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. 

This week, we’re showing you how to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that your activities emit in a year so you can learn where you stand and where there’s room to cut back.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has swept the globe, leaving many people isolated in their homes indefinitely. Here’s how to freshen up your home to make it more livable, safe, and comfortable.

In recognition of this global observance, we want to share some ways that you can help conserve and protect our water resources.

Held on March 5, 2020, NYLCVEF’s Westchester Clean Energy Summit was a zero-waste event! We learned a lot from this experience and want to share steps that you can take to make your next party, gathering, or business meeting a zero-waste event.  Events of any scale typically produce a significant amount of waste, including uneaten…

Adding plants to your home can beautify your space, improve indoor air quality, and produce a supply of tasty ingredients. We’ve compiled a list of common house plants and key things to know about them.

Creating eco-friendly habits in the workplace is an important step toward lowering one’s environmental impact.

In honor of Black History Month, learn about the concepts that undergird the environmental justice movement, as well as the prominent black thought leaders who have led and are leading the movement.

Recognizing the increasing demand for seafood, it has become even more important for consumers to support sustainable fishing practices. Learn what to consider when buying safe and sustainably caught fish.

There are thousands of toxins in our environment, and we are exposed to many of them every day. This is particularly concerning for children who are still developing and are at greater risk from exposure.

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