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.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, we are offering tips on how best to shop for family and friends, while also giving back to the environment. A good way to do this, as we move collectively towards a more sustainable and equitable future, is to consider the carbon footprint of whatever you are thinking of buying.

Following the historic announcement by the federal Environmental Protection Agency of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, a member of the NYC Coalition to End Lead Poisoning, released an interactive map and a comprehensive report to help New York City residents determine if the building they…

At the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF), we believe in the power of voting. Voting is more than just casting a ballot; it’s an act of hope and a commitment to shaping the world around us. During the 2024 election, through our largest voter awareness campaign yet, Our Vote is Our…

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Check out our tips below to find out how to make this holiday season more eco-friendly. Travel smart  Not surprising, Thanksgiving travel has a larger carbon footprint than the dinner itself. If you have to travel for Thanksgiving, try to avoid using your gas-powered car for long trips: try…

New York City, trying to tackle its significant lead pipe problem, has announced it is expanding an existing program to replace lead service lines at no cost in targeted low-income and environmental justice areas of the city. Last month, Mayor Eric Adams announced a $48 million effort to replace privately-owned lead service lines in the…

The updated Lead and Copper Rules issued by the EPA also requires increased communication about the risks families face as well as more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold for communities to take action. The EPA also announced $2.6 billion in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

National Drive Electric Week comes at an important time in our effort to drastically increase the number of electric vehicles on the road. We hope that the annual event, running from September 27 to October 6, with scores of events planned nationwide, in every state except Georgia and North Dakota, will spark plug everyone’s interest in going electric.

By Peter Aronson Providing clean drinking water for New York State’s 19 million residents is of paramount concern for New York state officials. It is a complex process, given that 95 percent of all New Yorkers receive their drinking water from almost 9,000 different public water systems in the state. This ranges from the smallest…

Here is our list of important and obtainable sustainability goals for your own life – goals the average person can strive for in our collective effort to reduce our carbon footprints. While you may be thinking I am only one person, the truth is, if we act together, it will make a difference. 

Adding plants to your home can beautify your space, improve indoor air quality, and produce a supply of tasty ingredients. We’ve compiled a list of common house plants and key things to know about them.

Creating eco-friendly habits in the workplace is an important step toward lowering one’s environmental impact.

In honor of Black History Month, learn about the concepts that undergird the environmental justice movement, as well as the prominent black thought leaders who have led and are leading the movement.

Recognizing the increasing demand for seafood, it has become even more important for consumers to support sustainable fishing practices. Learn what to consider when buying safe and sustainably caught fish.

There are thousands of toxins in our environment, and we are exposed to many of them every day. This is particularly concerning for children who are still developing and are at greater risk from exposure.

Young people from Generation Z and Generation Alpha may have less interaction with nature itself than generations before.

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!).

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