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.

Despite the recent cold weather in New York, the coming spring provides an opportunity to get out of stuffy offices and cramped rooms and appreciate the flora and fauna right outside our doors. Not only has regular exposure to green been found to be beneficial for mental health, but taking the time to familiarize yourself…

As Spring approaches, spring cleaning is on everyone’s minds. Unfortunately, many conventional cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment and to humans. Most cleaning products come in plastic and non-renewable containers, only creating unnecessary waste. They can also be extremely expensive. 

Valentine’s Day gifts usually include flowers, greeting cards, presents, and nice dinners. This year, we encourage you to celebrate Valentine’s Day more sustainably. Check out the tips below for a greener Valentine’s Day!  

On Wednesday, January 12th, 2022, NYLCVEF and our partner, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, hosted a webinar with special guests Orsted and Eversource to learn more about their ongoing offshore wind projects, South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind.

As COVID cases are spiking and the weather is getting colder, many are opting for takeout rather than dining in. Plastic containers and excess packaging can make takeout a less eco-friendly option, but there are many ways to still be environmentally conscious.

Go electric in 2022! Owning an electric vehicle (EV) has many advantages over owning a gasoline-powered car including lower maintenance costs, fewer emissions resulting in less pollution, and lower fuel costs. 

There’s a lot of talk about going green. Fortunately, governments, businesses and individuals around the world are taking action to support this initiative. From using alternative energy sources like wind, hydro or solar panels to switching to low-emission transportation options, if your daily actions are more eco-friendly, you will not only help protect the environment, but also benefit financially, physically and mentally.

The holiday season is notorious for producing a great deal of waste and harmful emissions, further contributing to humans’ negative impact on our environment. This holiday season, consider purchasing eco-friendly gifts. These gifts may not only promote sustainable practices to those receiving the gifts but also reduce unnecessary waste. 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer some of the best annual sales. However, they are also the heaviest consumerism days of the year, intensifying an already significant problem of electronic, clothing, and plastic waste. A 2019 survey found that up to 61% percent of Americans received an unwanted gift during the holidays, much of which will end up in landfills. Below are some tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint this season while still enjoying the discounts. 

The holiday season is upon us! Picking the perfect present for your loved ones can be stressful but with this guide, you can make a statement this year by giving greener gifts, decreasing your carbon footprint and helping the environment!

Thanksgiving is a day for spending time with friends and family, celebrating the harvest, showing gratitude, and this year, being green! However you choose to celebrate, we hope that you’ll keep these easy tips in mind as your way to say thanks to Mother Nature for giving us a great, green planet.

The holiday season is nearly in full force. While this time of year is filled with family, friends, and celebrations, it can also be filled with over-consumption and waste. From sustainable dinner parties to gift wrapping, here are some small ways to keep good green habits during the holidays.

With Daylight Saving Time ending this weekend, darker, cooler days are on the way. It’s natural to use more energy this time of year, but there are cheap and easy things you can do to keep your fall footprint low. Improving your home’s energy efficiency is a win for the environment and your wallet.

For this ghoulish season, makeup is a necessity. However, all of this personal-care can take a toll on the environment. To help you navigate the scary world of cosmetics, we’ve made a guide to sustainable purchasing in the beauty industry.

Halloween is right around the corner, and as you decide what costume you’ll wear we wanted to remind you not to forget about the environment! Check out our tips below for easy, cheap, and fun ways to lower your Halloween footprint.

Autumn in New York is a spectacular time to get outdoors and enjoy the many activities New York has to offer, from walking and bicycling to the numerous events and festivals. Peep our suggestions below for walking, hiking, and cycling trails that offer great views, as well as some family-oriented activities.

NYLCVEF teamed up with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and other partners to draft a report on the negative health impacts of lead poisoning in NYC and review the city’s enforcement of its lead poisoning prevention law. The report found that city agencies have largely failed to enforce the primary prevention measures of the law.

Many pieces of jewelry are designed to last only a short period of time before falling apart. Gems can be unethically sourced, which means they were obtained in an unsustainable way that harms workers or the environment. To avoid these harmful practices, we’ve compiled some tips for starting a collection that not only looks great but has less of a footprint on the planet as well.

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