FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2023
Contact: Chris Dobens, chris@weact.org, 718-679-8542
NEW YORK – WE ACT for Environmental Justice released its 2023 Extreme Heat Policy Agenda and launched a new Extreme Heat Coalition, both of which are designed to help address extreme heat, the deadliest impact of climate change. The agenda outlines specific programs and policies at the city, state, and federal levels aimed at addressing extreme heat, and the new coalition will ensure broad advocacy for many of these recommendations.
“Not only is extreme heat the deadliest impact of climate change, but it also disproportionately harms people of color. Here in New York City, 50 percent of the heat-related deaths are among Black/African American people, even though they make up only around 25 percent of the city’s population,” explained Sonal Jessel, Director of Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “As you can see from our 2023 Extreme Heat Policy Agenda, there is a lot that can be done in terms of both adaptation and mitigation, and we hope that our new coalition will help amplify the need for and value of these community-based solutions.”
The news came during a virtual briefing held by WE ACT and several of its fellow advocates earlier today. A recording of this briefing can be found here. And members of the new coalition include WE ACT for Environmental Justice, South Bronx Unite, Groundwork Hudson Valley, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), HeartShare Human Services, and Earthjustice.
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WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan membership-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Visit us at weact.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.