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.

Since Superstorm Sandy in 2012 caused $19 billion in damage and extensive flooding in the city, New York has developed a vast array of coastal protection projects. These projects have taken on more urgency as scientists predict that the city will be subject to increased flooding in years to come as sea levels rise on the East Coast. 

New York City officials earlier this month began enforcing mandatory participation in the city-wide curbside composting program. While the separation of organic waste and the promotion of city-wide composting are critical to our transition toward becoming a more sustainable city, new rules and regulations can often feel overwhelming, confusing, and even frustrating. With this dichotomy in mind, NYLCV aims to empower citizens to fully participate in the NYC curbside organics collection program for the betterment of the city. To achieve this, we must begin by addressing the questions: “Why should I compost, and how do I get started?” 

The term spring cleaning should take on new meaning as we all strive to make our homes and communities more environmentally sustainable. We’ve compiled a list of suggestions to help you get started.

Global warming has been a principal concern of the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund since its foundation. It is an unfortunate reality that the warming of the earth’s atmosphere has not only continued but accelerated over the past decade, resulting in the NOAA reporting that January 2025 was the hottest January globally reported.

With the IBX on the move thanks to congestion pricing, NYLCVEF is pleased to present a primer on this major public transportation project that’ll connect Queens and Brooklyn. The daily ridership is expected to reach 115,000, or 40 million annually. The rail corridor is home to approximately 900,000 residents and 260,000 workers within a half mile of the proposed line.

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.

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…

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!).

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.

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