Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the fourth biggest park in New York City, filled with soccer fields, an aquatic center, and green spaces that welcome over nine million people every year. But residents see a decline in the park’s condition. So the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park (FMCP) rallied local residents, parks workers, and elected officials on October 27  to demand greater public investment in the park.

. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a Queens landmark. The park boasts over 898 acres of land, but the Alliance says the park is being neglected. “As stewards of the park, we want to see greater public investment into the infrastructure and maintenance challenges facing this borough’s flagship open space. It has been over 20 years since the last strategic plan was initiated, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park is long overdue for a new coordinated planning effort,” said Rob Carson, media contact at Alliance for FMCP. 

   But some questioned the Alliance’s loyalty to the park. “I find it ironic,” said lifelong Queens resident Margaret Flanagan. “To give away 25 acres of this park for the Metropolitan Casino, which is being built in a floodplain that maxes out our stormwater infrastructure and sewer infrastructure, and does nothing to add resilience to the waterfront.”

   Carson says the Alliance supports the Metropolitan Park development because it will “bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment to Queens.”

   The Alliance wants more public and private funding for the park. “Our concern is that the influx of visitors to the new development will not be met with adequate maintenance support for the parkland outside of its footprint,” said Carson.

   The Alliance for FMCP wants the next mayor to build a ”stronger, fairer, and more sustainable future for this park and Queens as a whole,” said Anthony Sama, the Executive Director of the Alliance. 

   Advocates for New York City Parks explained that Flushing Meadows is one of the most overlooked parks within the city.   “Chronic flooding, deferred maintenance, and outdated infrastructure are the result of decades of underinvestment,” said Kathy Park Price, leader of New Yorkers for Parks Advocacy and Policy work. “As the Center for an Urban Future found, even a quarter inch of rain can shut down large areas of the park for days, and most of the funding over the past decade hasn’t gone to the unglamorous systems that actually keep the park functioning.”

   Shekar Krishnan, the council member for Jackson Heights, shared insights on the unequal treatment of  Flushing Meadows compared with other major NYC parks, based on a recent report from The Center for an Urban Future. “I think it’s 277 times more private investment per acre of Central Park than here in Flushing Meadows Corner Park,” Krishnan said. 

   Krishnan emphasized the lack of green space in Jackson Heights and in Queens as a whole: “In my neighborhood in Jackson Heights, we have the least amount of green space in all of New York City,” he said. “That’s why it’s important when they come here and use the different facilities and play here on the fields, that they feel that our city is treating it as the backyard that it is for millions of New Yorkers.”

   Queens Borough President Donovan Richards called for the city to do more to make “sure that we’re supporting this oasis, Flushing Meadows Corona Park.” With federal support for the city declining, Richares called for greater city investment to send “a clear message to those that seek to divide us. That this is a country and a borough, and a city that will be open to everyone.” He added, “There is no cavalry coming to save us.” 

On October 5, Brooklyn College students, faculty, staff, and community members took part in the first Tree Mapping Party, counting and recording trees on campus, as part of an effort  to make the city grow greener, become cooler, and sustain itself for New Yorkers of all backgrounds. The project supports Forest for All NYC, a program that aims for double the canopy cover on New York City’s five boroughs. The participants help track the health of New York City’s trees through observation.  

After they met at Tow Center for the Performing Arts, the participants grouped themselves and identified trees to collect data and calculated their ecological benefits, also they discussed their history on campus because Brooklyn College was founded. 

Professor of environmental ethics and philosophy Mike Menser, who co-chairs the college’s Sustainability Council, said the inventory gave students a way to connect environmental study with community action. “It’s a profound way of building a relationship with our environment through trees,” said Menser, at the launch of the inventory. “They’re keystone species that sustain everything around us, and by mapping them, we learn to see them as both living beings and necessary infrastructure.” 

Student leader Carina Alessandro is an Urban Sustainability major, who also has a concentration in Environmental Economics. She said her interest in sustainability grew from childhood recycling, and she later developed an interest in climate change. Alessandro’s capstone project provided the basis for the college tree inventory; she was influenced by Forest for All NYC and the City Parks Foundation tree census of New York City. 

Alessandro said her capstone team looked at how other campus communities have completed tree inventories and what tree data would be most useful for urban forestry. They were producing the groundwork for Brooklyn College’s mapping project with this information. She has kept developing it within an independent study of environmental democracy.  

Alessandro underscored her point by referencing the Environmental Democracy Index, which defines environmental democracy as “the idea that meaningful public participation is critical to ensure that land and natural resource decisions adequately and equitably address citizens’ interests.” 

Around 15 percent of Brooklyn College’s land cover is tree canopy cover, one of the highest percentages of any CUNY campus, although still less than the 30 percent goal of the Forest for All NYC project. Alessandro said the new inventory data will show not just which trees need attention, but also where planting new trees will be most effective. Monitoring canopy density and health creates an established baseline of conditions that allows long-term management of the college’s green spaces to reduce heat, flooding, and pollution common in an urban area. 

Trees can be the biggest asset. They cool buildings and reduce energy costs in the summer. Healthy trees and landscaping can increase property values and improve the impression visitors get of campuses upon arrival. At the same time, trees capture carbon dioxide, absorb pollution, and reduce stormwater runoff. 

This saves money, which would otherwise go into expensive infrastructure costs and clean-up. “Environmental benefits can usually be translated into economic ones,” Alessandro said, for the data could allow the college to quantify that savings. 

Participants took the inventory. Then they enjoyed food and beverages with ingredients grown on campus in the BC Eats Garden. Offered fresh oregano from the BC Eats Garden for sprinkling on pizza and homemade zucchini bread from zucchini that was also grown on campus. They pressed fresh apple cider on site, and attendees reflected on the day’s work and the future of sustainability at Brooklyn College. 

Menser closed by explaining that the next step would be to organize it and build a foundation for future work. He also invited people to attend a panel discussion on October 22 at Brooklyn College, titled “What Climate Action Do We Want from the Next Mayor of NYC?” The event features Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Southeast Brooklyn CDC executive director Rona Taylor, NYPIRG, and BC’s Urban Sustainability Program. 

As China increases its commitment to clean energy, climate activists at the September 24th New York Times Climate Forward event warned,\ the United States must increase access to inexpensive renewable energy – or risk its economy falling behind. At the same time, climate leaders described a need to respond to the current U.S. political climate through bipartisan messaging. 

Before a live audience at the Times Center in Manhattan, NYT climate reporter Cara Buckley asked a panel where the climate movement can go in the face of President Donald Trump’s continued attacks on climate science. 

Trump, who called climate change the “greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” in front of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, withdrew the United States from the Paris climate agreement during both his first and second term in office, and passed a budget bill described by longstanding environmental organization The Sierra Club as the “most anti-environment bill in history.” 

In contrast, at the U.N., China announced it will be following a greener path. A day after Trump’s speech decrying climate science, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to cut pollution levels by 10% during the next decade, and to increase wind and solar energy production. While China is the world’s largest carbon emitter, it hosts almost half of the world’s operating wind and solar capacity, according to Climate Council, an Australian independent climate organization. 

During the panel “Climate Activism in the Age of Trump,” noted author and climate activist Bill McKibben warned that if Trump continued to block clean energy projects, the country would soon be seen as the “Colonial Williamsburg of internal combustion.” He added that because the U.S. economy would be unable to compete with other world superpowers having access to cheap renewable energy, this was unlikely to ultimately happen. “The U.S., in the last eight months, is surrendering economic, technological, and probably political primacy to China,” he said.  

Panelists also discussed what the climate movement could take away from the outcome of the 2024 Presidential election. Among them were Manish Bapna, President and C.E.O. of the Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, and Abigail Dillen, President of environmental law nonprofit Earthjustice. 

According to Pew Research polling conducted shortly before the 2024 presidential election, only 37% of registered voters said that climate change was “very important” to their vote. In contrast, issues such as the economy (81%) and healthcare (65%) were very important in considering how one’s ballot would be cast. 

The disconnect between these figures illustrates how climate advocates need to show voters how climate change fuels the rising cost of living, “connecting the dots between climate, between clean energy, and kind of the kitchen table issues that people do care about,” said Bapna. 

According to a study by the Barcelona Supercomputer Center, a research institute in Barcelona, Spain, extreme weather caused by climate change has forced food prices to increase worldwide. The study found that after the western United States faced extreme heat and water shortages during the summer of 2022, the price of vegetables rose 80% in California and Arizona in November 2022. 

As Americans are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change, many in the Trump administration deny that climate change mitigation is in the public’s best interest. During a separate Climate Forward panel, Trump-appointed Secretary of Energy Chris Wright denied that programs to limit the effects of climate change would benefit Americans, saying supporters of the Paris Agreement were “a club of people that have lost sight of the interests of their own people.” 

The Department of Energy recently announced that the department would return billions to the Treasury that had been allocated for clean energy projects under the Biden administration. “The more people have gotten into so-called climate action, the more expensive their energy has become,” Wright said in a press conference on September 24. “That lowers people’s quality of lives and reduces their life opportunities.” 

Attitudes such as Wright’s reflect the partisan divide on the climate change issue. According to 2025 Pew Research polling, only 24% of Republican respondents saw global climate as a major threat to the U.S., compared to 78% of Democrats. 

During the panel, guests discussed strategies on how climate activists could bridge this gap. Dillen described how renewable infrastructure often had bipartisan support, because, in a cost-of-living crisis, “the state regulators who have to face people whose bills are going up are going to keep choosing clean.” She later added that activists needed to not let the narrative around climate change divide people, and instead focus on the real climate-related issues Americans are facing, such as the impact of worsening extreme weather, which she said 30 million Americans report being directly affected by. 

Bapna described how his organization had worked with electricians unions in Ohio to create vocal support for solar infrastructure, adding that the “toxic discourse” in Washington D.C. should not outweigh what was happening on the ground in both red and blue states. 

A 2024 survey by the Global Strategy Group (GSG), North Star, and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) found that 87% of Americans support the Inflation Reduction Act’s federal clean energy tax credits, and 75% agree that solar is good for the economy. 

Delivering closing remarks, the panelists reiterated the need for America to join the rest of the world in investing in clean energy or risk being left behind. “We have a chance to move into a new world,” said McKibben, adding that the United States is the only place resisting this transition. “We’re either going to be left behind, or we’re going to do our job and make the case to the American people that they want to be part of the future too.”

350Brooklyn, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization, hosted their very own “Sun Day” on Sunday, September 21 at Christ Church in Cobble Hill, as a day of action to promote clean and renewable energy.

This event aimed to offer access to affordable solar resources, and provided insights by a panel of experts from both private and community solar programs in Brooklyn, spreading awareness about the current climate crisis at a time when the Trump administration is attempting to walk back renewable energy.

The administration has been taking a step back from the change in direction towards renewable energy. In January 2025, Trump issued several executive orders to promote fossil fuels and called for a review and revision of all agency actions that might “burden” the development of domestic energy resources, by which he meant oil, coal, and nuclear energy resources. Trump has withdrawn the U.S from the Paris Climate agreement, which calls for climate change adaptation and development internationally. Trump has also cut funding on climate research. Also, the Big Beautiful Bill includes restrictions on renewable energy tax credits creating deadlines for solar and wind projects.

 States like California, environmental activists, and groups have filed multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration to combat this usage of fossil fuels and set backs to renewable energy.

“We are living through a very dark time politically, and one of the rays of hope is in solar and wind energy,” said Ellen Driscoll, a 350BKvolunteer, Brooklyn-based artist and retired college professor with a 37-year background in teaching environmental and art classes.

Professor Michael Menser, former director of Brooklyn College’s Urban Sustainability Program, and a moderator during the event, explained that Brooklyn College can install more solar energy systems and assist the community thanks to the New York State’s Building Public Renewables Act and green bond funding available for renewable energy projects at universities and colleges, like City University of New York.

“CUNY can also be a site not just for renewable energy project installation that serves our own energy needs, but can also be of service to the community, just like other public facilities that have solar,” said Menser.

Addressing implementation

Panelist Roy Garzon, residential program manager at Solar One, a nonprofit promoting sustainability, expressed worry that predatory practices by some renewable energy installers are leaving consumers vulnerable to costly installations and unaware of what to look out for. “We have the means to help you in terms of providing technical assistance free of charge, and that’s to advocate for you to make sure you’re getting the lowest price and avoiding these predatory practices.”

Affordability was another issue. Organizers spoke to ways to ensure that low-income families can take part in the shift to renewable energy.

 “In Brooklyn, a lot of us are renters and can’t make those kinds of decisions,” said Susan Augenbraun, 350BK volunteer. “But even folks who can may think they can’t afford it, and it turns out there are a lot of ways to make it affordable and great companies that are already working on that in the community.”

“The fact that solar has dropped in price dramatically in the last couple of years means that it is very hopeful for us all,” said Sara Gronim, Co-leader of 350BK. 

350BK was founded in 2015 by a group of women motivated by their passion to create positive change for the earth’s future after organizing the 2014 NYC Climate March.

The organization tackles the climate crisis through local action, providing opportunities to reduce climate pollution, create employment opportunities for individuals who wish to participate, including families and children and educate people in renewable energy use as an alternative to fossil fuels.

“These renewable forms of energy are our future here and our future is here now,” said Driscoll.

The future of New York State’s energy policy was up for debate at a September 18 NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) hearing at Bronx Community College about the draft of the state’s energy plan. 

The Energy Planning Board is directing the development of the plan as a step toward implementing New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. (CLCPA) The plan is set to go into effect at the beginning of 2026.

The CLCPA is a law that sets ambitious climate goals, including achieving 100 percent zero electricity emissions by 2040 and reducing overall emissions at least 85 percent below levels in 1990.

The hearing attracted people with strong opinions about the plan. Some of those criticizing the plan said harmful emissions from natural gas contributes to high asthma rates, while many who spoke in favor of the plan cited the lack of feasibility of such a switch to renewable resources.

Patience O’Tune, a Bronx resident of over 20 years, opposed continued funding of nonrenewable infrastructure. “The Bronx has the highest rate for asthma, so these increased gas markers will affect people’s health as well as their bills,” O’Tune said. “This is the time to put the Bronx residents first in consideration of any new energy policy.”

The use of nuclear power was also a topic of discussion, with many concerned with the state’s attempt to backtrack its original decision to move away from nuclear power with the closure of the Indian Point nuclear reactor in April of 2021.

 Susan Van Dolson, an activist for Westchester For Change, criticized the plan. “(Kathy Hochul) says New York will not meet the climate goals mandated by law (CLCPA), she’s embracing nuclear power and supporting fracking rejected by the state… Renewable energy is cheaper and creates more jobs.”

 Carl Johnson, a business agent for Plumbers Local Union 1, spoke approvingly of the energy plan. “We need natural gas to keep the prices of everything down…We need nuclear. We also need geothermal energy, it would be nice, but the reality is you would have to make the electrical service line that’s probably 10 times the size of what it is, and it would take the electricians almost 100 years to do that.” Johnson added, “I understand that everybody wants it to be possible for them to plug in their electric car, and they want to get rid of their oil and gas… but the reality is it’s not going to be electric for quite a while., I’m sorry, it’s time to settle.”

Daniel Macintosh, also a plumber’s union member, spoke in support of the energy plan for the time being. “Let’s back up with gas, it does not seem possible at this time to put up the switch. So, I’m very much in favor of all of the above approaches.”

Daniel Chingyu Chu, Senior Energy Planner for the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance and a doctoral candidate at the City University of New York, spoke with dismay about the energy plan, citing concerns that the energy plan goes against the CLCPA. “Nuclear power is the most expensive form of energy on the grid, costing the state double to triple the amount to fund compared to renewables.”

The Energy Planning Board will continue to hold hearings with the public before its final revised version is released at the beginning of 2026. The next hearing will be Monday September 29th at Stony Brook University.

A school yard in the Bronx has recently received a makeover. It has gone from a paved lot with only a small playground structure, to a colorful space with trees, a running track, and even a gazebo with a green roof. It also has the capacity to absorb more than 800,000 gallons of stormwater annually. 

Welcoming the project, the NYC Playgrounds Program Director for Trust for Public Land, Mary Alice Lee, said that the redesign will benefit neighbors of the project, who will be able to visit the park. This includes 47,143 Bronx residents who live within a 10-minute walk of the playground. Importantly, Lee said, the project also helps absorb floodwater.

“Parks are essential for the health of all New Yorkers, and this new community space is a key part of our work to close the park equity gap and increase climate resiliency,” said Lee. “In addition to serving the entire neighborhood with quality park space, this schoolyard will give students the opportunity to learn and play outdoors, while its green infrastructure features will absorb millions of gallons of stormwater that would otherwise flood our city streets.”

The Bronx Latin Campus is just one example of Green Infrastructure in the city. There are a number of similar projects aiming to mitigate flood water, which New York is becoming increasingly concerned with as extreme weather events occur more and more frequently. Other examples of Green Infrastructure in the city include rain gardens designed to absorb rainwater on city sidewalks, permeable pavements that allow for water to be absorbed in the ground, and rain barrels that catch stormwater. 

But although the city is developing various projects, climate experts warn it is still not yet fully prepared for extreme flooding events. 

 “New York City’s state of preparedness is only as good as its physical and social infrastructure,” said Louise Yeung, Chief Climate Officer for the New York City Comptroller’s Office, in an April 22, 2024  press release. “Sadly, the woefully low number of NotifyNYC subscribers, out-of-order catch basin cleaning trucks, and emergency sewer repairs indicate that we’re already behind the tide of the next extreme rainfall event. New Yorkers will be safer if we’re able to better manage and communicate how the City is handling weather emergencies.”

Tropical storms pose a real threat to NYC, and in recent years have even caused deaths among vulnerable groups within the population. In August of 2021 Hurricane Ida unleashed a record-breaking downpour on the City of New York. Thirteen lives were lost in the city as a result of the storm, and most of the victims lived in basement apartments. 

During the storm, the city experienced 3.5 inches of rain per hour, which is double NYC’s sewer capacity of 1.75 inches per hour.  

More recently, on September 28, 2023, Tropical Storm Ophelia caused extreme flooding throughout the city. According to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, the storm caused “flood water coursing through streets and into basements, schools, subways, and vehicles throughout the nation’s most populous city.” Twenty-eight people needed to be rescued during the storm, and unlike in Ida, there were no reported deaths.

After Ophelia, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the extreme weather indicated that the state would need to prepare for a “new normal” of these recurring events. One way the city is responding to extreme flooding is by creating green infrastructure that absorbs and mitigates stormwater, such as the Bronx playground. 

The Department of Environmental Protection’s NYC Green Infrastructure Program aims to provide local flood resiliency. Green infrastructure practices, the DEP said, are designed to slow down, absorb, and filter stormwater by capturing it at the source before it can enter the sewer system or contribute to flooding.

Other examples of Green Infrastructure in the city include rain gardens designed to absorb rainwater on city sidewalks, permeable pavements that allow for water to be absorbed in the ground, and rain barrels that catch stormwater

Dr. Kenneth A. Gould, a Brooklyn native whose research specializes in sociology of the environment, has extensively studied urban sustainability and coastal urban policies and is knowledgeable about the city’s plans to respond to flooding. 

In the past, Dr. Gould recalls speaking with people that would attribute Hurricane Sandy to “an act of God,” and something they hoped would never happen again. 

“Unlike when somebody gets hit with a hurricane in Florida, they know that’s going to happen again. Alright, so even though we got hit with Sandy, I think people think that’s a one off and they won’t have to worry about it long after again,” Dr. Gould said.

Dr. Gould emphasized it is not if, but when, the city gets another storm of a large magnitude. 

“When we get the next ‘Sandy,’ then people may start going, ‘oh this is a thing that happens in New York now, and we have to really think about it,’” he said. 

Dr. Gould has noticed this shift is already starting to happen and events like recent major precipitation and the recent fires in Prospect Park have “raised people’s consciousness” about future threats of similar occurrences.

One particular infrastructure project Dr. Gould has been following is the Rockaway Beach Resiliency Construction Project. 

This project was launched in 2020 and is a part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) $336 million Atlantic Shorefront Resiliency Project which aims to “protect and strengthen the Rockaway community.” 

The initiative, projected to be completed in 2026, includes 14 new stone groins, and the repair of five others, and the construction of a dune system. These groins are rock structures that extend out into the ocean and are designed to trap sand and reduce erosion. 

“They will support sand accumulation, allowing for wider beaches, less erosion, and better protection from storms when complete,” the NYC Parks department shared in a press release. 

“That’s all to protect the boardwalk, which is a cement boardwalk which was meant to be a seawall that they built after Sandy, but now we’re expecting sea level rises and storm surges to be even worse than that. So, this is the second layer of sea barriers that we’re building along the Rockaway,” Gould said.

Dr. Gould noted the complexity the multi-million dollar projects bring to the city, as they drive up the value of real estate in these zones. 

“I think in the long run it’s a bad idea,” he said. “And what that does is then encourage developers to come down and build more buildings behind the sea wall.” 

The Lower East Side Coastal Resiliency Project is another initiative also making strides in protecting the city against flooding while including elements that help the community access open space along the waterfront.  

The ESCR project, the first step in the City’s plan for a larger coastal protection system in Lower Manhattan, is constructing a flood protection system across 2.4 miles of the lower east side, which includes parts of the FDR drive. The system includes raised parkland, creating floodwalls, and floodgates. It will span from E 25th Street to Montgomery Street. 

“While the project is being designed as a stand-alone “compartment” to reduce flood risk between East 25th Street and Montgomery Street, it will tie-in with complementary initiatives in Lower Manhattan, including the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency, Resilient Neighborhoods Study, Con Edison Resiliency, Hospital Row Investments, and NYCHA Resiliency,” The ESCR Community Engagement Team said.

ESCR has multiple community-driven education programs associated with the project. This includes the ESCR to YOUR school program, which aims to spread awareness about the project, and tabling events. They feel that generally, most community members are ready for the change because of their personal experience with previous flooding events. 

Besides flood prevention, the project includes other elements that will benefit the surrounding community, including planting areas and green-roof buildings designed to collect stormwater. 

While New Yorkers may not be as familiar with natural disasters as people from other parts of the country, like Floridians who frequent hurricanes or Californians who experience large wildfires, the city is fighting against time to adapt its infrastructure before the next mass flooding event.

On a rainy Tuesday, Nov. 26, in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, local residents and elected officials came together to express their concerns about a concrete recycling facility on the Columbia Street waterfront. They urged that the Department of Transportation (DOT) relocate the facility to prevent further problems for the community.

In February, the plant was unexpectedly relocated from the South Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park to the Columbia Street Waterfront neighborhood. The move was initially intended to be temporary, to make space for the construction of offshore wind infrastructure. According to Council Member Shahana Hanif, who represents the Columbia Waterfront neighborhood, the plant was supposed to stay there for less than two years.

“This facility opened without warning back in February, with no notice to residents, businesses or elected officials. Since then, the impact has been devastating,” said Hanif. “Neighbors have reported a dangerous increase in truck traffic, constant noise and vibration that shake their homes.” She added, “but most troubling of all, the dust pollution has been coating our homes, our vehicles, and our streets for months. This is not just an inconvenience; this is a health crisis.”

During Hanif’s visit to the facility in July, the agency assured her that the site was being sprayed down with water to contain the dust. She now believes that this is not the case.  

“It’s clear that that was not happening. Given the high winds and extreme dryness, we know this facility needs to be shut down because no matter what they spray on this site it will not protect this community,” Hanif said.

New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes acknowledged that Columbia Street already has a history of “poor air quality” that is affecting local residents and believes that the facility is making the situation worse.

“There’s a reason why we call this long stretch of highway in the neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn ‘Asthma Alley,’ because the air quality here is already bad,” said Gounardes. “We already know that people are suffering from respiratory illnesses. We are now compounding that with this plant continuing to operate the way it is. Their efforts so far have failed.”

William Brattle and Molly Pierson, who have lived across the street from the waterfront for over 10 years, are among several residents who said that the vibration from the construction has caused their home to shake aggressively. As a result, Brattle and Pierson had to have an architect visit three times to ensure their home is safe to live in.

“Our building shakes to such a tremendous degree we had to have the architect come in and look at it,” said Pierson. “It’s terrifying, we can’t sleep at night.” Brattle added, “They might have to take out the floor and ceiling to check the joists to make sure it’s still sturdy.”

Since the facility moved into the area, Brattle claimed that he and Pierson have experienced respiratory issues for the first time in their lives. While he’s unsure if the plant is the cause, it leaves them questioning the possibility.

“I had two upper respiratory infections in the last four months, having never had one in the previous 47 years,” said Brattle. “She’s (Pierson) had bronchitis for the last two months, having never had bronchitis in her entire life. Maybe (the facility) is part of it, maybe not, but we shouldn’t be the ones having to guess and wonder about this.”

Assembly member Jo Anne Simon called for the plant to be shut down immediately. “Tomorrow couldn’t be soon enough to shut this facility down,” she said. The dust “was spreading six or seven blocks, and everyone knows particulate matter is not good for your lungs.”

Following Hanif’s letter to the DOT in September calling for stronger dust mitigation, she, Senator Gounardes, and other elected officials sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams Tuesday night, urging him to shut down the facility and relocate it to a non-residential area by the end of the year at the latest.

The DOT released a statement later that day to reassure those living in the affected area that protective measures would be implemented to address the reported concerns. The statement highlighted that concrete recycling plays a key role in the NYC DOT’s efforts to enhance safety and accessibility.

In response to community feedback, the DOT emphasized their commitment to public safety, noting, “Concrete recycling is an important part of NYC DOT’s safety and accessibility work, and this plant was relocated temporarily to accommodate the city’s critical, climate-saving offshore wind operations. We are taking all the necessary steps to keep the public safe—though in response to community feedback, NYC DOT will be taking new measures to decrease the size of the recycled material piles in this plant and further reduce dust and noise.”

Climate activist group Extinction Rebellion NYC launched a new campaign on November 10th to expose the deceptive practices of greenwashing, which involves companies misleading consumers by falsely promoting their products or practices as environmentally friendly. For example, the food and beverage manufacturer Nestlé has faced scrutiny for greenwashing after they released a statement claiming 100% recyclable packaging by 2025, without clarity on their timeline, targets, or data.  

In the launch of their campaign, Extinction Rebellion NYC gathered climate activists, organizers, and community members on Sunday at Knosis Physiotherapy Wellness in Manhattan. Throughout the meeting, the activists emphasized the urgent need to hold corporations and governments accountable for their environmental claims in a time of escalating climate crisis. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, global carbon dioxide emissions rise roughly 1% each year. “We believe that going after greenwashing supports climate activism throughout the world,” said activist and organizer Matthew Menzies.

Extinction Rebellion, also known as XR, was founded in 2018 by UK climate activist Gayle Bradbrook, motivated by government inaction in the face of growing scientific evidence on climate change. The organization uses nonviolent civil disobedience to gain media attention and pressure policy change for sustainability and the reduction of CO₂ emissions. In the past six years, the movement has expanded internationally into countries including the United States and Australia.

Legislation in New York State prohibits “certain unlawfully deceptive acts or practices involving environmental marketing claims.” Activists for XR NYC argue that though the state has begun addressing greenwashing, many anti-greenwashing regulations across the U.S. remain vague and lack enforcement. They say that this enables corporations to exploit loopholes and market products as environmentally friendly without the appropriate sustainability measures to sustain their claims.

As New York City is a global hub for the media and advertising industry, speakers at the event expressed hope that targeting greenwashing advertisements in the city could create a ripple effect throughout the country. “Organizations have convinced people that they are going green and that there is such a thing as green coal,” XR activist Lydia Woolley explained. This misinformation is part of a dangerous narrative crafted by fossil fuel interests and their PR firms, according to Woolley.

The campaign will target major advertising agencies and brands that market themselves as sustainable while supporting fossil fuel interests. By creating public scrutiny around greenwashing, XR argues that companies will find the practice more of a liability than a benefit. Woolley hopes that “the hassle of greenwashing in NYC becomes more trouble than it’s worth.” 

Currently, the campaign is targeting the environmental consultant Salterbaxter, a business that they say creates misleading advertisements for environmentally harmful companies such as Ford, McDonald’s, and Nestlé. XR hopes that creating negative press for Salterbaxter through acts of protest will discourage business opportunities for the agency from major brands, thus decreasing their outreach.

Members of XR NYC highlighted that stronger greenwashing laws have been passed abroad, including Bill C-59 in Canada. According to the legislation, all businesses operating in Canada must comply with firm regulations and ensure their environmental claims are legally sound to avoid penalties. Menzies expressed hope that their new campaign will lead to similar bills being passed throughout the U.S. 

XR’s vision includes holding government entities accountable for misleading the public on environmental issues. With the impending Trump presidency, Extinction Rebellion argued that their campaign aims to counter government actions that underplay the climate emergency. “The federal government is about to put out a ton of greenwashing lies,” stated Woolley, arguing that “they are manufacturing this idea that we can just let people do whatever they want.” 

Capitalism’s reliance on short-term profits over long-term sustainability renders the private sector unwilling to lead the charge into a cleaner energy landscape, argued author Brett Christophers at the New School on October 26. 

In a conversation moderated by journalist Kate Aronoff, Christophers highlighted points from his book The Price is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won’t Save the Planet alongside historian Adam Tooze. Christophers outlined the financial model capitalist countries function under as one of the greatest obstacles in the transition to renewable energy. 

The transition to renewable energy is essential to mitigate the impacts of human greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide and methane. Burning fossil fuels accounted for 74% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration, with 2023 being the hottest year in recorded history.

In the United States, most electricity is generated with non-renewable energy. According to the Energy Information Administration, fossil fuels accounted for 60% of U.S. electricity generation in 2023. Christophers argues that “electricity generation is right at the heart of the climate problem as it currently exists.”

Though there are initiatives in place to combat reliance on fossil fuels, such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in New York, Christophers and Tooze argued that reliance on the free market and profitability needs to be shifted. Rather than relying on the for-profit private sector, governments need to re-center their focus on the public sector in order to meaningfully combat fossil-fuel emissions. 

Renewable energy technologies are affordable, but the returns they yield are often too low to attract investors. While major corporations like Amazon and Microsoft have committed to 10-year fixed-rate renewable energy contracts, Christophers questioned whether the commitment of businesses is enough to address the economic issues limiting renewable energy’s growth.

In terms of U.S. policy, the Inflation Reduction Act has created tax incentives to promote renewables, aiming to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by about 40% by 2030. While Christophers acknowledged that these credits are a positive step, he expressed concerns about their long-term effectiveness. The IRA’s incentives do not offer the stability or predictability that long-term renewable projects require, meaning the private sector’s willingness to invest remains inconsistent. Instead of relying solely on tax incentives, Christophers suggested that the government could lead renewable projects directly, making it less dependent on the unreliable interests of the market.

Christophers highlighted the limited support available for renewable initiatives in the Global South, where clean energy infrastructure is urgently needed but is often neglected due to insufficient funding. Tooze mirrored these concerns and emphasized that while these regions experience the highest need for renewable solutions, their potential remains underfunded in a market system focused on profit. 

Green space advocates Green Guerillas, LUNGS, and the New York City Community Garden Coalition have called a press conference and rally at City Hall this Monday Oct. 28th at 11:30 a.m., just days after the City Council’s two-day hearing on “City of Yes” zoning changes, which would make it easier to build on city land currently occupied by community gardens. 

 “We are calling on Mayor Adams to exempt community gardens from Executive Order 43 and to reaffirm their protection,” they  announced via a joint Instagram post. “These vital spaces are lifelines for food security, environmental health, and community building.” 

Executive Order 43 was issued on Aug. 21st, 2024. The law requires “city agencies to review their city owned and controlled land for potential housing development sites.” There are currently over 550 community gardens on city property.

“We always have to be vigilant as community gardeners, because we’ve had so many of our gardens basically bull-dozed,” said Magali Regis, a board member of the New York City Community Garden Coalition. “We are aware of this executive order, and this is being proactive to let the mayor know that we are aware that the department of parks is on the list, and he’ll know– don’t take away our gardens,” Regis said.  

Regis and others were especially focused on the Elizabeth Street Garden, which is scheduled to be evicted on October 30, despite pleas to save it from multiple celebrities. “We will also be advocating for Elizabeth Street Garden, because they’re on the chopping block right now,” Regis said. “The city wants to basically destroy it and build ‘affordable housing.’ But, the affordable housing has a clause, the developer is not being totally transparent.

Elizabeth Street advocates said via a social media post that they will be joining Monday’s City Hall rally, and encouraged people to arrive energized, with signs, and wearing the color green. 

“Again, This rally is to protect all community gardens, not just ESG. We’ll be there and we’d love it if you can all join us! Wear your ESG Lions and let’s speak up for gardens across the city,” the post read.  

According to the Elizabeth Street Garden website, the City Council structured the final deal so that the  housing affordability is not guaranteed in perpetuity, as it is in mandatory inclusionary housing. Instead, the loan and the housing affordability is guaranteed for 60 years, with incentives to extend affordability at the end of the term. But it does not require extension.

Those concerned with City of Yes and its implications for New York argue that while it focuses on creating affordable housing, it does not always mandate it. The initiative is broad and will give the city more power to build new housing on green-spaces, something that is already sparse in the city.  

Bernie Conway, a professional gardener at The New York Botanical Garden, believes access to nature is a vital necessity for New Yorkers. 

“Whether it be a small community garden that’s only an acre or just a little lot, when you go into that space you transform, your mind changes and the way you look at the world,” he said.  It’s like taking a different breath, like taking a sigh. Because all of a sudden you’re back where you belong in a sense.” 

Conway challenged people to think holistically and consider how future generations of New Yorkers will be impacted by these changes. 

“I really think we need to push to have more greenspace instead of taking away green space. I understand cities need housing, but you need to have everything that goes along with it. People really need to start looking 10, 20, 50 years down the road,” he said. “You have to look at it as a big system, it’s not just one thing, everything is so interconnected and I think that’s where politicians are missing it.” 

Green spaces enrich neighborhoods by providing fresh produce, educational events for children, and opportunities for city dwellers to get outdoors. 

Abdo Muharam, who works at Azza’s Garden, a commercial garden center in Harlem, is concerned about the impact this new legislation could have. 

“If they’re going to use up that land, it might affect sales,” he said. “It’s very important, a lot of senior citizens, once they hit a certain age, they don’t have much to do. It keeps them busy. And also, you’d be surprised, a lot of young folks, they’re into gardening. It’s very important.” 

The current conflict echoes a similar effort during the administration of former mayor Rudi Giuliani in the late 90s and early 2000s.  In 1998, Giuliani attempted to auction off 114 community gardens. In one instance, on Tuesday Feb. 15th, 2000, Esperanza Garden was uprooted to make way for housing. Thirty-one protesters were arrested. A week later, 200 showed up and stormed the lot where Esperanza Community Garden once thrived.  After Mayor Giuliani’s term ended, the destruction of community gardens slowed, but did not completely stop. 

 If there was a need for housing during the Giuliani administration, there is certainly a need now. According to a New York Department of Housing Press Release, the city’s vacancy rate has dropped to 1.4 percent, the lowest rate recorded since 1968. 

“The data is clear: the demand to live in our city is far outpacing our ability to build housing. New Yorkers need our help, and they need it now,” said Mayor Adams in the press release.

“The Bronx is the greenest borough, and that’s still not enough green space,” Conway countered. “I understand you want to build all this housing, but what about the food deserts you’re going to create?” 

Videos of flooding, landslides, hurricanes, and tornados played on a projector as attendees trickled into a dimly lit conference room at the Brooklyn Heights Library on October 19th. As the room slowly filled, dramatic music played steadily at a low volume and volunteers for the Creative Society told attendees to help themselves to an array of fruits, chocolates, and beverages. 

What was promised at the event? Education on climate change paired with practical methods for preparing for climate disasters. What was delivered? Two hours of speculation by the organizers on the cause and impacts of climate change in ways that are not supported by generally accepted scientific data.

The Creative Society describes themselves as an international project that unites people from over 180 countries. They say they are composed entirely of volunteers with knowledge from 28 years of independent research. Rather than highlighting human behavior and the use of fossil fuels as the primary contributor to climate change and its impacts, three volunteers used Saturday afternoon to argue that microplastics and a shift in the Earth’s core are major contributors to the increase in natural disasters throughout the globe, a theory that contradicts most scientific evidence.

A call center representative for the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library said that there is no background research or vetting process for the programs hosted at the library. Organizations apply to host a program online or fill out an application in person, and if the application seems in line with the library’s values it will be accepted. The Brooklyn Heights branch has been temporarily closed for construction and has not responded to the inquiry for comment at the time of publication. 

Evelina Cherif, a member of the Creative Society, captured the attention of attendees with claims about plastic pollution and ocean heating, suggesting that the ocean is heating the atmosphere rather than vice versa. “The real threat is in a different place… it’s not just air pollution” Cherif said, discussing what she described as the growing influence of microplastics in the ocean. “The ocean has a lot of plastic which traps the heat inside of it… the ocean can no longer cool the planet.”  

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the primary cause of ocean warming is the greenhouse effect, where carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, which is then absorbed by the oceans. NOAA’s data shows that 90% of the warming caused by human-induced climate change is absorbed by the oceans, primarily due to increased carbon emissions, not plastics. 

Though plastic pollution in oceans is a well-documented environmental concern, the argument that plastics are a significant driver of ocean heating conflicts with widely accepted scientific research. Microplastics primarily affect marine life and ecosystems, disrupting food chains and contributing to ocean pollution but they do not generate the kind of heat necessary to alter ocean temperatures on a global scale.

Presenters also speculated on the potential for a series of natural disasters, such as supervolcano eruptions, which the Creative Society claims will be triggered by a shift in the Earth’s core. The organization warned attendees of these threats, stating that supervolcanoes “are waking up,” and arguing that one may erupt within the next 7 years, triggering others throughout the world with the potential to wipe out regions.

While volcanic eruptions can cause widespread damage, the suggestion that supervolcanoes are currently in a state of awakening lacks support from volcanologists. The United States Geological Survey monitors supervolcanoes like Yellowstone closely and reports no signs of imminent large-scale eruptions. The last supervolcanic eruption occurred over 27,000 years ago in New Zealand, and while these eruptions can have catastrophic consequences, they are rare.

The presenters offered brief practical advice on the importance of purchasing emergency survival kits and recommended downloading the Notify NYC app, an app designed to notify residents of potential climate emergencies. The audience was encouraged to think about community survival strategies, with the suggestion that groups of people have a higher chance of surviving a catastrophe than individuals. 

In a world where unconditional love and protection for children should be expected, Reese Barnes and Robert Miller’s stories expose the harsh realities LGBTQ+ youth face in the foster care system, even after a 2012 reform. Both prevailing over abuse and neglect, they illustrate the pressing issues that remain and highlight the need for systemic change to stop abuse in the foster care system.

 “It wasn’t my fault,” said Reese Barnes, 31, who was abused by her foster dad as a teen. “It took a long time to understand that.”

 Barnes was placed in the foster care system when she was 14. By then, she identified as lesbian. She was part of her high school’s Gay Straight Alliance, had queer friends and was proud to be who she was. But when she went back home, she lived in fear to be who she was.

 “He [her foster father] thought he could abuse the gay out of me. I was attracted to girls and that wasn’t gonna change because he wanted it to,” said Barnes, as she stares up to the clouds out front of the LGBTQ+ Center in Manhattan, New York. “I was probably the only kid who couldn’t wait to go to school. I was too ashamed to tell anyone, so I made sure to just look happy all the time so people wouldn’t start asking questions.”

 In 2012, the Administration of Children Services created the LGBTQIA+ Youth Action Plan, that safeguards the wellbeing of queer children in foster care. Recently, New York City Council Committees, Women and Gender Equity, and Children and Youth held a hearing to further strengthen the policies in place.

 Before policies were created for the LGBTQ+ youth, many children in the foster care system were placed in homes that were not affirming to their queer identity. Some suffered in silence which led them to running away or aging out the foster system with nothing but traumatic experiences.

 At 18, Barnes moved in with her girlfriend’s family. Her foster father was aware of where she was but didn’t make any attempt to contact her. The last time Barnes saw her foster dad; he was finishing off a bottle of whiskey.

 “I liked when he drank because he would pass out,” said Barnes. “I didn’t have to worry about him starting a fight or touching me. I never thought I would be one of them, the ones that get abused. I wanted to kill him, but I knew I would go to jail.”

 More than one out of three youths ages 13-20, in New York City foster care identifies as LGBTQAI+. This is substantially higher than the proportion of LGBTQAI+ youth in the general population, according to reports from ACS.

 “What pisses me off is that we are in 2024 and there’s still kids having to deal with mistreatment at these homes,” said Barnes who has adopted 2 children of her own. “They are only taking reports from kids who are 13 and up. What about the younger ones? They don’t think 8-year-olds know when they are being mistreated. My kids know what mistreatment looks like. I try every day to give them the best life.”

 Barnes refuses to acknowledge her birth parents. She has created a timeline of her life that helps her mental and emotional health.

 “My life started when I was able to love myself,” said Barnes “I pick and choose what I want to be part of the timeline of my life. This part of it [being a mom], is the part I will always remember.”

 Robert Miller, 40, was removed from his home and placed in foster care at the age of 7. Miller grew up living in public housing in Brooklyn, NY. His mother would leave for her outpatient drug rehab treatments before he left for school, leaving him to get dressed and make breakfast on his own. When coming home from school, he would often witness his father selling drugs in the lobby of his building. This is what he called a “normal” life.

 “I ended up in the foster care system because my dad got arrested for selling drugs and my mom was a coke head,” said Miller “She would have me pee in a cup so she can use it to pass her drug tests. She would tell me if I don’t BCW [Bureau of Child Welfare] would take me away. I made this normal.”

 Miller’s grandparents intervened and called the police when they noticed how skinny he was becoming every time they saw him. There were days when he only ate half of his school lunch and brought the rest home for dinner. On the weekends, he would eat snacks for lunch and dinner because his parents neglected to cook for him.

 “I had popcorn for dinner a lot of nights. We had food but I didn’t know how to cook. My moms would be passed out on the couch,” said Miller “My grandparents called the cops and that’s when shit started to go down.”

 Miller was placed in a foster care home in upstate New York. He never experienced physical abuse, but he never got medical care for his mental health. After several months, he was allowed to make weekly calls to his mom, which later led to supervised visits.

 “I was able to see my mom once every few months. It was at some building that all the kids go to visit their parents,” said Miller. “It fucked me up because I was all excited on my way to see her but when it was about time to head back, I would just cry. It hurt but the pain was worth it to see my moms.”

 By 10 years old, Miller was slowly coming to understand his sexuality. He would play with his foster sister’s Barbie dolls, which led to him hearing homophobic slurs said around the home by his foster parents.

 “I used to play with my foster sisters’ dolls,” said Miller “I had wrestling action figures, but I played with the Barbies too. It was all the same to me. I knew I was different because I heard my foster mom calling me a fag.”

 During one visit with his mother, he brought one of his sister’s Barbie dolls with him. When his mother saw it, she started screaming at him, causing a scene at the visiting center. Miller’s mother was strictly religious and didn’t approve of the LGBTQ+ community.

 “She [his mom} looked in my book bag and found the doll,” said Miller “She was pissed. She started screaming at me, at my foster parents saying that they are trying to make me gay and that I will go to hell if I played with dolls.”

 Miller was 12 when his father died in jail and several months later his mother passed away from a drug overdose. He attended his mother’s funeral but has no clear memory of that day. There are many things he doesn’t remember that happened throughout his life.

 “Dissociation is common with children who experience traumatic events,” said Keith Garcia, who is a child therapist. “It can take many years, well into their adulthood to start healing.”

 By 2005, Miller aged out of the foster care system leaving him to start his life on his own. Within the first year he became addicted to opioid pills for a short period of time. He was able to get help to put an end to his addiction. He now works with individuals who have aged out of the foster care system.

 “I didn’t want to be my mom,” said Miller “I met someone who brought me to rehab and let me stay with them until I got better. Now, I do the same for the kids aging out the system.”

Greenways are public car-free public roadways that provide a safe way for people to walk and bike without competing with car traffic. In Queens, the New York City Department of Transportation is working with the community to connect shorter greenway routes to create an 18-mile route along the Northern Queens Waterfront. 

On Wednesday night DOT hosted a community workshop about expanding the Queens Waterfront Greenway by connecting Gantry State Plaza and Fort Totten Park with bike paths and walkways. This is one of six greenways being developed across New York City. 

At Glow Cultural Center in Flushing, the room was full of motivated and engaged DOT employees and community members gathered around six tables. DOT staff set up two white boards with questions for people to answer, and asked participants to leave their replies on post-it notes. The first question was, “what would you like to get out of the greenway?” One post-it response read “waterfront,” another said “safe and convenient bike route from Forest Hills.”  

During the workshop, Mya Dutta, a planner with NYC Parks, described how the plan links local public parks like Flushing Meadows Corona Park with other parks, including Astoria and Gantry. 

 “As you know, there are lots of beautiful parks in this area, and we think this is a great opportunity to work together to find some great connections to and through the parks around us,” she said.

Data from The New York City Parks Department Vital Parks Explorer shows that those living near the greenway are currently underserved. According to the program, only 5% of residents in the area of Queens Community Board 3 live within a 10-minute walk of a waterfront, compared with a citywide average of 30%. Theoretically, the construction of this greenway would improve access to these spaces within this district. 

Notably, this greenway would also pass near Laguardia Airport. According to the Port Authority 2023 Air Traffic Report, approximately 40,500 people are employed at the airport. During the workshop, DOT expressed interest in providing a safe way for these employees to commute to work by bike. 

The project is being funded by a 7.24 million dollar federal RAISE grant Mayor Adams received in 2022 for the purpose of expanding greenways throughout the city. RAISE stands for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity.

Jason Banrey, the Queens Deputy Borough Commissioner at DOT, encouraged community members to share information about any issues they’ve had while using their bikes on roads in Queens. 

“Even though this is part of a planning process, myself and the Queens Borough Commissioner team, we have planners that work day to day operations. So, share anything that we can pull from this information and do things now,” he told community members.  

According to Banrey, this greenway project will be completed within two years. This is a joint project between NYC Parks, the Department of Economic Development, and  DOT. 

The main points of discussion were the current condition of bike routes throughout Queens, the plan to build a safer route between Bowery Bay and Willets Point, and what exactly a greenway is. 

“We do think of greenways as primarily a continuous transportation corridor, that continuous piece is very important,” said Emma Maniere, a project manager for the DOT bikes team. 

A popular Queens greenway is the path along the East River in Astoria Park. Maniere described this as an example of the ideal greenway project. 

“That’s kind of the gold standard we’re shooting for,” she said. “It’s continuous, so the ride is more or less seamless and uninterrupted by traffic.” 

New York League of Conservation Voters, NYC Greenways Coalition, and Transportation Alternatives are just a few of the many organizations that campaigned and advocated for the construction of this greenway path. Alexa Sledge, Director of Communications at Transportation Alternatives, expressed excitement for the plan. 

“We’re huge supporters of the greenway and will continue to be, but obviously just one greenway, or even greenways across the five boroughs isn’t enough,” she said. “We also need an entire network of protected bike lanes so people can get where they need to go. The greenway is awesome if you’re starting at a greenway and ending at a greenway, but you need a bike safe lane no matter where you’re going.” 

Data from the DOT revealed 30 people died on bikes last year. According to a Transportation Alternatives press release, 2023 was the deadliest year for cyclists since 1999. 

“We see time and time again that one of the main reasons people don’t bike is they don’t think it’s safe and that’s especially true for women, so having more and safer places to bike is just absolutely critical,” Sledge said. 

There are a number of ways New Yorkers can make their voices heard when it comes to essential transportation needs. Sledge mentioned Transportation Alternative’s activist committees and other activist groups like Rider’s Alliance. She also suggested ways people can start thinking differently about transit activism, such as speaking with neighbors and working with others to start new initiatives. 

“There’s tons of people out there who have really similar goals and are happy to work with you, and align with you, and push forward on these advancements,” she said. 

The workshop was part of a series of public community discussions about the Queens Waterfront Greenway. On Oct. 29th, 2024 the last workshop will be held on Zoom and will discuss all sections of the 16 mile plan to close gaps and improve conditions along the waterfront.

Park Slope resident Joann Amitrano lives in a state of anxiety when it comes to the increased risk of flooding in the neighborhood, regularly checking the chance for heavy rain across multiple weather apps. If her fears are confirmed, she attempts to protect her home by using wooden boards to seal the entrances. In 2023, Brooklyn saw 18 flash flood emergencies, the most flooding the borough has experienced in the past decade, according to Emergency Management’s Hazard History and Consequences tool.  Flash floods are caused by heavy rainfall, a weather event that is increasing in frequency and intensity due to the warming atmosphere from climate change.

On October 1st, residents in Park Slope and surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods came together in the Park Slope Public Library to discuss their concerns about the increased threat of flash floods. The conversation was co-hosted by The City Sponge, Forth on Fourth Ave, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, and Park Slope Civic Council. Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of Emergency Management were also present to offer expertise.

Andrea Parker, executive director of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, underlined that Park Slope is geographically oriented on a hill that extends down into Gowanus, which used to be a salt marsh fed by streams. “The ecology underneath us asserts itself constantly,” said Parker, explaining that it increases flooding vulnerability throughout the neighborhood. Heavy rain that hits 8th Avenue drains downward to 4th Avenue, increasing the flooding vulnerability for residents at the bottom of the hill and nearby Gowanus. 

Parker urged homeowners on higher land to take action by adopting permeable spaces in their yards and on roofs to help absorb stormwater. “We need a lot more uphill solutions,” or downhill issues are going to get worse, she added. Homeowners can implement green spaces such as rain gardens and green roofs, which can reduce the amount of stormwater runoff by up to 90%. 

Amitrano, who lives at the bottom of the slope on 4th Avenue, highlighted that experiencing these flooding risks takes a toll both on her physical and emotional well-being. “Just talking about floods gives me so much anxiety… any time I see the weather forecast that something terrible’s on the way I actually get sick, I get neurotic,” said Amitrano.

Tara Deighan, the Director of Strategic Planning for NYC’s Department of Environmental Protection, highlighted the importance of green infrastructure in flooding prevention, stating that “it reduces sewer overflows, cleans the air, and cleans neighborhoods.” Deighan added that the city is undertaking a project to install porous pavement in Park Slope and Gowanus, which are concrete panels that can absorb rainwater into underlying soil. 

Despite experiencing a rise in flooding, residents in Park Slope exist within “communities of privilege,” according to Jill Cornell, a Community Engagement Specialist with NYC’s Emergency Management Department. In 2022, the median household income in Park Slope was 109% higher than the citywide median, with a poverty rate 50% lower than citywide levels. Additionally, the neighborhood has a predominantly White population of 62.5%, compared to 30.9% citywide.

“The challenge for us as neighbors and community members is to figure out what is our role in inserting equity into our mitigation and our preparedness,” said Cornell, as not all residents have access to the same resources. Equity, according to Cornell, can look like homeowners who live at the top of the hill prioritizing the installation and inclusion of greenspaces on their property. Additionally, residents can get to know their neighbors, as they may live near someone who could benefit from extra support.

Councilmember Shahana Hanif, the representative for District 39 which includes Park Slope, highlighted the importance of looking at the flooding concerns from a broader perspective, as the issue is not isolated to the Park Slope community but extends throughout Brooklyn. Hanif said that there is a lack of legislation on the city level for flood mitigation, and that is one area where she is looking for legislative opportunities, as “the solution can’t just be house by house.”

Employees and volunteers of the Animal Care Centers of New York loaded its van with a handful of the group’s animals and set up outside Buddy’s Dog Den in Williamsburg, for a mobile adoption event last Saturday. Volunteers and employees walked up and down the block with dogs fitted in bright blue “Adopt Me!” vests, encouraging passersby to stop and say hello. Adopters even received a free panini courtesy of Anthony and Son Panini Shoppe for every animal adopted. A sweet scene from afar, but a closer look shows that the city’s animal shelters are in a state of emergency. Events like last Saturday’s are not nearly enough to address the crisis that is overcrowding in New York City’s animal shelters

 The NYACC holds frequent mobile adoption events to bring the shelter to the people and make the adoption process easier and more accessible across all the boroughs. In total, seven kittens, three cats, and two dogs found new homes last Saturday.

“I’m surprised it wasn’t more,” said NYACC Mobile Adoption Coordinator, Tash Iorizzo as they scanned the streets, “Usually we still have a line by now, and it’s a Saturday too.” 

This is becoming an all too common occurrence for the NYACC as the number of abandoned or surrendered animals in the city continues to rise and the rate of the adoption dwindles. This nationwide surge in pet surrenders is pushing the city’s shelters system to the breaking point. The newly opened Queens Animal Care Center location is currently holding steady at over 200% overcapacity, creating an unhealthy environment incompatible with providing animals with proper care. 

Overcrowded shelters create a perfect environment for the quick spread of disease as well as increased dog reactivity. These factors combined with an overwhelmed staff pose a major health and safety risk not just to the animals but humans as well.  

 The NYACC announced last March that, because of overcrowding, it will be forced to suspend animal intakes altogether, regardless of whether the animal is abandoned, stray, or surrendered. However, the non-profit did state that “If you have exhausted all possible options and still need to surrender your dog,” it will set up an appointment to review options. This means that, despite repeated announcements that the organization cannot fit any more dogs in its shelters, it is still taking in new dogs. Dogs that cannot be relocated to other rescues, rehomed, or fostered in are put down.

Between June and August of this year, pet owners surrendered 4,185 pets to the NYACC. Of those 4,185 animals, 9.4% were euthanized. While dogs require more space and more resources, all animals taken in by the NYACC are impacted by the overcrowding, contributing to euthanasia rates.

Shelter halls are cramped, lined with cages stacked one over the other. Kennels that were designed to hold one dog must now hold two, and employee burnout is worse than ever, according to Iorizzo. 

“Our animal care people, the ones that do the real work, have the highest turnover because it’s a miserable job,” said Iorizzo, “It’s soulfully draining.” 

Saturday’s adoption event came just a few months after photos taken by an ex-volunteer were published depicting puppies in dirty kennels covered in their own feces at the Queens facility, sparking media outrage.

“We want people to be outraged, this is an emergency and it’s not being treated like one, but it’s easy to see those photos and be outraged at our shelter workers, when people have no idea what a shelter environment is actually like,” Iorizzo said, “The photos are upsetting, but that’s what puppies do and I wonder why a volunteer would take those photos rather than help.”

This is not the first time the NYACC has come under media fire for poor conditions and mismanagement since taking over the city’s municipal shelters in 2019. Iorizzo, who first joined the non-profit in 2021, agrees that the shelters have been in a state of crisis for years. They say that current conditions are the unfortunate byproduct of an economy in crisis.

Local rescue organizations and businesses are doing what they can to pitch in. Agnes Reichert manages Buddy’s Dog Den, a doggy daycare and grooming business. She says they routinely have been taking in abandoned dogs and trying to rehome them or find temporary placements. 

“We took a dog into Buddy’s a few days ago that was tied to a pole” outside the business, “and there was another one this morning,” Reichert said. 

The NYACC testified at a New York City Council hearing last month held to address the overcrowding. The organization is demanding more support from the city, including legislation to change housing policies that restrict pet ownership. Some landlords charge high fees or have strict pet, breed, or size bans in place that make owning a pet in the city inaccessible for many people. 

“What we’d like to see from the city is for them to work with landlords on these restrictions, a lot of them are ‘breedist,’” said Iorizzo. “’No one will take pitties, and what are the shelters full of?” Iorizzo said.

The non-profit also cited rising costs in veterinary care, which have increased by 38.6% in the last five years, as well as pet food, which rose by 25.8%, as other top reasons for animal surrender. 

“Vet care is out of control,” Reichert said, “I was quoted $19,000 for my dog’s surgery, which obviously I can’t afford, so I’m just going to keep her [as] comfortable as possible until her time comes.”

Another former employee of Reichert’s was unable to find an apartment  that would allow his large dog. Ultimately, Reichert’s employee had to move out of the city so he could keep his pet.

 Iorizzo is not optimistic that animal shelters can expect any relief any time soon. They predict that this problem will only worsen.

 “Just look at the state of the economy,” Iorizzo said, “We do what we can, we waive adoption fees like once a month, we offer services for spays and neuters, but owning a dog is a continued expense.”

“We cannot rescue our way out of this nationwide crisis,” Reichert said, “People can’t afford to feed themselves, let alone a dog, or get it proper medical care.”