Citizen's Toolkit

Our mission is to educate New Yorkers and help them become engaged and empowered advocates for the environment. The resources listed here can help you learn about environmental issues across the state and take advantage of the ways you can protect environment in your personal life and by getting involved in policy and political processes at the local and state levels. From contacting your representatives to the appropriate avenues to report environmental hazards to how to register to vote, these pages can help you protect the interests that are most important to you. As part of the Citizen’s Toolkit, we also provide weekly “Green Tips” so that you can make sustainable lifestyle choices. In the fight against climate change, every little effort can help to reduce carbon emissions and protect our planet from the worst.

We welcomed Jessica Wang from World Resources Institute and Ian Fried from CalStart to explore the future of clean school transportation and to discuss the benefits of electric school buses, from reducing emissions to fostering a sustainable learning environment.

As part of our ongoing series of webinars and in-person events on the IRA, NYLCVEF President Julie Tighe and federal campaigns manager Matt Salton recently joined with New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey for an informational webinar to share details about the IRA and how households and our communities can benefit.

By Peter Aronson While a school bus’s roaring ignition and noxious gasoline smell may bring a wisp of nostalgia to some of us, it comes at a steep cost in the form of emergency room visits, school absenteeism, and an overheating planet. The state’s fiscal year 2023 budget, passed in April 2022, established New York…

As New York transitions to electrifying its transportation and buildings sectors, we must consider grid readiness and infrastructure resiliency. This event featured a panel of cross-sector experts who discussed our transmission infrastructure needs. They addressed what they’re currently doing to achieve New York City’s clean energy goals, and more.

By Alexis Hidalgo The Save Our Compost coalition held a press conference and rally at City Hall Park on Wednesday to advocate for community composting. Aligning forces with over a dozen council members, we advocated passionately for Mayor Adams and the Department of Sanitation to reinstate vital funding. Under proposed budget cuts, community compost organizations…

As the New York state parks system prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024, it’s worthwhile to continuously remind ourselves that the state has one of the best public park systems in the world, open to all.

The growth of offshore wind infrastructure, an affordable renewable energy source which harnesses power from ocean winds, is leading the path towards a future of green electricity in New York.  [Register for “Why Wind Works,”  a Lunch and Learn presented by NYLCVEF and Citizens Campaign for the Environment on November 30 at noon.] Offshore wind…

After a year when the climate crisis arrived at our doorstep in the form of apocalyptic hazy orange skies and devastating floods, this year’s story about holiday green shopping tips comes with a dose of climate optimism from a lead author on Congress’ Fifth National Climate Assessment.

Election season is upon us and Our Vote is Our Power! Early voting for the general election begins on Saturday, October 28, and runs through Sunday, November 5, with Election Day on Tuesday, November 7. In the fight against climate change, every election is crucial. 

There is no shortage of environmental podcasts out there. In this Green Tips, we recommend some of our favorites.

There is no better way to start a new year and a new decade than with outdoor activities. Getting fresh air is incredibly important for your mental and physical health, so be sure to bundle up and head outside this winter. About 20% of Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) which typically occurs in…

As we ring in the new year, why not kick it off with the environment in mind? Changing a few things in your daily routine can reduce your environmental footprint and may inspire friends to do the same! Read our Green New Year Resolution ideas and see which ones you want to incorporate (or do them all!).

The holiday season is in full swing! There is usually a lot of planning that goes into holiday gatherings, including parties, religious ceremonies, or small get-togethers. Follow our tips for hosting a more environmentally-friendly yet fun holiday gathering this year.

The holiday season usually coincides with an increase in travel across the nation. Last year, it was forecast that one-third of Americans would travel during the holiday season. If you plan on traveling, consider your environmental impact while planning your trip. Read on for our green tips about travel this holiday season.

The holiday season is here! With all of the shopping comes the potential for quite a lot of waste. This year, consider the ways that you can cut down on this waste by changing your shopping habits.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Let’s give thanks to the Earth by making this year’s holiday season America’s greenest one yet! Follow our tips below for a more planet-friendly Thanksgiving and be on the look-out for more holiday green tips in the coming weeks.

We teamed up with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, Cooper Square Committee, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice to draft a report on exposure to lead poisoning. The report, titled Collecting Dust, shows that there are gaps in the enforcement of laws that protect against lead dust exposure.

Being at college is a great time to learn about ways you can go green and incorporate eco-friendly behaviors into your daily routine. Read through some of our Green Tips to help you get started.

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