Blog

A Park Built Upon Environmental Justice

Since moving Uptown from the Dominican Republic at the age of three, I’ve lived within a three block radius of a major highway every time we’ve moved. My parents encouraged me to spend as much time as possible outside, completely

Ashes for Fertilizer: Stepping Into a Legacy of Transformation

There are few times that have catalyzed change in my life as much as the Summer of 2020. Prior to that point I always knew I wanted to work toward social justice, but I hadn’t quite found my direction. I

Why Are Gas Prices So High and What Should the Government Be Doing About It?

Preface: This piece was first written before the release of the Inflation Reduction Act and therefore does not comment on the merits of this proposed legislation relative to gas prices. Gasoline[1] prices across the country have risen at unprecedented

Funding Available for Electric School Buses: What You Need to Know Now

For many schoolchildren, their day begins with riding a school bus filled with their classmates’ chatter and laughter. Most parents, educators, and school districts have no idea that this seemingly safe method of transportation may be the most dangerous part

Juneteenth & Father’s Day: An Intergenerational Look at Our Relationship with the Natural Environment

As a transplant from the South, I have spent a lot of time thinking about not only the connections between environmental justice and Juneteenth, but also the connections that Black people have to nature and the outdoors in general. For

Reshaping NYCHA’s Political Future through Voter Engagement

In recent years voter engagement has become a high-priority program for many advocacy groups, including WE ACT for Environmental Justice, signaling a desire to defend democracy, and to send a message to elected officials that constituencies are motivated and that

Juneteenth 2021: Celebrate with a Vote

As we celebrate Juneteenth, we could take some comfort in the fact that it has just been made a national holiday. But we don’t need a holiday – we need justice. And given the efforts to suppress the study

The Truth About Flame Retardants: They’re Poisoning Us

The Family and Fire Fighter Protection Act (S. 4630-A/A. 5418) will remove highly toxic chemicals from homes in New York State. These chemicals are found in many flame retardants, which are often applied to your mattresses, upholstered furniture, children’s car

SUNS Rises: The Creation of Our Solar Workers Cooperative

Out of WE ACT’s Solar Uptown Now program, 10 solar workers established a cooperative, fulfilling their ambition to own a stake in the emerging green economy, to create job opportunities for other people of color, and ultimately, to give back

Why WE ACT for Environmental Justice Supports the Nomination of Deb Haaland to Lead the Department of the Interior

Rep. Deb Haaland is up for a historic confirmation hearing as the first Native American to serve as Secretary of the Interior. She would also be the first ever Native American cabinet secretary. So, what does this historic nomination mean