Latest New York Citys: New York City

As we all know, traditional pesticides contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to people and our environment. One of the more interesting sustainable alternatives we recently learned about is the small and colorful ladybug.

Nature has always had a part in the world of art. Nowadays, art has become a method of spreading awareness of climate change through all senses rather than simply reading about its impact.

The tunnels under the Hudson River, which are over 100 years old, are deteriorating and face the risk of closing permanently. Luckily, there is a solution: the Gateway Tunnel project. Recently, a coalition of civic, labor and business leaders, including NYLCV, formed the Build Gateway Now Coalition to advocate for and spread awareness of the importance of this project.

Governor Cuomo and DEC announced that the settlement funds will be invested in clean transportation including earmarking 40% for buses - a successful step forward in our Clean Buses for Healthy Niños advocacy campaign. DEC will prioritize these emissions reduction projects in environmental justice communities that have traditionally been overburdened by pollution, which leads to higher rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

This past July, New York City had to suspend its use of speed cameras after lawmakers in Albany were unable to renew the program. Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and the New York City Council worked together and developed a solution to state lawmakers’ lack of support.

You may already know about the recreational and environmental benefits of open green space. But do you know about the public safety benefits of greenspaces? A new study by the New York Restoration Project found a correlation between the creation of new green spaces and improvements in crime rates.

It is crucial for policymakers to pass legislation to divert food waste from landfills, as only 3% of waste produced in the state does not end up at either a landfill or waste-to-energy facility. The Food Recovery and Recycling Act (that, unfortunately, did not pass) would have discouraged the production, distribution, and preparation of excess food; recovered excess food to be redistributed to those in need; and provided funding for new recycling programs specifically concerning food scraps.

Over the last fifty years, there has been a major increase in extreme weather, such as heat waves, droughts, and intense hurricanes. One of the most direct ways we experience the effects of climate change first-hand is when our communities are hit with extreme weather - and we can expect extreme weather events to increase in frequency and severity over time.