Environmental Health

WE ACT Responds to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2022 State of the State Agenda

In her first State-of-the-State address, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul demonstrated a commitment to the environment and fighting climate change, though largely came up short in addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change, air pollution, toxic chemicals, and other

Gas Free NYC

Gas Free NYC: Decarbonizing New York City’s Future Buildings Seventy-one percent of New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions, the air pollution that causes climate change, come from buildings burning fossil fuels like natural gas. And studies have found that air

Ashley James Writes Op-Ed on Health Inequities in NYCHA in City Limits – October 7, 2021

WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Environmental Health Coordinator Ashley James wrote an Op-Ed published in City Limits on October 7, 2021 calling attention to the health risks faced by New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents and urging them to

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

Sonal Jessel on Extreme Heat in East Harlem in National Geographic – June 17, 2021

WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Director of Policy Sonal Jessel, M.P.H. was featured in a June 17, 2021 National Geographic article on the impact of extreme heat around the world. She gave the journalist a “heat tour” of East Harlem

New York State Legislature Wins in Harlem World – June 11, 2021

Harlem World Magazine featured our two New York State legislative wins – the Family & Fire Fighter Protection Act and Lead in School Drinking Water – in a June 11, 2021 article. Read the Article

New York State Legislature Passes Two Bills Reducing Exposure To Toxic Chemicals

NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES TWO BILLS REDUCING EXPOSURE TO TOXIC CHEMICALS Addressing the Disparate Exposure to Toxic Chemicals in Communities of Color is a Key Environmental Justice Issue FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2021 Contact:

UPTOWN CHATS: Toxics Are A Drag

A Panel Discussion on Toxic Beauty Products in the Queer Community Hair straighteners, skin lighteners, and makeup products can be packed with harmful chemicals that can leave negative impacts on the body. Many of these toxic products are disproportionately

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

Sonal Jessel Makes the Case for Electric School Buses in Governing Op-Ed – April 19, 2021

WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Director of Policy Sonal Jessel, M.P.H. co-authored an April 19, 2021 Op-Ed in Governing with the Amalgamated Transit Union’s International President John A. Costa in which they make the case for replacing dirty diesel school