Policy Forums

NYLCVEF educational forums bring together elected officials, environmental leaders, and the general public for discussion on timely environmental policy issues. Our educational forums take a variety of forms – ranging from multi-day events with hundreds of attendees to intimate roundtable discussions with industry leaders.

CLCPA Scoping Plan Lunch & Learn

On Wednesday, May 18th, NYLCVEF and our partner, Sustainable Westchester held a virtual Lunch and Learn focused on the Scoping Plan for New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The CLCPA is among the most ambitious climate laws in the world and re

Recap: Huntington Town Supervisor Forum

On October 20th, 2021, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) held a forum with the candidates for Huntington Town Supervisor -- Ed Smyth, Rebecca Sanin, and Eugene Cook --  to discuss their stances on a range of environmental and sustainability issues. The Forum was moderated by NYLCVEF President Julie Tighe and en

Recap: NYC Council District 32 Candidate Forum

On October 5th, 2021, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) held a candidate forum for New York Council District 32, which is a coastal district and climate frontline community. It centers around Jamaica Bay, Ozone Park, and the western half of the Rockaways and is currently occupied by Council Member Eric Ulrich. T

Recap: What’s Next for PFAS? Webinar

On June 29th, 2021 NYLCVEF hosted a virtual public forum along with Suez, a New York water service company to discuss per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). NYLCVEF President Julie Tighe began by introducing the topic of water contamination, specifically regarding PFAS. To combat contamination in NY, the Drinking Water Advisory Council lowe

Recap: Ranked Choice Voting Webinar

Primary Election Day is June 22nd. The best way to advocate for the environment is to make sure you cast your ballot. Check here for information on deadlines and locations.

Webinar Recap: Decarbonizing Our Manufacturing Sector

On May 25th, together with Columbia’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, we held a webinar on the opportunities and challenges of decarbonizing the manufacturing sector, which is the third-largest contributor to emissions nationally. This webinar was the fifth in

Recap: Advancing Wind & Protecting Wildlife Webinar

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On April 21, together with Citizens Campaign for the Environment, we held an event on Advancing Wind and Protecting Wildlife. The event focused on how offshore wind energy projects can be built without causing any adverse effects on the neighboring wildlife. 

Expert Insight: Natural Resources and Climate Mitigation

On January 14, together with Columbia’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, we held an event focused on implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act as it pertains to New York’s natural resources. We convened two panels of experts to discuss how protecting nature can help with climate chan

Forum Recap: Extended Producer Responsibility legislation for packaging

On Friday, February 26th, we hosted a webinar on extended producer responsibility (EPR). The forum focused on how extended producer responsibility legislation for packaging can help us achieve our waste reduction goals. The webinar featured presentations by several experts in waste and policy, followed by a Q&

Recap: Natural Resources Forum

On January 14, 2021, together with Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, we held the fourth virtual forum in our series on Implem

Recap: Forum on Reducing Emissions from Buildings

We recently held the second virtual forum in our series on implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act together with Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. This roundtable focused on reducing emissions from the buildings sector, both in and outside of New York City. Build

Recap: Discussion on the South Fork Wind Farm

We recently held a ninety minute informational session on the South Fork Wind project in partnership with Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Group for the East End, Renewable Energy Long Island, and Win With Wind. The South Fork Wind Farm, powered by Orsted and Eversource, will be the first offshore wind farm

Implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act: A Virtual Roundtable Series

In partnership with the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, we are hosting a series of forums on implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

Recap: Roundtable on Reducing Transportation Sector Emissions

Together with Columbia University’s Sabin Center For Climate Change Law, we recently held the third virtual forum in our series on implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This roundtable focused on reducing emissions from the transportation sector, which is the state’s largest contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emi

Recap: Offshore Wind Transmission Panel

On August 6th, 2020, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund held a virtual forum on the role of energy transmission in New York’s plans to expand offshore wind power. The event was co-hosted with Anbaric Development Partners and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School an

Recap: Westchester Clean Energy Summit

On March 5th, 2020, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Sustainable Westchester, and Pace Energy & Climate Center co-hosted the Westchester Clean Energy Summit. The Summit focused on the future of clean energy in Westchester. Panelists from local and state government, academia, and business spoke about New York State

Recap: Western NY Health and Wind Energy Forum

On November 21st, 2019, the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) co-hosted a forum with the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, New Yorkers for Clean Power, and the Union of Concerned Scientists on health and wind energy at the University at Buffalo. The goal of the forum was to provide attendees wit

Our Forum on Coastal Resiliency on Long Island

On Monday, December 9th, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) and Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) hosted an educational forum on coastal resiliency strategies. Our panel of experts discussed the benefits and challenges of implementing natu

NYLCVEF Co-Hosts Forum on New York’s Climate Law

Last month, we joined Columbia Law School, The Earth Institute, and Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell to host a policy forum on implementing the landmark Climate Leadership and Communit

Forum Recap: Organic Waste & Biogas

On Thursday, June 20th, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) and Energy Vision hosted an educational forum on organic waste and biogas. Two panels of experts discussed the benefits of using food waste and waste from sewage treatment plants to produce biogas, or renewable natural gas.

The Need for Electric School Buses

School buses are the largest form of mass transit in the United States, and they desperately need an upgrade. Emissions from diesel school buses are linked to asthma, chronic respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, cancers, and even higher mortality rates. No one should have to breathe in dangerous pollutants while riding the bus, especially w

Siting Renewable Energy in New York

We are seeking sponsorships to support an exciting new potential program. With enough support, we will convene key stakeholders for a series of roundtable discussions in Westchester, the Capital Region, Long Island, Hudson Valley, and Buffalo/Niagara on overcoming the barriers to siting renewable energy in New York. View our sponsorship package

Green Infrastructure in the Delaware River Watershed

This policy forum focused on the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green infrastructure (GI) as an approach to managing stormwater. We brought together expert speakers and panelists to provide an overview of green infrastructure vs. traditional gray approaches and how it can be used to protect and restore water quality in the Delaw

Electric Vehicles in Westchester

On April 27, 2018, together with our partners at Sustainable Westchester, we hosted

Getting NYC to 80×50 Series: Summer 2017

In September 2014, Mayor de Blasio announced an aggressive carbon reduction goal for New York City to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 2005 levels by 2050. In order to address some of the key topics and major challenges to reaching these goals, NYLCVEF hosted a 4-part forum series this summer to address the 80x50 targets in the secto

Green Infrastructure in the Capital Region

On February 1st, 2017, the NYLCV Education Fund hosted a forum on the topic of green infrastructure in the Capital Region. The forum featured two panel discussions of policymakers and green infrastructure experts from around the state, including representatives from the Capital District Regional

Green Infrastructure in the Buffalo-Niagara Region

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On Tuesday, October 11th, top environmental experts ranging from leaders in academia, policy, green infrastructure, and community-based organizations held a policy forum at the Buffalo History Museum, the focus of the discussion focused on green infrastructure in the Buffalo-Niagara Region.  The forum was held in a two-panel discussion, both wi

Greening NYC’s Affordable Housing

New York City has made ambitious commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050 and to build or preserve 200,000 units of affordable housing in ten years. Buildings account for roughly 70 percent of our emissions but affordable housing building owners and developers face a number of obstacles and policy challenges to making th

Dig Deep for a Greener New York City: Fall 2014

Throughout the fall of 2014, NYLCVEF brought together experts from different industries to discuss three big ways New York City can mitigate flooding, improve green space, and reduce waste. Our Dig Deep for a Greener New York policy forum series focused on Green Infrastructure, Funding an Equitable Park System, and Organic Waste and Compo

Nitrogen Pollution on Long Island

Excess levels of nitrogen plaguing Long Island waterways has resulted in several mass fish kills, shellfish losses, harmful algal blooms, wetlands destruction, and more. Earlier this week, NYLCVEF hosted a forum at Stony Brook University to discuss this issue that has been over 45 years in the making. Scientists, politicians, and environmentalis

Building Blocks for Energy Efficient Homes

Though retrofitting buildings can help to save energy, many homeowners do not know how to go about making their homes more energy efficient and may be concerned about the associated costs. However, 'greening' a home can also have the benefit of increasing its market value, once homeowners know where to start. On June 5, 2013, NYLCVEF co-hosted a

Powering the Future Policy Forum Series 2008 – 2009

In 2008 NYLCVEF launched its "Powering the Future" campaign. Our goal was to host a series of policy forums aimed at breaking through the clutter surrounding energy policy and providing policy makers and the general public with an unbiased and neutral arena to discuss these critical issues. Partnering with NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School

Wasted Opportunity: Confronting NYC’s Solid Waste Challenges

Did you know that New York City ships 10,500 tons of residential waste to out-of-state landfills every day? That adds up to nearly 27 million miles a year -- all on large, long-haul trucks that spew massive amounts of climate-warming emissions into our air. New York City is lagging behind other major cities in the adoption of new

Who Is the Greenest of Them All?

New York State officials applauded the 2012 legislative session as one of the most productive in history. But what got done for the environment? NYLCVEF and our environmental partner organizations joined together to answer that question at a panel discussion held in New York City. Called "Who is the Greenest of them All?" the discussion

What Is an Urban Park, Anyway?

Some of the most pressing questions regarding urban parks address how our urban environments can incorporate nature and how these parks can promote community. NYLCVEF's symposium "What is an Urban Park, Anyway?" cohosted with the Yonkers Committee for Smart Development and

From the Citizen’s Toolkit

On Tuesday, November 8th, voters on the East End of Long Island had an important environmental decision to make on their ballots: whether or not to extend the Community Preservation Fund (CPF) in the five East End towns.

Each year, NYLCV and the NYLCV Education Fund work closely with New York’s leading environmental, public health, conservation, energy, environmental justice, and transportation organizations to identify the state’s most pressing priorities on fighting climate change, conserving land and water, and protecting public health. The result of that effort is our 2017 New York State legislative…

Water issues might not be making as many headlines anymore, but even if your local supply hasn’t made it to the news, you might remain at risk without knowing it. Given the number of contaminants that can make their way into shared or even private wells, you’ll need to make sure your drinking water stays…

The summer heat means more sweat, and by extension more loads of laundry to do. However there a variety of practices other than re-wearing your sweaty gym clothes that can make your laundry practices more sustainable. Wash with Cold Water Studies show that 75% of the total energy-use and carbon emissions associated with your laundry…

Eating locally is easy in the summer, when farm stands seem to be overflowing with fresh fruits, veggies, and leafy greens, so now is the best time to build a seasonal eating habit. Here are some more tips to help you green your diet:

The New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund is pleased to present this 2017 Green Guide as a resource for all candidates running for public office in New York City. This document, released at our Environmental Candidate School, is a one-stop-shop for candidates to learn about new opportunities and approaches to persistent sustainability problems….

Temperatures are finally starting to drop, and we’re welcoming the crisp autumn air. One of the best ways to fully appreciate and experience the beauty of it is to spend time in one of New York State’s parks. Boasting some of the most beautiful nature in America, New York is home to over 200 state…

With travel, gift giving, and many big meals, the winter holidays are one of the times of the year with the highest rates of personal consumption. Because of this heightened consumption rate, the holidays  are the time when being conscious of sustainable practices will have the greatest total impact. Here are some holiday practices you can take to generate an impact, and others that can help foster a sense of love and consciousness toward the environment.

Are you planning on starting 2018 off with the ever-popular goal of working out more often? If so, we have some tips to help you burn calories while staying environmentally friendly. Working out offers countless benefits to the mind and body, but if you’re not careful, it can cause a detriment to your ecological footprint….

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