Join us for our February Membership Meeting on Saturday, February 11 from 10 am - 12 pm in-person at the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, located at 454 West 155th Street (between St Nicholas & Amsterdam Avenues). Sonal Jessel will be discussing our New York State policies and Pamela Stewart-Martinez will discuss the 2030 Census and showcase some Black environmental justice leaders as part of Black History Month.
Air pollution doesn't just damage your lungs - it can also break your heart. Join the Healthy Homes Working Group on Valentine's Day, February 14 at 6 pm to learn about air quality justice and air monitoring in Northern Manhattan. Participants will become knowledgeable on the dangers of air pollution, how to identify key pollutants, and recognize the contributors. Participants will also become familiar with climate change including triggers, mitigation, and adaptation strategies. This will be a part of the second EHJLT course on February 14th - please register for "Air Quality" on Evenbrite to attend!
Join the Beauty Inside Out Working Group on February 15 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm for a special virtual discussion with Dr. Lariah Edwards from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, who will share her expert insights on our recently published study on the use of toxic beauty products in the Northern Manhattan community. This is the first in a series of Working Group meetings that will explore and develop ways we can push the beauty justice movement forward.
The New York State legislative session is in full swing and we are participating in several upcoming lobby days to advocate for the advancement of environmental justice. Join us for the following events:
Lead-Free Kids Advocacy Day
Join WE ACT and Lead-Free Kids NY and raise your voice for environmental health and justice! Meet with key decision-makers at the NYS Capitol to advocate for priorities this session in teams led by experienced advocacy pros. No prior experience necessary!
February 14, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm, virtual,Register here
Energy Efficiency, Equity, & Jobs Act Advocacy Day
Join WE ACT and the Energy Democracy Alliance for a virtual advocacy day for energy efficiency legislation. No prior experience necessary!
February 15, 10 am - 4:30 pm, virtual, Register here
Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products Law Virtual Public Meeting
Join WE ACT and the JustGreen Partnership to help reduce the exposure to toxic chemicals in our community.
WE ACT is hosting free training classes to become Occupational Safety and Health Administration/Site Safety Training (OSHA/SST) certified and Flagging Scaffolding certified. All interested registrants MUST attend a mandatory training orientation before beginning the courses.
In-person at WE ACT's Office: 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, Second Floor
Flagging & Scaffolding Certification Course
March 6, 8:30 am - 5 pm
In-person at WE ACT's Office: 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, Second Floor
Reach out to Charles Callaway at [email protected] with any questions!
Early Bird Tickets on Sale for WE ACT's Earth Day 5K!
Early bird tickets are now on sale for $25 for our annual Earth Day 5K on Randall's Island! You can register today using the promo code "earlybird" - this offer will only be available for a limited time!
Join us to celebrate Earth Day, help raise funds for WE ACT's work, and run or walk for a healthier, greener community. Participants will be able to run or walk the 5K, as well as interact with WE ACT staff and learn more about our environmental justice advocacy. All proceeds from the event will support WE ACT. And if you can’t join us, please consider making a donation to support our work.
All-Electric Building Act and NY HEAT: State Senator Nathalia Fernandez mentioned our Out of Gas, In with Justice report in an op-ed calling for the passage of the All-Electric Building Act and NY HEAT.
Hearing on Energy Policies: The Arkansas Democrat Gazette's coverage of the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee's hearing on energy policies and regulations noted Dana Johnson's testimony, in which she emphasized the need for discussing environmental and health impacts when drafting legislation.
Rep. Espaillat Praises WE ACT: In his State of the District address, U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat praised the work of WE ACT and pledged to fund the environmental work of grassroots community groups.
Cumulative Impacts Law: Letter to the Editor from Bronx Climate Justice North & North Bronx Racial Justice's Jennifer Scarlott on the passage of the cumulative impacts law credited WE ACT for its work and quoted Sonal Jessel.
Beau Morton Spotlighted in Earth in Color
Check out this spotlight in Earth in Color of our always inspiring Director of Environmental Health and Education, Beau Morton. Beau shares their story of growing up with strong Southern roots in a conservation-minded family and how this led them into the environmental justice movement.
In Case You Missed It: Out of Gas, In with Justice Advocacy Webinar
In case you missed it, watch our Out of Gas in with Justice advocacy webinar that explains the results of our study more in-depth and what they mean for our advocacy efforts going forward.
East Harlem Pier Redevelopment Meeting
Interested in the redevelopment of Pier 107 in East Harlem? The City's Parks Department and Economic Development Corporation are hosting an in-person workshop on Monday, February 13 at 6:30 pm at 433 East 100th Street (enter through the River Crossing front entrance; the meeting will be in the Vito Marcantonio building).
Grow NYC is hosting a Stop'n Swap event in West Harlem this Saturday, February 11! Head over after WE ACT's membership meeting to St. Mary's Episcopal Church at 521 West 126th St. from 12 - 3 pm to give away items you no longer need or take something home with you. Please bring clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, toys, household goods, books, or electronics.
Implementing the Inflation Reduction Act
Join E&E News reporters for an informative webinar on the state of the Inflation Reduction Act on Tuesday, February 14 at 1:30 pm. This landmark law included billions for electric vehicle tax credits, renewable energy investment tax credits, project funding, competitive grants, and more. They will review what has been rolled out so far with the law and what is to come.
Looking to start a business, or get your business moving forward? Harlem Business Alliance is hosting a free six-week interactive workshop, Think Like A Business, designed to help you build a complete business plan. At the end of the series, there will be a business plan pitch competition, with the winner receiving a cash prize! You can register for the in-person series here, or for the virtual series here. Preference will be given to Community Board 10 residents and those who are 125 percent and below the HHS Poverty Guidelines. This is funded in part by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development.
Johnson & Johnson Loses Attempt to Cheat Cancer Survivors
If you thought Johnson & Johnson couldn't sink any lower, you'd be wrong. The company has been attempting to exploit legal loopholes to cheat survivors, who got cancer from their asbestos ridden talc-based baby powder, out of the compensation that the company was already court-ordered to provide. Fortunately, another court decision just stopped them. This is great news for people who were sickened by their baby powder and will now be compensated. It will also make it more difficult for the company to exploit these loopholes again in the future, making this a long-term win for people over corporate greed.
