A lot is happening in New York City, especially when it comes to policy. Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about some of WE ACT's priorities for 2026 with help from Caleb Smith, WE ACT's City Policy Manager. Topics include the City's Environmental Justice (EJNYC) Plan, the East Harlem Climate and Community Master Plan, and organic waste diversion.

Check out WE ACT’s 2026 Policy Agenda!

Make sure to subscribe to the WE ACT newsletter for updates, upcoming events and actions you can take!

Did one of the topics in this episode pique your interest? Listen to one of our previous episodes to learn more:

• Episode 16: NYC Environmental Justice Report
• Episode 35: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), featuring Lisa Garcia

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This week, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by Weezie Foster, WE ACT’s Government Affairs Manager to share some updates from our Federal Policy Office and talk about some important items on WE ACT’s federal policy agenda for 2026.

Check out some of the resources from WE ACT's Federal Policy Office:

• WE ACT produced six StoryMaps including ones sharing the past, present and future of Black History and Environmental Justice.
• Want to learn more about the National Environmental Policy Act? Check out this StoryMap titled NEPA Does Not Delay!

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Donate to WE ACT for Environmental Justice

WE ACT’s 2026 Policy Agenda is hot off the press! Join Jaron, Jama, and Briana to learn about some exciting campaigns WE ACT is advocating for in New York State this year.

Check out WE ACT’s 2026 Policy Agenda!

Make sure to subscribe to the WE ACT newsletter for updates, upcoming events and actions you can take!

Did one of the topics in this episode pique your interest? Listen to one of our previous episodes to learn more:

• Episode 2: Don’t Be Toxic, Be Beautiful
• Episode 40: The New York State Beauty Justice Act

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Donate to WE ACT for Environmental Justice

The holidays are here again, and this year, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by Leslie Fields, WE ACT’s Chief Federal Officer to share stories from the environmental justice movement, including Leslie’s role in creating our Federal Policy Office in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum made up of organizations across the country!

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It has been a difficult year for many of us, but that hasn’t stopped WE ACT from accomplishing some big wins in the name of environmental justice. Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn more about some of the wins for 2025 that we are excited to celebrate.

Want to take action? Check out the links below:

• SEND A LETTER TO GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO PROTECT OUR HEALTH AND BAN PFAS & OTHER TOXIC CHEMICALS IN PERIOD PRODUCTS
• SEND A LETTER TO GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO REPEAL THE 100 FOOT RULE!

Check out these past episodes related to some of our wins this year:

• Fifty First Episodes (featuring Karla Cordero, WE ACT's Chief of Staff)
• Energy Democracy – Power to the People (featuring Briana Carbajal, WE ACT's State Legislative Manager)
• Extreme Heat: Too Hot to Handle (featuring members of WE ACT's Climate Justice Working Group)

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Want to hear some trash talk without all of the drama? Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about some emerging policies in New York State to reduce the impact of plastic and other waste materials on the environment and our health, with help from a member of WE ACT's Planning Committee, Danielle Dookie. Daniella also serves on the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board.

Liked this episode? Check out our previous episode on Waste Incineration to learn more!

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Children’s Environmental Health Month is almost over, but youth-led climate action is still going strong! In this episode, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by Shiv Soin, Founder and Co-Executive Director of TREEage to learn how young people have helped shape the climate justice movement and ways for more young people to get involved.

Want to support climate action in your community? Check out upcoming TREEage events!

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October is Children’s Environmental Health Month! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about the Green Healthy Schools campaign with help from Faiza Azam, Climate & Labor Organizer at ALIGN.

Take Action!

Join the Climate Works for All coalition and sign the petition to tell our next mayor: we need Green, Healthy Schools to ensure the future of New York City’s climate, children, education system, and workforce. www.alignny.org/greenhealthyschools

You can also find ALIGN on Instagram: @align_new_york

Learn more about the Green Healthy Schools Report

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