Author: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE newyorkeljp

We are a non-profit public interest organization that counsels and represents groups and individual concerns with the preservation and improvement of community environmental conditions. It is possible for citizens to protect themselves and their communities from dangerous and burdensome environmental hazards through knowledge and effective/affordable legal avenues. We believe that environmental justice should be available to all people regardless of race, gender or age. By utilizing our "commando" law techniques we are able to effectively promote the interests of the environmental community.

RESIST FALSE SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE

January 10, 2022

Authored by grassroots, veteran organizers, movement strategists and thought leaders from across our climate and environmental justice movements,​ the third edition of Hoodwinked in the Hothouse is an easy-to-read, concise-yet-comprehensive compendium of the false corporate promises that continue to hoodwink elected officials and the public, leading us down risky pathways poised to waste billions of … More RESIST FALSE SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE

NYC Schools Lack Ventilation to Stop COVID Spread

October 10, 2020

NYC Schools Lack Ventilation to Stop COVID Spread

Environmental Justice Initiative with PEER announces:

For Immediate Release:  Monday, October 5, 2020

Teachers File Complaint Charging Unsafe Conditions in Re-Opened Schools
New York — Many New York City schools lack sufficient ventilation to stem the spread of COVID-19 making them unsafe to reoccupy, as the NYC Department of Education (DOE)’s ventilation protocols are not scientifically valid, according to a complaint filed today on behalf of teachers and staff by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and the Environmental Justice Initiative (EJI). These protocols, and the DOE’s ‘quick fixes’ for schools that do not pass inspections, are NOT protective, but instead create a false sense of security.  The complaint to the New York State Labor Department seeks inspections to determine whether schools are ventilated and filtrated in order to adequately protect teachers, students, and staff from exposure to airborne SARS-CoV-2, … More NYC Schools Lack Ventilation to Stop COVID Spread

Standing Rock North Dakota Pipeline Ruling, DOJ Response

September 9, 2016

Today, a district court judge ruled that the North Dakota pipeline, protested by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and others, could go through. However, in under an hour, the Department of Justice had issued a statement that the pipeline raises serious legal issues, for example under NEPA and related to native american sovereignty, asking for construction … More Standing Rock North Dakota Pipeline Ruling, DOJ Response

Check out: “Pigeons May Predict Lead Contamination, Study Finds”

July 21, 2016

We came across this interesting article in the NY Times. Here is a quick summary. On Monday, the journal Chemosphere published a study that found Manhattan neighborhoods where many children presented elevated blood lead levels had pigeons with elevated lead as well. These study results suggest that scientists may be able to use the birds to … More Check out: “Pigeons May Predict Lead Contamination, Study Finds”

Coney Island’s Amphitheater Construction

June 22, 2016

The NYELJP’s own Joel Kupeferman has been quoted in The Village Voice. The article entitled “Behold: Coney Island’s $61 Million Amphitheater Boondoggle”, talks about the construction of the Coney Island Amphitheater scheduled to open Saturday. The $50 million construction project was opposed by Coney Island’s Community Board in a 14 to 7 vote. The board decision … More Coney Island’s Amphitheater Construction

Summary of NYTimes Artice: Lawsuits Over Baby Powder Raise Questions About Cancer Risk

May 24, 2016

The research began when scientists from Wales, found talc particles in ovarian and cervical tumors. They found this out in 1971. Other studies have found that African American women who use the talcum powder near their genitalia have a 44% higher risk of for developing invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. However, Johnson & Johnson denied this … More Summary of NYTimes Artice: Lawsuits Over Baby Powder Raise Questions About Cancer Risk

TPP Text Released

November 5, 2015

Text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership The text of the Agreement was released by TPP Parties on 5 November 2015 and can be accessed by chapter below. The text will continue to undergo legal review and will be translated into French and Spanish language versions prior to signature. *via New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and … More TPP Text Released

NYELJP Returns to Court to Advocate for Environmental Protection and Park Space in Coney Island

December 16, 2014

Today, NYELJP met nearly sixty clients and supporters at the Kings County Supreme Court for a rehearing on their clients’ Article 78 petition against the City and Developer iStar Financial.  After a rally on the courthouse steps, Executive Director Joel Kupferman, along with Of Counsels Rajiv Jaswa and Seth Korman, argued that the proposed Seaside Park … More NYELJP Returns to Court to Advocate for Environmental Protection and Park Space in Coney Island