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Forum Recap: New School Year, Same Dirty Buses

NYLCVEF Holds Policy Forum on Electric School Buses

On Monday, September 24th, we held a policy forum as part of our Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign for electric school buses in environmental justice communities. Panelists discussed the impacts of diesel pollution and pathways towards transitioning to an electric school bus fleet. You can read the background paper for the forum here.

In New York State, 2 million children are exposed to emissions on their bus rides to school. Emissions from diesel exhaust cause adverse health impacts on children, which include asthma and even some cancers. These risks are even higher for low income and communities of color who already bear a higher burden of exposure to air pollution.

The first panel included Peggy Shepard of We Act for Environmental Justice, Kevin Cromar of the NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management, Adam Armstrong of Resilient Red Hook and Matt Casale of the US Public Interest Research Group. They began their discussion by focusing on the environmental impacts of New York’s current school bus system. Since transportation is the only sector in the nation that is contributing more emissions to the environment every year and old trucks and buses are the largest contributors to diesel pollution, electrifying school buses would make an impact on these emissions and protect children’s health. Panelists pointed out that due to the general inefficiencies and undependability of New York City’s school buses, children spend long periods of time exposed to these emissions.

The panelists then turned their discussion to the environmental justice (EJ) impacts of diesel pollution. These neighborhoods already share a disproportionate amount of the pollution, making the risks such as stunting lung growth and never reaching full lung capacity higher for children in these communities. Moreover, the majority of students who ride the school bus in NYC are children with disabilities. This makes electrification of school buses even more crucial.

The conversation moved towards how electrifying these buses creates immense long-term benefits. The panelists worked to dispel the rumors that electric school buses are more costly and less powerful. Although initially, the price of an electric bus is more expensive than a diesel bus, they require less maintenance and will last longer, saving money for school districts in the long run. Some engines can cover a 155-mile route on a single charge, which would cover most school bus routes. Additionally, school buses do not run in the middle of the day and at night, allowing them time to charge.

There are states where the electric school bus model has been successful. Schools across the country, Sacramento as an example, have already begun to use these electric school buses and they have returned with 70%- 80% of their battery still charged. In some cases, such as in White Plains, NY, energy in the batteries can be sold back into the grid when there is a high electricity demand – generating up to $6,000 in revenue annually to mitigate costs of initial investments.

Earlier this month, Governor Cuomo announced that 40% of the $127 million funding New York was given as a result of the Volkswagen Settlement will be earmarked towards buses. As part of this plan, the DEC is prioritizing EJ communities and has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 130,000 tons.

Each of the panelists agreed that advocacy plays a huge role in the push for this change, especially from parents of children who are riding these buses.

The second part of the forum focused on pathways towards electrification. Zachary Lerner of ALIGN NY spoke about a worker-owned cooperative for electric buses with a board that consists of the drivers, workers, parents, and experts in transportation to create a more efficient system. When workers and parents have a say in their company’s decisions, they are more likely to make environmentally-sound choices.

Tevin C.S. Grant of the Electric School Bus Campaign discussed the need for pilot programs to kickstart the movement for electric buses. The technology for change is available, and soon every bus manufacturer will all have an electric model. Numerous case studies have proven that the investment pays off financially, and the levels of emission reduction would be monumental.

NYLCVEF will continue to promote and advocate for electrification of our school bus fleets and encourage New Yorkers to become involved in the movement towards our goal. Learn more about the campaign here.

Green Tips: Eco-friendly Funerals

While death may not be the most pleasant topic to think about, it’s important to consider how your final farewell may impact the environment. The New York Times published an article on green funerals earlier this year, so we thought we’d pass this information onto you.

Each year over one million pounds of metal and concrete is used to preserve the dead; one cremation could use about 2 SUV tanks’ worth of fuel. The amount of wood used in cremations would cover the whole of New Jersey.

Embalming chemicals and transportation fumes also impact the environment. Cremation facilities create mercury and carbon dioxide in large quantities. Cemeteries actually consume fertilizers and huge amounts of water.

So how do you make the best decision regarding end-of-life planning for you or a loved one? Here are some tips for reducing your funeral footprint:

Host an evening “Returning to Earth” get-together. Invite friends and family for conversations about facing death. You may be surprised by the number of people who think about this topic. Having these conversations together may alleviate some of the dread associated with it.

Consider not embalming the body. Embalming involves the use of chemicals, including formaldehyde, which are harmful to the environment. The myth that embalming can help preserve the beauty of the body has no truth to it. The temperature and the final resting place have more to do with decomposition than the embalming process. If you are interested in preserving the body for a short period of time, ask the funeral home whether the body can be refrigerated.

Consider an alternate container to the ornate casket. Approximately 90,000 tons of steel are used annually in the US to make caskets. Steel production consumes a large amount of energy and also emits harmful greenhouse gases. Consider using a bamboo, wicker, or willow casket instead. Find information on natural caskets here and here.

A coffin is not mandatory. A natural burial, in which the body is placed in the earth with no coffin, is considered the greenest burial option. Consider eliminating a coffin entirely and burying the body in the natural soil using biodegradable shrouds. This allows the body to decompose and mingle with the earth.

Consider a bicycle hearse. The transportation sector is the state’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and is responsible for more than 25% of emissions nationwide. We are aware of one funeral home offers a bicycle hearse to bring loved ones to their final resting place.

Opt for green burial grounds or cemeteries. Green burial grounds are often found near national parks or natural forest areas. These grounds are managed in a way that reduces impact to the environment. Find a list of eco-friendly cemeteries here and here.

Consider a home burial. In New York, a family can choose to bypass funeral home services altogether and dig a small burial ground to bury a loved one.

Cremation vs. burial. Cremation is considered to be less detrimental to the environment than traditional burials because the process uses fewer natural resources. Cremations don’t require vast amounts of land, coffins, and don’t leave behind harmful chemicals used in embalming. Biodegradable cremation urns are also available. It is important to note that traditional cremations still do burn some fossil fuels and release harmful gases like carbon monoxide into the environment.

Consider a bio-cremation. As green burials are more viable for the environment, so are bio-cremations, which involves the submerging of the body in water to dissolve most of the body. Metal implants like dental fillings or screws used in knee replacements do not dissolve. This method is considered to be the most eco-friendly and is already legal in 16 states in the U.S.

Green Tips: Caring for endangered birds

One hundred and forty-five animals are protected in New York under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Amongst these, there are 39 bird species that are either endangered, threatened, or under special concern, including the bald eagle, short-eared owl, and osprey. This decline is caused mainly by habitat loss and a decreased food supply. Pesticides and hunting have also contributed to the population declines.

The ESA is a federal law that was enacted in 1973 to protect animals from extinction. The law prohibits importation, exportation, possession, sales, and transportation of any protected species, enforced through civil and criminal penalties.

Birds help provide pest control, disperse seeds, and often work as prey for other animals. If the population of any bird species rapidly declines, it hurts the population of its predators, hurting the population of their predators, and so on. Follow these tips to learn how you can protect endangered birds.

Use reusable bags. A study by Ocean Crusaders found that it takes just 4 family shopping trips to accumulate 60 shopping bags and 1 million seabirds are killed by plastic bags each year. When going to the supermarket or going to a store, avoid disposable plastic bags and instead bring your own reusable bags.

Protect birds from windows. Another large cause of bird deaths is window collisions. According to the Washington Post, 988 million birds die each year from these window collisions all over the US. Put up curtains or window decals in order to prevent bird injury or death.

Protect bird habitats. Birds need a place to live so helping to restore their habitats by participating in a forest cleanup is helpful to both the environment and the bird populations. Thirteen million hectares of forest have been converted for other uses or destroyed by natural causes; that number gets bigger every day. After they’re cleaned-up, forests are more likely to get used which can ensure its protection. As of now, only 10% of forests are officially protected. Without these vital habitats, bird populations are declining. Read our tips on how to organize your own clean-up.

Set up a bird habitat in your backyard. By installing a birdbath or a feeder, you can provide a healthy and clean source of food and water for birds. This “sanctuary” will help with mating and can lead to repopulation of a decreasing species. Click here to learn more about how to make your own backyard habitat.

Be proactive in government outreach. Reach out to your local Congressmember and ask them to support local bird populations and the environment. Some bills already in place to protect birds include the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Migratory Bird Hunting & Conservation Stamp Act, and Bald & Gold Eagle Protection Act. Learn more about federal environmental legislation here.

Green Tips: How to organize a community cleanup

As of 2012, New Yorkers produced on average almost 3 pounds of trash per person per day. Often, the immense amount of trash we generate ends up not in our landfills but in our streets, parks, and beaches. Whether you live in urban or rural NY, you’ve likely seen and perhaps contributed to local litter. Community cleanups or trash pickup events join neighbors in performing a public service and maintaining their neighborhoods. Many local environmental groups organize day-long cleanup events to invite the public into their ongoing conservation campaigns. In addition to attending these events, organizing your own is a great way to support and engage your community in protecting the environment!

You can follow the steps to organize your own community cleanup event (for more information, read the Let’s Pick It Up New York! guide from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation).

Assemble a team. Gather your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and co-workers to join the cleanup effort. Encourage them to reach out to their own social circles to expand your base. Invite local institutions and community groups to organize and turn out their members. Find more information on assembling a strong volunteer team here.

Partner with community organizations. Groups experienced in conducting cleanups may be helpful organizing partners. Try to engage local environmental and conservation groups in your community cleanup.

Pick a cleanup site. Determine a site in need of environmental maintenance. Most publicly accessible areas will incur litter that you can help eliminate. Such areas may include parks, beaches, streets, playgrounds, and school campuses. Remember that you may need to obtain a permit to host your event (check with the appropriate government department in your area).

Gather your materials. If you don’t already have them in your house, standard cleanup materials can be found in almost any supermarket. You will likely need:

Volunteers
Garbage bags (make sure to have both Landfill and Recycling bags)
Heavy-duty gloves
Trash Pickers & Grabbers
T-shirts or old clothing (outfits you don’t mind getting dirty)

Share the event information. After setting the date, time, and location for your community cleanup, make an online page promoting the event. You can also distribute and post notices of the cleanup in the weeks beforehand, as well as inform local media outlets and community newsletters of your plans.

Green Tips: How to Build an Eco-friendly Bath & Beauty Routine

Many of us have a standard bath and beauty routine. What we may not realize is that the cosmetics, skin and hair care products we have grown accustomed to using may incur immense environmental damages.

Producing cheap or conflict palm oil for use in beauty products often involves systematic degradation of human rights and the environment. The World Wildlife Foundation reports that “up to 300 football fields of forest are cleared every hour to make room for palm plantations.” This massive deforestation campaign not only depletes natural carbon reservoirs, accelerating global warming, but also eliminates biodiversity and undermines the survival of species — namely, the orangutan — due to widespread habitat loss.

Our use of everyday bath and beauty products can fuel ecological destruction or, if we make the right adjustments, help pave the way toward a more sustainable future. Follow these tips to become a more eco-conscious consumer.

Use DIY alternatives for store-bought products. Making your own beauty and bath products at home can save money and help conserve natural resources without consuming too much time. Check out these online recipes for DIY facial scrubs, butters, and oils.

Choose reusable alternatives for everyday bath and beauty products. Swap out plastic products for metal and rubber ones. Sustainable alternatives include metal razors, fabric shower caps, cotton make-up remover pads, and refillable liquid containers. When shopping, look for products with official ecolabels and sustainability certifications.

Read the ingredients. Always read labels to avoid products with environmentally-taxing ingredients. Check out the World Wildlife Foundation’s list of everyday products that contain palm oil to determine what alternatives you should seek. You can also break your reliance on conflict palm oil with the 28 Day Palm Oil Challenge (review the challenge guidelines under the “Bathroom” category to find conflict palm oil-free DIY recipes and shopping recommendations). When buying products with palm oil, look for RSPO and Green Palm labels, which indicate support for the development of a more sustainable and just palm oil industry. Additionally, beware of other types of oil that may contain pesticides made from harmful agrochemicals.

Support eco-conscious brands and stores. Organic and all-natural products can benefit both the planet and your personal health. Seek out eco-friendly hair and skin care lines like those from Burt’s Bees in local drug and health stores. Research brands ahead of time to see if they are B Corporation-certified, follow sustainability models such as the Future Fit Business Benchmark, serve on green business councils, partner with environmental organizations, and/or have clear independent commitments to minimizing or eliminating any harmful environmental impacts of their business (for a good example, check out The Body Shop’s “Enrich Not Exploit” manifesto).

Understand product packaging. Avoid plastic packaging when possible; instead, look for products that come unpackaged, packaged in recycled material, or packaged in recyclable and reusable materials such as standard cardboard, paper, and glass. When buying products in plastic bottles, such as shampoos and conditioners, look for plastics that are easier to recycle by interpreting their numerical label. Note that #1 (PETE) and #2 (HDPE) plastics are the most commonly recyclable. Follow this Plastics by the Numbers guide for more information on plastics’ potential for recycle and reuse (also review this helpful article on plastic recycling codes). You should also check whether plastic packaging materials are free of toxins like BPA.

Buy in-person instead of online. Shop for your bath and beauty products locally rather than on the Internet to avoid the energy expenditure, carbon emissions, and excess waste of shipping.

Green Tips: Use Your Art to Support the Climate Movement

The science on climate change is clear: 97% or more of actively-publishing climate scientists agree that human activity is accelerating global warming. However, citing record-breaking heat and rising sea levels is rarely enough to convince climate change-skeptics of reality. In 2005, the prominent environmentalist and author Bill McKibben wrote an op-ed on the importance of artistic engagement in the climate movement. For McKibben, art had a unique capacity for emotional impact lacking in scientific and technical terms articulating the dangers of climate change: “We can register what is happening with satellites and scientific instruments but can we register it in our imaginations, the most sensitive of all our devices?”

Art has long been a force for positive change and a central part of social justice movements. Now, art is playing an essential role in conveying the ecological, social, and economic repercussions of climate change, as well as in building support for the climate movement.

Using these tips, you can channel your artistic skills toward demanding action on climate change…

Take inspiration from successful climate artists. Read about jaw-dropping climate change art like Murray Frederick’s Vanity, a photographic series documenting the placement of mirrors in landscapes from the Lake Eyre salt flats, and teenager Kallan Benson’s butterfly project, a giant parachute with the central image of a monarch butterfly surrounded by signatures and personal messages from thousands of kids representing Generation Z’s call for climate action. Follow blog posts from Artists & Climate Change to hear about the latest innovations in climate-related art, such as the 7-meter boat made out of recycled plastic as part of a pro-recycling and plastic waste reduction initiative called the Flipflopi Project.

Attend a climate-inspired showcase or performance. Climate artists put on various events — exhibitions, performances, music festivals and more. Check out Arctic Cycle’s events that feature guest speakers, work sessions and group exercises.

Participate in a climate art-build. People’s Climate Movement and its partners are holding several art-builds across New York City in preparation for their national Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice Action this month. People’s Puppets will host Rise several art-builds in Gowanus, Brooklyn. If there isn’t a climate art-build planned in your area, you can organize your own! Identify a space, set the time and date, gather some household materials, and assemble a committed team of family, friends, co-workers, and community members to create artwork together either in preparation for a specific event or in general support of the climate movement.

Make your own banners and signs. Take a look at some of the best sign ideas from past People’s Climate Marches to get inspiration for clever slogans and powerful images. Consider what compels you about the climate movement and translate your passion into a visual representation. You can use simple materials like permanent markers and cardboard. Check out these additional tips for making the best protest sign.

Use the Internet to your advantage. Make a social media account dedicated to your climate-related artwork (see scientist and artist Jill Pelto’s @GlaciogenicArt for an example). Pair your art with popular hashtags like #actonclimate to amplify your message. Or, make a Youtube channel to produce and publish videos encouraging people to get involved in the climate movement; find examples of mobilizing videos from major environmental organizations 350.org, Greenpeace, and The Years Project.

Put together a climate-inspired playlist. More musicians are taking up their instruments in the hopes of amplifying the demand for climate action. Peruse online suggestions for the climate-inspired music and share out your favorites. Or, compose your own climate music!

Turn your belongings into climate action ambassadors. Add climate action pins and stickers to book bags, purses, and wallets. Buy climate-creative alternatives to regular products, such as Endangered Species Condoms.

Green Tips: Back-to-School Edition

September is approaching and it’s time to start thinking about how you can kick off this school year in the most sustainable way possible. We have put together some tips to help make this school year the greenest yet.

Transportation. To help reduce emissions, avoid driving your child to school when possible. If the school is close by, walk or bike with your child. While diesel school buses are dirty for the air and our health, taking mass transit is always a better idea than driving privately. Another option is to set up a car-pooling system with other parents in the neighborhood.

Idling in your car outside of a school can also be a major source of air pollution. When many parents do this at once, it creates fumes that children walk through and inhale as they arrive and leave school. Prevent idling by parking and meeting your child at the door.

Lunch: While switching from a disposable lunch bag to something reusable is a great start, you don’t have to stop there. Look for a lunch box made of recycled materials, like sustainable and fairly-traded fabrics. Use a reusable wrapper for your child’s sandwiches to avoid single-use plastic waste. Try to pack locally sourced fruits and vegetables in your child’s lunchbox.

Clothing: The clothing industry is the second largest polluter in the world after oil. Since kids can grow out of clothing quickly, it is often necessary to purchase new clothes before every school year. Buy clothing from thrift stores or flea markets to avoid this unnecessary waste. When you do have to purchase new clothing, avoid stores that use toxic dyes and synthetic fabrics. Some websites, such as Schoola and Thred Up, allow you to easily purchase second-hand clothes online.

School Supplies: When shopping for school supplies, always do an inventory of what you already have before you go to the store. If you have pencils laying around your house, you may be able to save money and reduce waste by not purchasing a new pack. Many vendors now carry supplies that are made from recycled materials. The Ultimate Green Store makes it easy to buy green school supplies from laptop cases to ice packs.

If your child needs to purchase textbooks, try to buy used books. Not only is it cheaper than buying new, but it can also save trees. According to the Environmental Paper Network, if the U.S. reduced its paper use by 10% per year, we would save enough energy to power 228,000 homes, and 11 billion gallons of water.

Green Tips: Sustainable Clothing

Style that’s sustainable!

Although we may not often consider how what we wear impacts the planet, the clothing and textiles industry makes an immense contribution to global warming. A 2017 report put the total greenhouse gas emissions from textiles production at 1.2 billion tons per year, “more than those of all international flights and maritime shipping combined.” This startling level of climate pollution is fueled by the manufacturing and exportation of cheap garments — a.k.a. the fast fashion industry.

As public recognition of the connection between our outfits and our carbon footprint grows, it’s up to us to go on the hunt for a more climate-conscious style. Here are some tips to get you started.

Get thrifty. Now a trendy alternative to name-brand fashion, thrift shops offer an opportunity to fill your wardrobe with in-style looks while sparing your wallet and the planet. Thrift stores are located across New York City. If you can’t seem to make it to one in-person, check out online thrift networks such as Thred Up.

Avoid fast fashion. Seek out durable wear. Buying fewer, higher-quality pieces is more eco-friendly than constantly buying cheaper clothing, and it can actually be more cost-effective in the long-term. Thrifting is one of the easiest ways to do this, since second-hand items have a longer lifetime. You should also look for items you can wear through multiple seasons, rather than buying from the New Arrivals rack and pursuing short-term fashion trends.

Buy local. As with buying food, it’s best to go local with your garments. Try to avoid ordering clothing online, which incurs the additional energy expenditure of transportation. Instead, support local clothing outlets — especially small shops and thrift stores — and take advantage of online reservation services to do pick-up instead of delivery.

Ditch dirty fabrics. The production of synthetic materials like polyester requires heavy use of fossil fuels and crude oil. Look for clothing made from organic materials and eco-friendly fabrics such as hemp, soy silk, cashmere, organic cotton, and linen.

Recycle old clothing. Donate old garments to clothing drives and charitable organizations such as Housing Works. You can also drop your unwanted clothing and textiles off at a Greenmarket Clothing Collection to be collected, sorted, recycled, and repurposed into new products. Or bring your old clothing to a Stop N’ Swap community reuse event — you can return home with new second-hand goods!

Join refashionNYC. Commercial and residential buildings in NYC can enroll to receive a refashionNYC bin to recycle unwanted garments with city-facilitated collection.

Check your brands. If you’re buying name-brand clothing, use online tests and rankings to measure and compare their level of environmental sustainability. Review brand websites to read up on corporate practices and see if they have any eco-friendly endorsements.

For more resources, check out our partner and Director of Green Inside and Out, Beth Fileni’s book, The Green Wardrobe Guide. Major fashion publications have also shared recommendations for sustainable shopping.

Green Tips: Summertime Edition

During these hot days of summer, many of us crank up the air conditioning, get in the car for a road trip, take a boat ride, or buy disposal products for cookouts and parties. While these are great summer activities, they can take a toll on the environment and contribute to our greenhouse gas emissions. But you can make these last days of summer a little greener by following some of our tips below.

Always remember to set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. Make sure your air conditioning thermostat is set to 78 degrees or higher while at home. Not only will you decrease your emissions, you’ll also save money on your utility bills. Raising your thermostat higher than even 78 degrees will save you 6 – 8% on your electric bill per every degree. Turn off your air conditioner while you’re away from home to avoid an unnecessary drain on resources. If you can, use ceiling fans or standing fans instead of your air conditioner.

Always carry a reusable water bottle. It’s easy to get dehydrated during these hot summer months. Instead of spending $1 or more on a plastic disposable water bottle, make sure to carry and keep refilling a reusable one. About 50 billion plastic water bottles are used each year, and about 80% of those will end up in a landfill. You can make a difference with a reusable bottle and by encouraging others to do so as well.

Use biodegradable sunscreens. Between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen is washed off of swimmers and onto coral reefs each year. Additional sunscreen pollutants can reach the ocean due to wastewater in coastal locations. When you shower and wash off your sunscreen, the chemicals seep into the sewer, which is treated with chemicals before that waste is pumped back into lakes and oceans. Seventy-five percent of the world’s coral reefs are at risk because of this increase of contaminants and human disturbance on our ecosystems.

Consider buying biodegradable sunscreens like Badger or Stream2Sea to protect the surrounding ecosystem while preventing sunburns.

Choose a green mode of transportation. Try carpooling with friends instead of driving alone. If carpooling isn’t an option, hop on public transportation, take a walk, or go for a bike ride. Here are more tips on environmentally-friendly transportation options.

Book a greener resort. All-inclusive resorts provide travelers with a surplus of food and drinks, resulting in a greater strain on resources and large amounts of food waste. Vacationers at all-inclusive resorts consume significantly more food and energy than the average local. Consider spending more time in the local community or opting for a more eco-friendly resort. Be conscious of how much you consume and throw away. Examples of eco-friendly resorts and hotels can be found here and here.

Leave no trace. Use your free time this summer to help with a beach or river cleanup. Check with our partners Choose Clean Water Coalition and Delaware River Watershed Initiative for possible river cleanup events throughout the year. You can also pick up trash wherever you see it while on a hike, on the beach, during a picnic, or as you’re walking down the street. Make sure to leave the place you’re visiting better than when you found it.

Whatever you choose to do in these last few weeks of summer, make sure you consider its impact on the environment and enjoy!

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