On July 8, Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul, and the MTA released Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service, an action plan to modernize and speed up NYC’s bus system. From green-lighting stalled bus projects to all-door boarding upgrades, this area of public transit is finally getting the attention it deserves. Investing in our bus system is vital for both quality of life since it helps residents get to where they need to go faster, as well as environmental interests.
Instead of travelling by car, commuting by bus means lower carbon emissions, less air pollution, and a reduction in traffic congestion. Improving our bus system is also an environmental justice issue; as the report notes, people of color make up 75% of commuters who use the bus. By committing $254 million in expense funding and $628 million in capital funding over five fiscal years to carry out the plan, NYLCV is excited for the implementation of this plan.
Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat from the Sun in the Earth’s atmosphere. By allowing sunlight to pass through, but absorbing the infrared heat radiating from the planet, they drive the “greenhouse” effect. The greenhouse effect is both a natural process where atmospheric gases trap heat from the Sun, keeping the Earth warm enough to support life and one driven by human activity. Human activities—like burning fossil fuels, agricultural processes and deforestation—have intensified the natural process by adding excess gases to the atmosphere. This buildup causes the atmospheric “blanket” to become thicker, trapping more heat than the planet naturally releases. This phenomenon is the direct cause of modern global warming.
From keeping the lights on to cooling and heating our homes, every part of New York’s clean energy transition depends on replacing fossil fuels with cleaner, more efficient technologies. Heat pumps are one of the most important – and often misunderstood – tools in that effort. As more New Yorkers consider making the switch, here’s…
By Mia Fitzloff It’s Plastic-Free July, which means it’s time to shine a light on – and take action to address – the growing impacts of single-use plastics on our planet. Each year, 430 million tons of plastic are produced, and every piece ever made still exists today. This plastic sits in landfills, pollutes our…
By Mark Tausig Discussions of climate change often refer to phenomena such as global warming and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Ever wonder how we measure such things? How do we know that the global temperature has increased? How do we measure greenhouse gas amounts? What about decarbonization, tree canopies, auto and truck emissions, sea-level rise,…
As the weather is warming up, the sun-fueled fun of summer makes it one of the most anticipated seasons of the year. As you get ready for longer days and warmer nights, there are many ways to reduce your environmental impact to ensure you have an eco-friendly yet exciting summer.
By Noor Malik “Transportation and buildings are among the two largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City. If we’re going to be serious about fighting climate change, we need solutions that address more than one sector at a time.” — Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund If…
All New Yorkers deserve safe passage to lead pipe removal that is quick, cost-effective, and equitable. The federal mandate is clear; water systems must remove all lead pipes by 2037. The question remains: will the governor and state legislature help communities meet this moment by providing the policies and public dollars to solve this problem?
As policymakers and property owners search for practical solutions to reduce New York City’s carbon emissions, office-to-residential conversions are emerging as an unexpected environmental win alongside their economic and housing benefits. So we decided to check out the environmental impact is of these increasingly popular conversions.
