Temperatures this summer are rising to uncomfortable levels. But what policies are in place to assist people who are confined to small, crowded apartments, with inadequate ventilation and no air conditioning —or unaffordable air conditioning—in the case of a heat wave? What are the environmental justice issues that should be considered, since traditional practices like opening community centers and shelters may be contraindicated in the era of Covid? What populations are being disproportionately affected by urban heat and climate change?
Please join Adriana Espinoza, Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice, NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate Policy and Programs, who will speak about environmental justice from a macro level, and how systemic inequality and environmental racism has created the disparities that exists in the City today. She will also discuss how the City plans to better incorporate equity and EJ into the city climate decision-making.
To dive deeper into the conversation, Mike Harrington, Assistant Director of the Tishman Environment and Design Center, will speak about the historical inequalities of urban heat island impacts on communities and some possible solutions from a policy and design perspective. He will also share some of the lessons learned from personal experience and the recently released "Turning the Heat" report that he co-authored as part of the Urban Design Forum's Forefront Fellowship.
Sonal Jessel, Advocacy Coordinator at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, will discuss what makes extreme heat a public health issue, why there are inequities in impact, and how communities cope. She will also highlight particular challenges that exist for vulnerable populations this summer due to COVID-19.
REGISTER HERE
In addition to the forum, GreenHomeNYC’s monthly volunteer orientation will take place right before the event, starting at 6pm. If you're interested in joining GreenHomeNYC as a volunteer, please review opportunities on their website, and register for a monthly orientation on Eventbrite.
If you have any questions, please contact the GreenHomeNYC Forums group at forums@greenhomenyc.org.