NYC's annual Climate Week starts on September 19! Check out this list of events that WE ACT is participating in next week:
Peggy on NYU's A New Era of Climate & Energy Policy: The climate and energy landscape has shifted dramatically with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the West Virginia v. EPA ruling, and other recent developments. Peggy will join noted speakers from around the country to discuss the state of energy policy and environmental justice in the wake of these shifts at the day-long virtual conference.
September 20
Peggy to attend the United Nations Climate Action: Race to Zero and Resilience Forum: In partnership with the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions for COP26 and COP27, Bloomberg Philanthropies is hosting a landmark forum bringing together businesses, financial institutions, cities, regions, and civic and cultural leaders. Throughout the day, Heads of State, CEOs, mayors, and other thought leaders will share the work they are doing to combat the climate crisis.
September 21, 12:30 pm
Local Resilience: RPA and Rebuild by Design, in collaboration with Environmental Defense Fund and many community-led organizations, have developed an interactive mapping tool to showcase the planning and visioning efforts that have occurred since Hurricane Sandy. This discussion will serve as an introduction to the interactive tool and will focus on the local planning efforts throughout New York City.
September 22, 12 pm
Green Leadership Trust Climate Justice Sessions: Join 2 sessions back-to-back to discuss the state of climate justice and the political, social, and financial priorities of the environmental justice movement.
September 22, 1:30 - 5:30 pm
Javits Convention Center
445 11th Avenue New York, Room 402, New York, NY
Local Law 97 is Here! New Yorkers Tackling the Climate Crisis: At this webinar, we will discuss how advocating for equitable implementation of city laws like Local Law 97 (LL97) (which requires most buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet new energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits by 2024) can ensure a healthier and safer future for all of New York. We will also demystify the barriers around actively working towards a just climate transition using resources available to every day New Yorkers through LL97.
September 22, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Young Feminist Meet Up: Join for an evening mixer for young feminists, advocates, and activists working across movements for climate justice, gender justice, economic justice, social justice, and more. In addition to Sonal Jessel, there will be food, music, a brief conversation circle, and action/art stations!
September 23, 5:30-7:30 pm
320 W 37th St, New York, NY
Dr. Bullard Featured in NY Times: If you've never had a chance to learn about Dr. Bullard, take a moment to read this article. For decades now, the "Father of the Environmental Justice Movement" has been shaking up the status quo with uncomfortable questions about why low-income folks and communities of color are targeted for environmental sacrifice zones. We are proud to be partners with this tireless researcher and advocate.
Arsenic Scandal at NYCHA:Sonal Jessel speaks to the NY Times about the ongoing arsenic testing scandal at the Lower East Side NYCHA building. Meanwhile, NYCHA 's chief has resigned amid the ongoing fallout.
Letter to Congress to Stop Gas Stove Pollution: Building on our Out of Gas, In with Justice,WE ACT signed on to a letter to Congress to demand action to end gas stove pollution, which impacts the health of our communities and is bad for our climate.
Take Action: Contact Congress to Stop Manchin's Dirty Deal
Opposition is gaining momentum to Senator Joe Manchin's proposed federal permitting reforms that would benefit the fossil fuel industry and the Mountain Valley pipeline, threatening Indigenous and other frontline communities in Appalachia. If passed, this legislation, a deal Senator Manchin has allegedly made in exchange for his vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, would fast-track pipeline projects, gut bedrock environmental protections, threaten tribal authority, and exacerbate the climate crisis. WE ACT has joined hundreds of organizations in letters (letter 1, letter 2, letter 3) to Congress to demand an end to the deal.
Senator Schumer has said that he will include the legislation in Congress' continuing resolution for the budget which needs to pass before the end of September, so it is critical that he hears from you, his constituents, before the end of the month!
Run, bike, or walk with United Nations Association of New York (UNA-NYC) to celebrate the UN’s anniversary and recognize its tireless efforts to create a world in which everyone thrives in peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet.
The event is virtual, which means you may complete it at any time between October 16th and October 29th, anywhere in the world. You can choose between two distances: 5K and 10K. We are honored to announce that a portion of the proceeds for this year's race will go to WE ACT!
Yes, folks, 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.
September Membership Meeting: Our September meeting touched on the critical Environmental Bond Act up for election this November, federal updates including the Inflation Reduction Act, and more! Watch the recording here
Trendy or Toxic: Our panel of experts discussed toxins and environmental impacts in the beauty and fashion industries. Watch the recording here
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)
Policy Director, Clean Air & Water (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!