Blog

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

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

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

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

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

As I sat in the beauty salon chair, flinching from the sensation of the heat over my edges, I repeated to myself, “beauty is pain and pain is beauty.” That was the affirmation of an 11-year old girl who believed

  In February 2020, Sloan Award for Excellence winning high school teacher Dr. Jared Fox reached out to WE ACT for Environmental Justice (WE ACT) to plan our annual Youth Environmental Health and Justice Leadership Training (EHJLT) with his students

Why We Need New York City to Enforce Local Law 55 of 2018   Sokhna Seye and Temera Degroot, high school students attending The Beacon School, are concerned about the enforcement of Local Law No. 55 of 2018. This New

On February 26-27, 2019, WE ACT and fellow environmental justice champions from around the country visited Washington, D.C. to elevate our concerns about the myriad of environmental and health issues disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color. In particular,

New York City is in the throes of one of the worst housing crises in generations. Affordability is plummeting, displacement and homelessness have reached record levels, and the severe public health consequences of the living conditions that feed gentrification will

I grew up in California’s wine country with mild and wet weather throughout the winter. My family’s three-bedroom apartment would be mostly warm and cozy during those months but the bedroom I shared with my younger sister would be damp

“When Architects and Designers specify better, healthier building products for housing renovations it can make a big impact on the lives of residents and provide concrete evidence for change.” —Alison Mears, Director, Healthy Materials Lab Research demonstrates that substantial human health

As famous rapper J.Cole once said, “Lemme take y’all back man as I do so well…” It’s January 2016. You’re on the way to the gym to keep that New Year’s resolution you had made about being healthier. Driving in

On June 8-9th, 2018, environmental justice leaders from across the United States traveled to Richmond, Virginia for the annual Environmental Justice Leadership Forum meeting. This year’s theme was ‘Strategically Aligned.’ At the meeting, members of the Forum and other representatives

Each year, I buy my little cousins birthday gifts. When searching for the perfect toy, I consider factors such as how age appropriate the toy is and if it improves their mental development. However, I never thought I would have

On a cool October 28th morning, WE ACT members trekked across the Brooklyn Bridge with 5,000 other New Yorkers to commemorate Hurricane Sandy. “SYSTEM CHANGE NOT CLIMATE CHANGE,” was displayed on one of the signs held by WE ACT members.

For environmental justice advocates like myself, hurricane season is always a nerve wracking time of year. Unless you have been on a media diet, you know that hurricanes devastated the United States, Puerto Rico and several other Caribbean islands this

As a child, I spent most of my time outdoors. My family and I enjoyed picnics, hiked mountain trails, and flew kites in the park less than a mile from our home. However, the time I spent outdoors was not

From the air we breathe, to the clothes we wear, to the food we eat — we are inundated with toxic chemicals.

As much as pipelines are about our dependency on fossil fuels and climate change, they are often about systemic racism and the continuing colonization of indigenous peoples

Cities experience higher daytime temperatures and less nighttime cooling than surrounding neighbors.

The CPP directly impacts environmental justice and all other communities.

California has been at the forefront when taking steps to address environmental justice concerns.

What does it mean to be a feminist today given climate change?

The green energy transition affords a unique opportunity for EJ communities to shape, quite literally, the infrastructure of power in the United States

How can we, as black women who are disproportionately affected by climate change, protect ourselves and our world while still protecting our kinky ends?

WE ACT heads to Paris to Support Climate Action

There is no reason that EJ communities should not have their voices and concerns heard.