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. 

Reduce your transportation-related contribution to climate change: Did you know transportation is New York’s leading source of climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions? Reducing those emissions will require collective action by all of us. So, this week, we’ve partnered with Map My Emissions to help you make more climate-friendly transportation choices. Map My Emissions lets you compare…

Do you enjoy a good cocktail now and then? Are you concerned about the impact your alcohol of choice may have on the environment?  This week we will provide you with more details on how to enjoy a drink while remaining environmentally conscious.  With the help of Grist, we are able to provide you with…

The Town of East Hampton has a long record of sustainability leadership, particularly on the issue of open space. But there are many steps the town can take to continue to improve its environmental performance–and the town’s elected leaders will play a critical role in this effort.] For this reason, the New York League of…

At the end of summer and start of fall, your garden and nearby farmers’ markets will be flourishing with fresh, healthy food. While the abundance of goodies may seem as fleeting as the summer sun, you can preserve some of your produce for the upcoming months. Canning and pickling your food is not only a…

Last week we explored tips to gardening in autumn, and this week we will elaborate on the importance of leaving leaves and grass clippings on your garden and some areas of your lawn. On the other hand, leaving large leaves piled up several inches on your lawn can cause damage to the grass. This article…

Putting a bit of effort into your garden in the fall allows it to thrive during next year’s growing season. There are also many new plants that thrive in fall weather, such as flowers, shrubs, and edible plants. Even if your garden consists of just a few containers on a New York City rooftop or…

The letters sections of newspapers and magazines are prime forums for getting your message to a wide audience.

Fall cleaning is here! It’s time to knock out some chores to get ready for the coming winter to prevent damage accumulating and keep your home working efficiently. Make sure to respect your health and the environment while getting ready for the changing season with these tips: Use safe cleaning products. Toxic cleaning products don’t…

Summer has been flying by, and we’re at the time of year to start thinking about school. With all the excitement surrounding classmates, teachers, and color-coded binders, it is important to remain environmentally conscious when preparing for the new school year. According to the American Federation of Teachers, educational facilities are among the biggest waste…

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