Exposure to lead, a toxic metal, has a wide range of harmful effects toward people, from headaches and stomach pains to more severe conditions such as heart disease and impaired kidney function. Children are especially vulnerable, with exposure linked to brain damage, developmental delays, behavioral issues, and hearing and speech impairments. Therefore, it’s essential that lead levels are properly monitored through accurate testing and any exceedances are promptly addressed and reduced through effective remediation, or are properly secured against use and are consistently reported to all required parties for schools.

On August 13, New York City announced the release of Greater Greenways: The New York City Greenway Plan, a milestone achievement and a top New York League of Conservation Voters priority. Required under Local Law 115 of 2022, which NYLCV strongly supported, the plan is the city’s first comprehensive greenway vision in more than 30 years. 

Rats!  While New York City has made important progress on its zero waste goals – including the passage of the Zero Waste Act and subsequent roll out of the citywide curbside composting program, there is still a long way to go. We believe the logical next step  – the proverbial low-hanging (discarded) fruit – would be for the City Council to vote on and pass Intro 1123, which would direct the NYC Department of Sanitation to establish a program requiring all buildings with 10 or more dwelling units to place residential waste in stationary on-street containers. 

Suffolk County just received a major boost in its fight against water pollution. Governor Hochul announced $30 million in funding to help homeowners replace outdated septic systems with advanced, cleaner technology. This move addresses decades of groundwater contamination on Long Island and builds on state efforts to ensure cleaner water long-term.

A proposed 90% federal funding cut endangers New York’s clean water and poses threats to infrastructure upgrades and public health protections. With possible state budget adjustments on the horizon, advocates are pushing to protect full funding under state revolving funds while also defending key programs such as the Clean Water Infrastructure Act from potential roll backs.

On July 4th, President Trump signed the “Big Ugly Bill,” gutting core climate policies through cutting clean energy tax credits, EV incentives, raising energy costs, and jeopardizing over a million jobs. State and local level climate leadership will be more important than ever as we face the repercussions of this bill.