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.

It’s called greening the grid, and New York State is racing to do this by 2040. New York has committed to achieving 100 percent clean energy within 17 years from now (and we’re counting!) and the state is pushing forward on multiple fronts to reach that goal.

As we head into the final weeks of winter, New York City weather continues to alternate between cool February drafts and warmer, above-average temperatures. Instead of spending the next few weeks holed up inside, spend a day or two outside with all these activities that the city has to offer.

by Peter Aronson There are several ways to think about composting your food scraps. One way is to realize that by doing so, you are actually – honestly, truly – reducing your carbon footprint and helping fight climate change.  Another angle is that it’s a fun family project that can include the kids and also…

The period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day is full of holiday cheer, but it also marks the time when we generate the most waste: 25% more than during any other time of the year. Unsurprisingly, much of this waste comes from gift wrapping. With just a little extra thought, you can help make a huge impact in reducing waste. Check out this week’s Green Tips to learn how to gift wrap the eco way!

The world news about climate change can be overwhelmingly negative at times. But it’s important to keep in mind that if every person focuses on reducing their carbon footprint, collectively we can have a big impact. “Every one of us can help limit global warming and take care of our planet,” the UN’s ActNow website…

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.

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…

It is more important than ever to vote this election day. Voting is one of the most efficient ways to support the environment by supporting candidates who have strong the environmental records or have prioritized the environment throughout their campaign. Here we have a guide for how to vote in the upcoming election on November 8th. 

Halloween is right around the corner, and as you decide how you would like to celebrate, we wanted to remind you not to forget about the environment! Check out our tips below for easy, cheap, and fun ways to lower your eco footprint this spooky season! 

Did you hear that? We didn’t think so. It was the hushed sound of hundreds of electric cars, buses, boats, and even lawn equipment out in full force across New York for National Drive Electric Week, a yearly campaign to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

Campfires are an integral part of camping. You can make s’mores, listen to the crackling of the fire, and tell ghost stories all while keeping warm. As folks rush to finish up the camping season, it’s important to keep in mind proper campfire etiquette and safety. Check out this week’s Green Tips on eco-friendly campfires!

The transportation sector is responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. It is crucial that we start to take alternative modes of transportation to reduce the impact of the transportation sector including electric vehicles, public transportation, and more micro mobility measures like bikes, scooters, walking, etc.

It’s hard to believe that Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes many exciting seasonal activities. Fall not only brings cooler weather, but also many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors before the cold Winter season. It is always important that we keep sustainability in mind and how sustainable practices can change with each season. Some recommendations for fun and sustainable fall activities are below!

New York is experiencing one of its hottest summers on record. Even though we’re a month away from the Fall season, temperatures have continuously reached almost 100° in some parts of the State. We can attribute the recent scorching summers to climate change and the damage human impact has had on the environment. While an extremely hot day is not only unpleasant, it can be dangerous to human health. It is important to stay cool and take care of yourself and your loved ones on extremely hot days.  

Every year, we use the Back to School season to stock up on new clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics. All of this shopping makes the Back to School season the second highest consumer season of the year, just after the winter holidays! Unfortunately,  all of the new things we buy during the Back to School Season can generate a lot of waste.The good news is that the new school year is the perfect time to start sustainable habits, both for shopping and for other areas of the school routine. Here we have some tips for parents and students on how they can make their Back to School season eco- friendly!

Barbecues are the perfect way to get outside and enjoy the warm summer weather. They are a great way to catch up with friends and family, but the downside is they can create a lot of waste, thus contributing to  carbon emissions. If you want to find ways to  hold an environmentally friendly barbecue, we have some tips on how you can make this fun, summer tradition more sustainable!

Over the past few decades, single-use plastics have become such an important part of our day to day lives that it can be difficult to imagine living without them. Plastic Free July is a movement that seeks to change that perception, and show us how doable it is to cut down on our plastic use throughout the month of July. This July we’re encouraging our members to pledge to go plastic free for the whole month. 

The 4th of July, one of the most celebrated summer holidays in the United States, is just around the corner. Here are some ways that you can make sure your party is sustainable!

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