Take Action
Tell the New York State Assembly to Pass the Beauty Justice Act
Personal care products – everything from cosmetics to soaps to chemical hair straighteners and dyes – are largely unregulated. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require specific tests to demonstrate the safety of individual cosmetic products or their ingredients before products go on store shelves. Far too many of these products can contain toxic ingredients that have been linked to cancer, infertility, miscarriage, poor infant and maternal health outcomes, obesity, asthma, and many other serious health concerns. And it’s an environmental justice issue because research shows that women of color are disproportionately exposed to these toxic ingredients.
In addition, multinational beauty brands have figured out how to sell the exact same drug store product at a similar price point to Europeans, while continuing to make a buck off of Americans using cheaper unsafe ingredients. We know big, multinational beauty brands offer the exact same products in Europe that are safer, effective, and still affordable when compared to the United States version. We know it is doable for these companies to make safer formulations, and what Americans really can’t afford is a colossal hospital bill from long-term use of an everyday toxic product. The reason products in the European Union are healthier is because they have banned nearly 2,500 chemicals from beauty and personal care products they have deemed too harmful to human health. The US FDA has only banned or restricted 11 ingredients. Though, we don’t even have to look as far as the EU to know industry can comply with stronger regulations of ingredients. Washington, California, Vermont, and Oregon have passed legislation banning the use of harmful ingredients in cosmetics and or personal care products already.
That is why we are asking you to urge Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie and Committee on Ways and Means Chair Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow to pass the New York State Beauty Justice Act (A.2054B), which will stop companies from being allowed to sell personal care or cosmetic products in New York State that have intentionally added some of the most dangerous toxic ingredients. These toxic ingredients include lead, mercury, formaldehyde, PFAS, parabens, and asbestos. The bill does not ban products, only ingredients. And the Senate has already passed the bill, for the second year in a row, so we now need the Assembly to do the same. Take Action
Protect New York State’s Climate Act
New Yorkers are struggling with rising energy bills. The skyrocketing energy bills are the result of our state’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, and the corporate greed of utilities that are enjoying record profits. But New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has been trying to blame the state’s Climate Act, better known as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), for these exorbitant costs – even though it has yet to even implement the law. In fact, we were among the plaintiffs in the litigation against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for failing to issue the regulations required by law, under the CLCPA, which the court decided in our favor (under appeal), to begin implementation.
Not only would implementing the CLCPA save New Yorkers money, but it will also save lives. By the State’s own estimates, air pollution results in approximately 1,500 premature deaths each year across the state. The CLCPA will significantly reduce those emissions.
Ask Your State Legislators to Defend the Climate Act & Fund the Sustainable Future Program
As part of the Renewable Heat Now coalition, we invite you to email your state legislators, urging them to defend the law and fund the Sustainable Future Program. Take Action
Tell the Public Service Commission to Deny the Fossil Fuel Industry’s Petition
A fossil fuel-backed group has asked a state agency – the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) – to hold a hearing that could stop New York’s clean energy programs dead in their tracks. Tell the PSC to deny this petition. Click here to tell the PSC to deny this attempt by the fossil fuel industry to weaken our climate law. Take Action
Take Action: Our 2027 City Budget Asks for Environmental Justice
The New York City budget is a statement of principles. Our leaders are bound to Environmental Justice principles through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and the EJNYC Plan, yet funding to execute on these commitments has fallen through time and time again. See our Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Platform and tell New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York City Council how they can align fiscal action with their stated principles. Take Action
Take Action: Tell State Legislators to Pass the Rain Ready Act to Better Manage Flooding
Flooding is one of the most common and costly impacts of climate change. Our infrastructure is not prepared to withstand the rising tide of these flooding events. That’s why we, as part of the Rise to Resilience coalition, are asking you to urge your State legislators to pass the Rain Ready New York Act (S.4071A/A.7467A). This bill clarifies the powers of sewer authorities throughout the state to manage stormwater and prepare for the increasing frequency and intensity of rainfall due to climate change. Take Action
Ask Sally Beauty to Stop Selling Toxic Products
An independent analysis released by Toxic-Free Future found that, of the products reviewed that Sally Beauty is selling and marketing primarily to Black and Latinx women for textured hair, more than one in six (17 percent) contain chemicals linked to cancer and other serious health harms. The study found dangerous ingredients in such as formaldehyde-releasing chemicals and siloxanes among the more than 550 products reviewed. Learn More
Toxic-Free Future and WE ACT urge Sally Beauty to remove toxic chemicals from all its products nationwide, not just where required by law. Click here for tips on how to avoid harmful ingredients and click here to Take Action, telling Sally Beauty’s CEO to stop selling these harmful products! Take Action
Take Action: Tell Us Your Healthy Homes Story
Communities of color and low-income experience disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards in their homes, such as indoor air pollution from stoves and other fossil fuel appliances, lead poisoning from paint, asthma triggers like mold and pests, and others. As part of our Healthy Homes First campaign to influence policies and programs at the federal level, we’re gathering stories of lived-experiences with these issues. Click here to tell us your story. It could be something you’ve experienced, something you’ve seen, or your thoughts on what kind of solutions you’d like to see in your community or at the federal level. Take Action
Become a Member
Become a member and join hundreds of Northern Manhattan residents, fellow New Yorkers, and people around the country who are taking action to improve the environment and health of our community. It only costs $25 per year, though you can pay what you can afford. We have a monthly Membership Meeting on the second Saturday of the month, focusing on various topics of interest. And we have working groups that also meet monthly to focus on specific issues like the climate crisis, reducing exposure to toxics, and improving NYCHA. Of course, you don’t have to be a member to participate in any of our meetings, events, or working groups, but it’s a great way to show your support and commitment. The important thing is that you get involved!
Get a Green Job
WE ACT’s Green Institute offers free training and support to help members of our community get good paying jobs in the green economy. This includes the 30-hour OSHA Certificate and Site Safety Training required for entry-level positions in the construction industry, Solar Photovoltaic Installation certification, and the 60-hour energy efficiency technical training to earn GPRO Fundamentals of Building Green Certification.
Vote
The 2026 New York State Primary Election will be held on June 23, with early voting from June 13-21, and the General Election on November 3. You can everything you need to know about voting in these elections on our Voter Information page.
Stay Informed
We encourage you to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter and follow us on social media – Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram – to stay informed about everything WE ACT is involved in. You can also read our blog, listen to our bimonthly podcast to learn about key environmental justice issues, and opt in to receive text messages from us.
Support Our Work
With massive cuts in federal funding, we need your financial support more than ever. Please donate what you can to support the work we do!