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 Noor Malik “Transportation and buildings are among the two largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City. If we’re going to be serious about fighting climate change,we need solutions that address more than one sector at a time.” — Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund If you’ve…

All New Yorkers deserve safe passage to lead pipe removal that is quick, cost-effective, and equitable. The federal mandate is clear; water systems must remove all lead pipes by 2037. The question remains: will the governor and state legislature help communities meet this moment by providing the policies and public dollars to solve this problem?

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.

On June 23, New York’s primary elections will determine which candidates run in the midterms this November, when New York will send twenty-six officials to the US House of Representatives. Each year, NYLCVEF helps to ensure that the environment and climate change are front and center on the campaign trail and that voters know where…

New York has seen quite a lot of snow recently! While snowstorms are magical to watch, some snow removal methods unintentionally harm the environment. Read on to learn more about how to deal with snow in a more eco-friendly way.

In this blog we examine Delivering on Commitment: The 2025 NYC Lead Compliance Report, which highlights the City’s progress toward eliminating lead exposure since the launch of LeadFreeNYC in 2019, an initiative to reduce childhood lead poisoning, expand protections, and tighten safety standards. The report highlights what is working, where gaps remain, and what new strategies are needed to move faster.

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.

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…

There is no such thing as a “safe amount of lead” in drinking water. And with an estimated 555,696 active lead service lines in New York State alone, the burden of this issue is not equally distributed. In this blog we look at the progress made, the gaps that remain, and the way forward.

Reduce your transportation-related contribution to climate change: Did you know transportation is New York’s leading source of climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions? Reducing those emissions will require collective action by all of us. So, this week, we’ve partnered with Map My Emissions to help you make more climate-friendly transportation choices. Map My Emissions lets you compare…

Do you enjoy a good cocktail now and then? Are you concerned about the impact your alcohol of choice may have on the environment?  This week we will provide you with more details on how to enjoy a drink while remaining environmentally conscious.  With the help of Grist, we are able to provide you with…

The Town of East Hampton has a long record of sustainability leadership, particularly on the issue of open space. But there are many steps the town can take to continue to improve its environmental performance–and the town’s elected leaders will play a critical role in this effort.] For this reason, the New York League of…

At the end of summer and start of fall, your garden and nearby farmers’ markets will be flourishing with fresh, healthy food. While the abundance of goodies may seem as fleeting as the summer sun, you can preserve some of your produce for the upcoming months. Canning and pickling your food is not only a…

Last week we explored tips to gardening in autumn, and this week we will elaborate on the importance of leaving leaves and grass clippings on your garden and some areas of your lawn. On the other hand, leaving large leaves piled up several inches on your lawn can cause damage to the grass. This article…

Putting a bit of effort into your garden in the fall allows it to thrive during next year’s growing season. There are also many new plants that thrive in fall weather, such as flowers, shrubs, and edible plants. Even if your garden consists of just a few containers on a New York City rooftop or…

The letters sections of newspapers and magazines are prime forums for getting your message to a wide audience.

Fall cleaning is here! It’s time to knock out some chores to get ready for the coming winter to prevent damage accumulating and keep your home working efficiently. Make sure to respect your health and the environment while getting ready for the changing season with these tips: Use safe cleaning products. Toxic cleaning products don’t…

Summer has been flying by, and we’re at the time of year to start thinking about school. With all the excitement surrounding classmates, teachers, and color-coded binders, it is important to remain environmentally conscious when preparing for the new school year. According to the American Federation of Teachers, educational facilities are among the biggest waste…

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