City Policy

WE ACT Cited as an Effective Climate Nonprofit in Fast Company – Dec. 19, 2021

In a December 19, 2021 article in Fast Company on the need to fund environmental nonprofits, WE ACT for Environmental Justice was cited as an example of an effective environmental nonprofit “accomplishing a lot on a shoestring budget.” Read the

Peggy Shepard & Congressman Espaillat Call for East Harlem Transit Hub in Daily News Op-Ed – November 24, 2021

WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Co-Founder & Executive Director Peggy Shepard and U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) co-authored an Op-Ed in the New York Daily News on November 24, 2021 making the case for a transit hub and other infrastructure

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

New York City Council Passes Legislation to Protect Our Children, Communities, & Climate by Transitioning to Electric School Buses

NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL PASSES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, COMMUNITIES, & CLIMATE BY TRANSITIONING TO ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES Also Passes Legislation to Create Citywide Climate Adaptation Plan to Help Address Impacts of Climate Change FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2021

IPCC Report Demonstrates Urgent Need for New York City to Pass Legislation for Gas-Free New Construction

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 10, 2021 For More Information: Sonal Jessel, WE ACT (646) 983-0224 Liz Moran, NYPIRG (518) 610-1828 Pete Sikora, NYCC (917) 648-7786 INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT DEMONSTRATES URGENT NEED FOR NEW YORK CITY

Sonal Jessel Takes the Verge on Our East Harlem Heat Tour – July 14, 2021

When the Verge approached us to learn more about the Urban Heat Island effect, WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Director of Policy and resident heat expert Sonal Jessel, M.P.H. took journalist Justine Calma and her film crew on our East

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

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

City Council Passes Common Sense Lead Legislation to Protect New York City’s Children

CITY COUNCIL PASSES COMMON SENSE LEAD LEGISLATION TO PROTECT NEW YORK CITY’S CHILDREN Expanding Inspection Requirements When Lead Is Detected and Increasing Oversight and Enforcement of Lead Dust from Construction FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2021 Contact: Chris

Renewable Rikers Act Could Serve as a Model for a Just Transition from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy

Creating a Major Source of Renewable Energy for New York City and Green Jobs for Communities Adversely Impacted by Environmental and Criminal Injustice FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2021 Contact: Chris Dobens, 212-410-1963, chris@weact.org HARLEM, NY — WE ACT for Environmental Justice