Every year, we hold Council Members accountable for their track records through our Environmental Scorecard. We are proud to release our 2018 City Council Environmental Scorecard today.
Each year, we lay out a policy agenda for New York City, with goals we urge the Mayor and the Council to achieve during the legislative session. Our 2018 agenda included removing toxins from the environment especially lead, planning for future mobility systems, and making the City’s climate goals real. Our primary tool for holding Council Members accountable for progress on these goals is this scorecard.
We are excited that so many Council Members are supportive of the environment and have taken pro-environmental actions. Kudos to the 44 Council Members who earned high marks this year!
We were pleased to see the Council combat climate change by passing a legislative package to encourage wind energy. The Council also worked to promote sustainable transportation and remove toxins from the environment – two of our top priorities. Council Members are taking up legislation that advance electric scooters and bicycles, as well as pedestrian-friendly street infrastructure like wider sidewalks. Lead poisoning prevention is also being addressed through a legislative package that would lower the blood lead threshold and expand testing.
With the executive branch in Washington undermining years of environmental progress, it is more important than ever for local governments to fill that void. We will work with legislative leaders to enact policies to encourage the use of renewable energy, decrease emissions, and reduce waste. Together, we will also fight to protect public health, and our recreation and open space resources for generations to come.
Now, we need your help! Tell your Council Member that you know their score. It only takes a minute to say thanks to those who prioritized the environment–or no thanks to those that didn’t. Click here to contact them today.
A downloadable PDF version of the 2018 Scorecard is available here.