April 29, 2021

How Has NYC Transportation Changed Post COVID?

By Tamanna Mohapatra

“The Hudson River Park Trust will be getting $5 million in state funding to build a two-block bicycle and pedestrian path along the West Side Highway.” “The Empire State Trail; a 750-mile network of space for bicyclists, hikers, runners, and others is now complete.” These recent headlines are seemingly good news, but we wanted to take a deeper look at the state of sustainable transportation in our city and ask the question: how has transportation changed post COVID?

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April 4, 2021

Green Tours – Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center (JBENC)

We are excited to offer a virtual tour of the Net Zero Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center (JBENC). The JBENC, located at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, NY is the first interactive education center within the New York State Parks system. This unique environmental education center specifically addresses the role of human energy consumption in shaping the natural landscape.

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April 3, 2021

Monthly Forum: How Has COVID-19 Impacted Energy Use?

When COVID-19 hit, the virus not only infected bodies, but also homes. Our kitchens, bedrooms, even bathrooms became office spaces as people had to suddenly cram both work and leisure into the same place. This change drastically altered the distribution of energy usage across the city (and the world) as office buildings emptied and people were confined to their homes.

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March 31, 2021

Getting Back Out: A City Dweller’s COVID Reflection on Nature in Place

By Pamela Berns

In the lushness and vastness of the Western wilderness, the city dweller’s daily fight for blades of grass, open skies, and majestic mountains feels more like a calling than a battle. The city, with its tall buildings slicing the sky into slivers, darkening the streets long before sunset, can overwhelm with cynicism. Energy efficiency, walkable streets, LEED Platinum skyscrapers. The goal is clear, to save our planet. But out there in hopeful hills and valleys, where billions of stars blanket the night sky, you can actually see what it is you are saving. 

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The Real Facts of Food Waste

By Tamanna Mohapatra

The Irish philosopher Edmund Burke once said; “Facts are to the mind what food is to the body”. Essential. Let us, therefore, begin with some essential facts.  Beware, these facts may kill your appetite. 

Worldwide, up to 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted globally each year, almost 1/3rd of the 3 billion produced. This is edible food that goes uneaten, primarily driven by actions and decisions made by retailers, food service providers, and consumers. 

The figure for the USA is 80 billion pounds/year which translates to roughly 36 million tons/year, making it the food waste leader in North America. An individual citizen’s share of that is about 400 pounds/year, a little over a pound a day. 

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February 26, 2021

Diversity: The Cornerstone of a New Green Economy

By Salmata Kaba   WOMEN and BIPOC people have long faced the constant task of creating space for themselves within a greater entity. As the world begins to take more aggressive action to address the dire need for sustainability, it’s also becoming increasingly apparent that diversity will play a critical role in tackling this imperative. We can no longer create sustainable pockets that only benefit affluent communities. If we genuinely want to see the benefits of our sustainability efforts, we need to include more diverse voices, ideas, and beneficiaries into the working model. (more…)

WELL Buildings Pave the Way to a Post-COVID Built Environment

By Tamanna Mohapatra   At what cost are we willing to work in buildings that don’t prioritize our well-being?  This may well be a question we no longer need to worry about. This past January, we got some good  news about the launch of IWBI’s new Health Safety-Seal that could improve health and safety in your neighborhood as soon as this year. Your bakery, your office and your childcare center (even your local nail parlor!) could decide to pursue the WELL Health Safety rating.  (more…)

February 25, 2021

Green Careers: Diversity in Green

The GreenHomeNYC Careers group is hosting a panel on Diversity in Green.

For an industry to thrive, there has to be a diversity of thought and representation. Please join us on March 9th with our diverse panel of New Yorkers, as they share with us how they started in the sustainability field and where they see the future of inclusivity for an industry that is poised to greatly expand.

Speakers include:   (more…)

February 4, 2021

Monthly Forum – Climate Action Movements

Just two months after the U.S. formally withdrew from the Paris Agreement, President Biden re-joined and subsequently unveiled an ambitious climate change mitigation plan. This stark political u-turn was partially made possible by pressure from climate action movements.   Climate action movements both old and new have been organizing for years to elect progressive candidates, shape the agenda, and pass legislation. They knock on doors to for politicians, write detailed recommendations for legislation, and organize phonebanks to lobby representatives.   How effective are these movements? What are their goals and who can get involved? These are just some of the questions that will be addressed by our panel of climate action movement leaders. Join us!

Date: Wednesday February 17, 2021 Time: 6:30 – 8:00PM EST

Location: Online

REGISTER HERE!

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Green Careers: Community Action

The GreenHomeNYC Careers group is hosting a panel on Community Action.

Community action plays a significant role in the acceleration of a greener environment. Come hear from professionals who work to educate and empower local communities on environmental justice and sustainability efforts, and learn about careers in this space.

Speakers include: (more…)