Current Campaigns
WE ACT works to build healthy communities through advocacy, research, and community-based participatory planning. Here are our active campaigns and projects.
Better Buildings NY
For Health, Jobs, & Climate Justice To address the climate crisis, we need to dramatically reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are produced by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal, and contribute to
NYCHA Healthy Homes Campaign
What is a Healthy Home? According to the National Center for Healthy Housing, a healthy home is housing that is designed, constructed, maintained, and rehabilitated in a manner that is conducive to good occupant health. At WE ACT, we
Energy Efficiency
UPDATE: The Equitable Investment in Energy Efficiency bill (S.3126A) passed the New York State Senate on March 3, 2021. Sponsored by Senator Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn), it’s an updated version of the original legislation we proposed. Learn More The Challenge On
Heat, Health, & Equity
The Challenge Because of climate change, New York City summers are getting hotter and the heat is lasting longer. According to a report released in 2017, there are about 13 heatstroke deaths per year, over 100 deaths “from natural causes
NYC Cooling Centers
Extreme heat events are increasing in frequency, severity, and duration in New York City. There are a number of negative health impacts from extreme heat, including heat stress, dehydration, dizziness, and fainting. These impacts can lead to hospitalization, worsening of
Home Energy Assistance Program
What is HEAP? The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a funding program from the federal and state government that assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling costs, energy crisis assistance, weatherization, and energy-related home repairs. In New
Beauty Inside Out
JOIN OUR WORKING GROUP If you are interested in getting involved in the work we’re doing regarding toxics in beauty and other personal care products, we encourage you to join our Beauty Inside Out Working Group. We meet bi-monthly at
Solar Uptown Now Services Solar Workers Cooperative
The Challenge Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by the air pollution and greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels to produce energy. In New York City, a study found that air pollution contributed to at least
Community Power: A Community Solar Project in East Harlem
The Challenge In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, WE ACT for Environmental Justice (WE ACT) worked with community members to develop a Northern Manhattan Climate Action plan. The plan identified the need for energy independence as a priority in Northern
Electric School Buses
Challenge The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. New York City’s school bus system transports about 150,000 students daily. In New York City, low-income communities and communities of color are exposed
East 125th Street Community Visioning Action Plan
East Harlem / El Barrio’s 125th Street corridor boasts the natural assets of a world-class cultural, business, and transportation center that could anchor good jobs, small businesses, green public spaces, and other services for the people who live, work, and
Solar Uptown Now!
Solar Uptown Now brings northern Manhattan community members together to purchase solar as a group and lower the cost of solar installation.
PFAS
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that are a public health and an environmental concern. The use of PFAS is widespread in the making of products that resist grease, oil, water, and stains – such
Phthalates
What Are Phthalates? (pronounced THAL-eights) are a group of chemicals linked to a variety of health concerns. They are used to make plastics more flexible, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, as well as a dissolving agent for other materials –
Environmental Justice, Health, and Carceral Facilities
WE ACT for Environmental Justice and Clean and Healthy New York released a report written by WE ACT’s Director of Policy Sonal Jessel, M.P.H. and Clean and Healthy New York’s Executive Director Bobbi Wilding, M.S. on policy recommendations for New
Hospital Community Benefits
WE ACT for Environmental Justice is working to achieve health equity by creating a bi-directional understanding between hospitals, community-based organizations (CBOs), and community members about how to focus on health prevention and address the social determinants of health. WE ACT
Climate Change and Its Impacts on Public Health in Inwood
Climate change can have serious impacts on the health of communities of color and low income, such as here in Inwood: • Climate change is causing more heat waves, which can lead to dehydration and hospitalizations. • More intense storms
Protecting NEPA
Read this Op-Ed on Why We Need to Protect NEPA by Peggy Shepard, Co-Founder and Executive Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, and Christy Goldfuss, Senior Vice President for Energy and Environment Policy at the Center for American Progress
Child Safe Products Act
Children of color are disproportionately exposed to toxic chemicals such as arsenic, formaldehyde, lead, mercury and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Researchers have linked these and other toxic chemicals found in children’s toys and essential products to cancer, learning disorders,
Cleaner Air, Cleaner Communities
Low income and/or communities of color in the U.S. are more likely to be located near sources of pollution. As a result, these communities often experience negative health outcomes such as higher levels of asthma and heart disease. African American,
Northern Manhattan Climate Action (NMCA) Plan
A plan to create resilience in the face of the disproportionate impacts of climate change on poor and working class communities.
Dirty Facts: How EPA Budget Cuts Impact Vulnerable Communities
Historically, low income communities and communities of color have been disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and pollution. Vulnerable communities are less likely to have the resources to prevent and take on environmental disasters. That is why it is critical that
Coalition for Asthma Free Homes
We have created a prescription to address asthma and asthma disparities: healthy, affordable housing.
Environmental Justice Leadership Forum
The EJ Forum is a national coalition of 54 environmental justice organizations working together to advance climate justice.
Healthy and Sustainable Public Housing
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the nation’s first and largest public housing agency. Housing nearly 600,000 residents, NYCHA’s mission is to provide decent, affordable housing to New Yorkers and access to social and community services. Decades after being
Unequal Air and Care: Asthma Disparities
How well are federal strategies to reduce disparities in the treatment and management of asthma working?
