Join us at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 10 for our September Membership meeting. It will be the first in-person membership meeting we’ve had in, well, a long time! And those attending in-person will need to present proof of vaccination before entering. Also, we’re close to finalizing our location, so we’ll update this as soon as it’s confirmed.
Besides seeing our smiling faces, why should you attend? Because we will be talking about New York State’s critical new Environmental Bond Act up for vote this November. This ballot initiative is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance environmental justice in New York. We’ll walk you through Environmental Bond Act so you will have a better understanding of what it is designed to accomplish.
The Central Business District Tolling Program is the official name of what is known as congestion pricing, a proposal by the city to toll private vehicles in parts of Manhattan. New York City has done an environmental assessment of the program, which you can view here. We urge you to take the time to review it and submit your comments online here, email them to [email protected], call 646-252-7440, or sign up via the links below to comment during one of the public hearings:
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) published its Draft Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Public Housing Authority Plan, which is available for public review online.
On August 31 at 5:30 PM at the Pace Schimmel Theater, there will be an opportunity for NYCHA residents to give oral testimony regarding the plan. There is also an opportunity to submit written comments by September 2nd.
WE ACT joined environmental justice advocates from 21 states in New Orleans this week for Justice40: A Time for Righteous Investment. We are proud to be a leading voice in the coalition which is working to implement the Biden administration's "Justice40" commitment that at least 40% of federal climate investments must go directly to frontline communities.
This conference was a first step to determine how Justice40 funds can impact communities and what organizations plan to do to strategically lead environmental justice advocacy, organizing, and accountability for Justice40 in their communities. The WE ACT team presented a long-term plan and conducted power mapping with the coalition to prepare a national strategy around Justice40.
The coalition will launch a Justice40 pilot program in Atlanta this fall.
EPA Supreme Court Ruling: Climate Wire reports that the Supreme Court's West Virginia v Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruling limiting the EPA's ability to regulate power plant emissions could have significant impacts on environmental justice communities. Peggy Shepard and other advocates help explain why.
Columbia Climate School Graduates: Congratulations to Briana Carbajal, WE ACT's State Legislative Manager, who recently graduated from Columbia's Climate School with an MA in Climate and Society and was featured in the school's spotlight of prominent graduates!
Trendy or Toxic?
What are the impacts of toxins in fashion and beauty products? Join us for a webinar at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 13 during which industry and academic experts will expand our understanding of toxic exposure in fashion and beauty.
Our 2022 Gala will be in-person! Join us from 6:00-9:00 PM at International House on Thursday, October 27 to celebrate all of this year’s achievements! After two years of Zoom Galas, this will be a special one that you don't want to miss. We’ll be honoring Dr. Beverly L. Wright, Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice; Jessica Ottney Mahar, New York Director of Policy & Strategy at The Nature Conservancy; and Mychal Johnson, Co-Founder of South Bronx Unite.
As a part of our Beauty Inside Out campaign, we are surveying girls and femme-identifying people of color between 13-17 years of age that live in Northern Manhattan (West Harlem, Central Harlem, East Harlem, Inwood, and Washington Heights). The survey will help us better understand how girls and femme-identifying people of color use and feel about certain types of cosmetic products and how this might affect their health.
The survey takes 15-20 minutes, and respondents that complete the survey will receive a $6 Subway Restaurant gift card. If you are between the ages of 13-17, parental permission is required. And since the pandemic interrupted our survey, we should note that anyone who already took the survey is not eligible.
If you are interested in participating, please complete this Google form. Once the form is completed, a parent/legal guardian will be contacted, and you will be informed of the next steps.
What Should Our Transportation Working Group Focus On?
WE ACT is considering reactivating the transportation working group. In the past, this group primarily centered on MTA-related issues. Through this survey, we would like to hear from you, our members, what version 2.0 of this working group should focus on.
Now Hiring: Help Us Fight for Environmental Justice!
As you may have noticed, the WE ACT team has been growing and we need your help to continue this growth! We are looking to hire the following positions:
In our New York City office:
Director of Environmental Health
Energy Justice Policy Specialist
Bilingual Community Organizer
In our Washington, DC office
National Coalition Manager
Federal Regulatory Affairs Manager (Attorney)
Clean Air & Water Policy Manager (Attorney)
Senior Communications Manager
Environmental Justice Research Analyst
Visit weact.org/careers to download the job descriptions and apply for any of these positions. Join our team!
