at New York Renews’ statewide Zoom at 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 4. RSVP ([link removed])

Sonal Jessel will be on the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency’s Climate Justice panel at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 5 as part of Hindsight 2021: Urban Planning with an Equity Lens. RSVP ([link removed])

Yuwa Vosper will be among the speakers at Moving Towards Beauty Justice: Conversations for Change, our conference on toxics in beauty and personal care products on Thursday, November 11 at 3:00 PM with the Columbia Center for Children's-Environmental Health and the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan. RSVP ([link removed])

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Take a Stand: A Concert for Climate Action
Saturday, October 30

The good folks at PROTESTRA ([link removed]) are presenting Take a Stand: A Concert for Climate Action on Saturday, October 30 at 7:00 PM EDT – with the proceeds going to WE ACT and the Environmental Defense Fund! Two types of tickets are available: in-person at the Broadway Presbyterian Church on West 114th Street in Harlem or streamed online via YouTube. Learn more & RSVP ([link removed])

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Get Funded for Projects Addressing Air Quality, Housing, or Toxics
Columbia Announces Applications; Honors Cecil Corbin-Mark

Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan ([link removed]) (P30 Center) has launched its annual call for pilot project applications. They have also announced that they will be funding one pilot project per year in commemoration of Cecil Corbin-Mark and the work he did. Cecil was WE ACT’s long-serving Deputy Director who passed away in 2020.

Projects will need to be in collaboration with a community group and focus on toxics, air quality, or housing. You can learn more and apply here ([link removed]) before the December 1, 2021 deadline.

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Heat or Eat This Winter?
Op-Ed from Columbia’s Diana Hernandez

Our good friend and colleague Diana Hernández ([link removed]) , an associate professor ([link removed]) of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, wrote an Op-Ed in USA Today on the choices some people have to make simply to stay warm in the winter. We’ve talked a lot about the choices folks have to make due to extreme heat in the summer, but let’s not forget that many in our community face similarly difficult choices in the winter. Read the Op-Ed ([link removed])

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Jazz & Costumes in the Park
Sunday, October 31

Head to the bandshell in Jackie Robinson Park (Bradhurst Avenue & 148th Street in Harlem) on Sunday, October 31 at 2:00 PM for a free concert in remembrance of Harlem Blues owner Samuel Hargress, Jr., who passed away from COVID-19 last year.

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New York State Broadband Survey

The New York State Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to study the availability, reliability, and cost of high-speed internet and broadband services throughout the state, and publish a detailed internet access map with recommendations on how to help close the digital divide. If you would like to take a 10-minute survey (online, naturally, though a lack of participation in a given area could serve as an indicator of lack of access), please click here ([link removed]) .

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