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.

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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.

Back-to-school time may mean the end of summer vacation for kids, but it’s also the start of a new school year, which can be a great opportunity to implement new sustainability habits. From school supplies, lunchtime, to travel methods, there are lots of ways to go green this back-to-school season.

Did you know that August 26th is National Dog Day? To celebrate, we are laying out some ways to green your pet care routine.

If we take a moment to reflect on our daily activities, we have an enormous opportunity to make a difference in the environment. To get you started, we’ve put together some easy tips for you to green your daily habits.

Barbeques are a beloved summer staple but it’s important that we practice sustainable barbequing to minimize our impact on the environment. We’ve compiled our top tips for greening your summer barbeque.

The effects of climate change, like extreme weather events and sea-level rise, will impact the lives of the next generation in significant ways. We’ve put together some family-friendly tips to get kids engaged in the environment.

While adjusting to the summer, take a moment to consider how your actions may impact the environment. Here are some of our tips for staying cool in a sustainable way this summer. 

Summer is the perfect time to get out and explore all of the incredible natural experiences New York has to offer. This summer, mix it up and check out some of our favorite hidden gems throughout the Empire State for new adventures that will get you connected to nature.

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