Urban Heat Islands

WE ACT for Environmental Justice Applauds New York City Council Passing Legislation to Complete the Citywide Greenway Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 28, 2022 Contact: Chris Dobens, chris@weact.org, 718-679-8542 NEW YORK – Yesterday the New York City Council voted to pass Introduction 0291-2022. This bill requires the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department

Peggy Shepard & Sonal Jessel Recognized Among City & State New York’s Energy & Environment Power 100 – Dec. 20, 2021

On December 20, 2021, WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Co-Founder & Executive Director Peggy Shepard and Director of Policy Sonal Jessel were named among City & State New York’s Energy & Environment Power 100. Read the Article

Report Reveals Inequities in the Exposure to the Urban Heat Island in New York City

REPORT REVEALS INEQUITIES IN THE EXPOSURE TO THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND IN NEW YORK CITY Black and Latino Communities in Northern Manhattan are more vulnerable to heat-related health threats FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2021 CONTACTS: Fabiola Nunez,

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

Cecil Corbin-Mark Talks About Heat Vulnerability with NRDC – July 13, 2020

In a July 13, 2020 NRDC blog post, WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Deputy Director & Director of Policy Initiatives Cecil Corbin-Mark talks about heat vulnerability and how we are working to address it. Read the Article

Sonal Jessel Comments on NYC’s Get Cool AC Program on WNYC – June 25, 2020

On June 25, 2020, WE ACT’s Policy & Advocacy Coordinator Sonal Jessel was interviewed by WNYC radio on the City’s new program to provide free air conditioners to low-income senior citizens who feel safer inside due to COVID-19 yet are

Sonal Jessel Talks to the Verge About the Dangers of COVID-19 Sheltering in Place During the Summer – March 27, 2020

In a March 27, 2020 article in the Verge, WE ACT’s Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Sonal Jessel discusses the dangers of sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic for frontline communities once this summer’s heat waves start to arrive, along

Kerene Tayloe Talks About Environmental Justice on Two Broads Talking Politics – September 9, 2019

Director of Federal Legislative Affairs for Kerene Tayloe talks about environmental justice, CNN’s Climate Town Hall, urban heat islands, our Worker Training program, and the greening of the economy on the Two Broads Talking Politics podcast. Listen to the Interview

WE ACT Awarded $100,000 Grant from the Kresge Foundation to Build Climate Resilience and Improve Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 28, 2019 Contact: Chris Dobens, 212-961-1000 ext. 320, chris@weact.org HARLEM, NY — WE ACT for Environmental Justice (WE ACT) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation to advance policy solutions aimed at