Environmental Health and Justice Leadership Training for Youth
We are collaborating with Start:Empowerment to host a virtual series of our award-winning Environmental Health and Justice Leadership Training (EHJLT) for youth and young activists under 25! There will be four modules in total covering different topics within environmental justice, with each session lasting 90 minutes. These workshops will include an optional project for participants to practice putting their newfound knowledge and skills to use, and will culminate in an EXPO for participants to share what they've been working on. NOTE: Participants are required to attend at least two workshops to join the EXPO.
Chair of the White House's Council on Environmental Quality Visits WE ACT
Chair of the White House's Council on Environmental Quality Brenda Mallory and her staff joined us for an environmental justice walking tour of West Harlem. She saw firsthand the impacts of environmental racism in West Harlem and the work WE ACT has done to address it. The tour was important for helping the White House to understand the importance of environmental justice as they roll out the Justice40 initiative, which requires at least 40% of the funding to address climate change go to historically marginalized communities.
East Harlem Community Emergency Preparedness Education Event
Are you prepared for the next natural disaster in East Harlem? Learn about emergency preparedness activities in East Harlem and receive a FREE "go bag" packed with essential items and ready for use in case of an emergency (limited supply).
Saturday, September 24th, 10:00am - 12:00 pm, Wear Your Mask!
James Weldon Johnson Community Center
1833 Lexington Ave. at 114th St, New York, NY
Harlem Heat Project Helps Address Climate Change: Annie Carforo spoke to Fast Company about the importance of citizen science in addressing the climate crisis, such as we used in our Harlem Heat Project, and noted some of the advocacy efforts that it has led to.
WE ACT Joins Climate Action Campaign: Talking about the need for broad, diverse support to help address the decades of disinvestment and environmental racism, Peggy was featured in the Washington Informer's coverage of the “Solutions for Pollution” campaign, which is calling on the Biden administration to carry out its responsibilities under our nation’s bedrock environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, by advancing approximately 20 protections across federal agencies that could cut climate pollution in half by 2030, advance vital public health and environmental justice goals, accelerate the transition to clean energy, and create new economic opportunity.
Manchin's Dirty Permitting Deal: Naadiya Hutchinson spoke to Route Fifty about the growing fury over Manchin's side deal that would weaken permitting requirements for fossil fuel projects and expressed concern in another article about Senator Capito's permitting proposal, noting that it would give states sole authority over fracking. Peggy Shepard also weighed in on the harmful impacts of Senator Manchin's Permitting Bill in Grist. WE ACT is also among the groups urging the U.S. Senate's Environmental Justice Caucus to reject Senator Manchin's permitting deal.
Big NY, NJ Infrastructure Projects Advance with Renewed Momentum: Sonal Jessel was featured in coverage of Engineering News-Record's NY/NJ Infrastructure Forum, where she spoke about our work in East Harlem and the need for the community to have a voice in infrastructure projects such as the Second Avenue subway.
Letter to Congress: Protect the Public from Gas Stove Pollution: As the dangers of toxic indoor air pollution from gas stoves becomes more and more evident, WE ACT signed a letter to Congress demanding that they do more to address the danger of gas stoves.
Letter to EPA: Adopt Stronger Truck Standards: WE ACT joined other groups in a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt the strongest standards for heavy-duty truck admissions by the end of the year.
Take Action: Contact Congress to Stop Manchin's Dirty Deal
Opposition continues for 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!
Peggy Shepard will be on the Your Body This Earth: Women and Ecology, EcoSpirituality and Climatepanel with Nicole Casanova and Lizzy Jeff at 1:30 pm on September 30th as part of Sensing Woman 2022. Sensing Woman is a five-day event celebrating female connection and the future of being female and will take place at the C24 Gallery in New York City.
No More Toxic PFAS Chemicals in REI Products
WE ACT joined the JustGreen Partnership and state legislators Hoylman and Gallagher to demand the REI stop using dangerous PFAS chemicals in its products. The signatures were delivered to the manager of REI's SoHo flagship store after a rally out front on Tuesday. Petitions were also delivered in person to the Long Island store and REI's headquarters in Seattle.
PFAS is common in many products, especially waterproof plastics, and has been linked to many health problems including cancer and immune deficiency. People of color and low income communities are disproportionately exposed to these chemicals. The coalition is also demanding that Governor Hochul ban PFAS statewide.
Text “outside” to 833-536-1881 to sign the petition for REI!
Save the Date! Membership Meeting October 8
Save the Date for our October Membership Meeting at 10 am on Saturday, October 8. We will preview the results of our Out of Gas, In with Justice pilot program and talk about Participatory Budgeting.
City Strategies to Turn Good Intentions Into New Miles of Lead Free Water
Lead service line replacement (LSLR) replacement often brings to mind torn up streets and traffic jams. Even so, there are effective strategies to obtain consent for LSLR and prioritize LSLR at childcare centers (and other locations with young children).
Yuwa Vosper will speak at this event along with Denver Water and Cleveland Water who will share their successful models, including identification of sensitive populations, outreach models, and partnership development with childcare councils, trusted community voices, and residents.
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.
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.
Demystifying Manchin's Dirty Deal: Check out this webinar to better understand what the backdoor permitting bill championed by Senator Manchin is about, how it would harm environmental justice communities, and what we can do to stop it.
Register to Vote in New York by October 14!
The important midterm elections are happening on November 8. If you are not already registered to vote in New York, register by October 14th to vote in this year's elections!
#Teach10Hours4Climate Campaign
The #Teach10Hours4Climate campaign launched this week and is asking educators, principals, school districts, and policymakers to increase the time students spend learning about the climate crisis from 2 hours per year to 10. Learn more about the campaign, take the #Teach10Hours4Climate pledge and download the campaign guide on their website.
New Book on Children's Health and Climate Change
Place your order for Children's Health and the Peril of Climate Change by Frederica Perera, a professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University and long time WE ACT partner and advocate. Order here and use the code AMPROMD9 to receive a 30% discount!
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!
