On September 19, 2024, the Bronx Climate and Environmental Justice Network (BCEJN) hosted a Bronx-led Town Hall on climate and environmental justice at Bronx Bethany Church.
The event brought together Bronx residents, community leaders, and Bronx legislators to discuss local issues, including health impacts, the effects of extreme weather and flooding, and the need for good jobs and community economic development. Within each of these issues, there was a heavy emphasis on Bronx-oriented solutions. Through round-table discussions and presentations, participants shared personal experiences and solutions on how to address climate and environmental injustice in the borough.
Environmental justice is a pressing issue for Bronx communities, which have long faced disproportionate environmental burdens and are now facing the worst impacts of the climate crisis. The recent 5-year anniversary of passing New York’s Climate Law (CLCPA) revealed that state agencies are not implementing the law, leading to drastic negative impacts on the Bronx and disadvantaged communities across the state.
The town hall provided an opportunity for Bronx residents to engage directly with legislators, share their insights, and collaborate on climate and environmental justice solutions to protect the borough’s environment and health.
Attendees participated in facilitated discussions on 1. utility bills, 2. environmental justice and health, 3. climate impacts such as extreme weather and flooding, 4. jobs and community economic development, 5. quality of life, and 6. green healthy schools and learning. Residents spoke about the things that connect all of these issues, such as the need for green space which improves health and the effects of climate change, community solar to create good green jobs for youth in the Bronx and local power and efficient transportation that better serves the Bronx as a whole. State and local legislators addressed the issues addressed in the roundtables and connected these to the state legislation they’re working on in Albany this year including the Climate Change Superfund Act, 35% of which would go to environmental justice communities which would benefit the Bronx, and the NY HEAT Act. The event also provided opportunities to plug into city and statewide environmental justice campaigns, including NY Renews’ Climate, Jobs & Justice campaign.
Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia, said “The Bronx has long been on the front lines of environmental injustice, and it is time for our community to take the lead in shaping solutions. I am excited to participate in the Bronx Climate and Environmental Justice Town Hall to bring residents, advocates, and policymakers together to fight for environmental justice. Our community is committed to ensuring that every voice is heard as we tackle the climate crisis head-on and protect the health and well-being of our neighborhoods”.
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, said “Addressing the pressing challenges of climate change in the Bronx is not only an environmental imperative but a matter of public health and community resilience. From rising utility costs to the devastating impacts of extreme weather, it is our responsibility to take action now to protect our neighborhoods and future generations. I am committed to working alongside our community to create sustainable jobs, improve quality of life, and ensure that our schools and public spaces are green and healthy for all.”
Dariella Rodriguez, Director of Community Development at The Point CDC, said “The Bronx is such a huge borough with an enormous diverse population, and although our neighborhoods have their differences, this Town Hall and the work of the Bronx Climate and Environmental Justice Network is a step in growing the solidarity across the Bronx so we can stand together on environmental and climate justice issues. We have a lot to learn from each other and will build more resilient communities as we do.”
Daniel Ranells, Director of Programs and Operations at the Bronx River Alliance, said “As we celebrate 50 years of grassroots community activism around restoring the Bronx River, we continue to see the impacts of climate change and disinvestment on our communities. Integrating nature-based solutions through community engagement and advocacy is key to investing in our future.”
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About
The Point CDC
The Point Community Development Corporation is dedicated to youth development and the cultural and economic revitalization of the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Celebrating over 25 years of service, THE POINT offers a multi-faceted approach to asset-based community development. Its programming falls within three main headings all aimed at the comprehensive revitalization of the Hunts Point community: Youth Development, Arts and Culture, and Community Development.
South Bronx Unite
South Bronx Unite brings together neighborhood residents, community organizations, academic institutions, and allies to improve and protect the social, environmental, and economic future of Mott Haven and Port Morris.
We envision a South Bronx where everyone is thriving because we have equitable access to clean air, nutritious food, truly affordable and quality housing, good health care, resources to advance our contributions to arts and culture, community centers, open green spaces, good schools with adequate resources, jobs with livable wages, a transformative justice approach to public safety, and participatory decision-making for public policies and community development.
Bronx River Alliance
We work in harmonious partnership to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor. Our goal is to make a healthy ecological, recreational, educational, and economic resource for all communities through which the river flows.
The Alliance works in close partnership with the New York City Parks as well as dozens of community-based partners, regional nonprofits, businesses and all levels of government.
We Stay/Nos Quedamos
We Stay/Nos Quedamos, Inc. (NQ) is a non-profit community development corporation committed to the collective self-determination of the people of Melrose Commons in the South Bronx. Our work respects, supports, and involves the community in plans and policies addressing issues of long-term affordable housing, open space, environmental justice, and community renewal.
Plant Native NW Bronx
Plant Native NW Bronx is a grassroots community organization that works on use of land and ecological restoration in the NW Bronx. We educate and advocate with homeowners, apartment buildings, schools, houses of worship, and other institutions to encourage shifting the use of land from decorative, non-native plantings to plantings native to our locality that will encourage more pollinators, increased insect and bird populations, greater biodiversity overall, reduced carbon emissions through more sustainable maintenance methods, and more environmentally- and climate-friendly neighborhoods.
The Bronx is Blooming
At The Bronx is Blooming (BiB), our mission is to grow and support a culture of environmental stewardship in the Bronx. BiB inspires communities to advocate for their parkland as well as promote civic engagement, youth development, and community building.
The Bronx is Blooming trains local youth to lead volunteer projects in Bronx parks. Our programs allow Bronx residents to drive change in their neighborhoods. We work to cultivate a community of protectors of natural resources in the Bronx.
Since our founding in 2011, we have accomplished a lot of positive change. With the help of our amazing supporters and partners, we have provided training and seasonal jobs to 250+ Bronx youth, who together with 18,000+ volunteers dedicated 103,000+ hours of service and stewarded 14,000+ trees at 20 parks and green spaces throughout the Bronx. It would take more than six parks’ staff’s full-time work each year to match our time commitment.
TREEage
Since 2019, TREEage has focused on educating high school and college students on the magnitude of the climate crisis, the legacies of environmental injustice, and our vision for an equitable future; training the next generation of climate activists to lead their schools and neighborhoods and build winning campaigns; and championing Green New Deal legislation and mobilizing young people to make it a reality.
Our policy agenda has been developed by young people in TREEage, in partnership with community organizations and leaders. We are committed to transforming our values and organizing energy into tangible, transformative action to halt the climate crisis with an equitable Green New Deal, and we have dedicated resources to policy development and won a seat at the table in developing bold policy agendas.
Jewish Climate Action Network NYC
Jewish Climate Action Network NYC (JCAN) is a network of metro area Jews that offer the Jewish community hope, connection, and pathways to meaningful action. We do that through advocacy, activism, and education. We envision a world where individuals, communities, and the government come together to act on climate and create a sustainable planet and life for all. We stand upon the teachings, traditions, and prophetic voices of Judaism that compel us to protect the Earth and its inhabitants. For more information, contact us at info@JCAN-NYC.org.
Metro New York Global Catholic Climate Movement
This is the Metro New York chapter of the Global Catholic Climate Movement. Concerned about climate change, we have come together to care for God’s creation, the poor and future generations.
NY Renews
NY Renews is a coalition of over 380 environmental, justice, faith, labor, and community groups, and the force behind the nation’s most progressive climate law. We fight for good jobs and climate justice, and we’re not finished yet.
