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.

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. 

The area encompasses Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and the Great Lakes region and has a population of a little more than 3.5 million people. Our overall environmental goals for the region are to increase renewable energy, decarbonize buildings, clean up toxic waste, provide safe drinking water for all residents, and reduce waste going to landfills. 

It is essential that we learn to cut back and eliminate unnecessary plastic use. This week, our Green Tips will help you begin your plastic-free journey.

As the primary election season kicks into gear, the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) continues their mission of educating voters through environmental candidate forums, conducting two in recent weeks, one in southern Westchester County for New York’s 16th Congressional District, and one in Albany for New York’s 109th Assembly District.  

Buying locally produced food and dining at farm-to-table restaurants is one way we can all work together to fight climate change. You can start out by visiting one of the many urban farms in New York City or elsewhere in the state, and then you can dine at one of the many farm-to-table restaurants.

Approval of multiple new projects, new multi-state leases and agreements, and the nation’s first commercial scale offshore wind project coming online with the completion of South Fork wind, mark the success of President Biden’s Clean Energy Agenda. 

By Peter Aronson We are thrilled to announce that the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF) will be out on the streets helping New Yorkers celebrate Earth Month in April and Earth Day on April 22. “Every day is essentially Earth Day at the League, but there is no doubt that April…

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.

America Recycles Day is coming up! Here’s what you need to know about recycling and how to do it properly.

Going green doesn’t require a big budget or a lot of expensive products. There are small ways you can help the environment by conserving energy and consuming less water. Here are some green tips for a small budget!

National Imagine A Day Without Water is on October 23rd. On this day, organizations across the country urge people to think about the important role water plays in their daily lives and why they should protect our water resources. Here are a few short facts about water in honor of National Imagine A Day Without Water.

Birthday parties are a great opportunity to celebrate another year with family and friends, but they can also generate a lot of waste. Follow our tips to “green” your next birthday party!

We released Breaking Down the Barriers to Renewable Energy Siting: Recommendations Report identifying recommendations to reform Article 10 and site large-scale renewable energy projects in New York State.

As part of National Public Lands Day, you can join volunteers across the country to take care of public lands near you. You can also pay tribute to our public lands by taking a trip to any of New York State’s parks, forests, or wildlife refuges. Check out our tips for an eco-friendly excursion.

World Rivers Day is coming up on September 22nd! To celebrate, we’ve put together a list of ways you can enjoy and protect your favorite river. 

Keeping your home clean shouldn’t have to involve using products that contain harmful chemicals. From cosmetics to cleaning supplies, taking steps to reduce or eliminate harmful chemicals will benefit both your health and the environment. Read some of our tips for how to green your household product routine.

Fall is almost here and although there will soon be less green outside your window, you should still be thinking green for the coming season. Keep these tips in mind for living sustainably this fall.

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