Protecting and improving the community for the people who live and work here

“You must unite behind the science. You must take action. You must do the impossible. Because giving up can never ever be an option.” – Greta Thunberg

From Curbed NY:

The city is forcing a crucial composting program into a rushed relocation

January 16, 2020 Meeting with community

At times contentious, the community struggled with the MTA representatives to find solutions to problems that have arisen since the start of this project – many centering on the lack of direct, time-sensitive communication to avoid misinformation, dangerous conditions, etc.

Thank you to Council Member Chin’s Gigi Li for organizing the meeting and working to get answers.

Our crew observed 5 hawks circling over the BRC!!!

Thank you to Gigi Li of CM Chin’s Office for organizing (and thank you to CM Chin, Congresswoman Velázquez and NYS Senator Kavanagh):

In the front of the BRC Audubon is planning to build a “Demonstration Garden” to show us how we might entice our birds and bees and important insects to remain in the entire park.

Come and let them know what you would like to see!

From “Grist Action Guide”

“…where you put your hard-earned paycheck deserves a touch more consideration. Most major banks invest heavily in fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure — which means that if you put your cash in them, you’re enabling climate change and probably wreaking havoc on someone’s land or water.”

Credit unions are usually better options than major banks, at least in terms of energy investments.

• Profits are member-distributed across the board.
• Their investments tend to be more local and stimulate business within communities.
• By virtue of being member owned, there’s more opportunity for members to dictate the bank’s activity.

Read on to find out if your current bank is a big fossil fuel backer and what you can do to get your cash out of coal, oil, and gas – here.

“Climate Change? Follow the Money”

NYTimes By Lennox Yearwood Jr. and Bill McKibben

“..the money inside the vaults of banks like Chase is driving the climate crisis. Cutting off that flow of cash may be the single quickest step we can take to rein in the fossil fuel industry and slow the rapid warming of the earth.

JPMorgan Chase lent over $195 billion to gas and oil companies.

For comparison, Wells Fargo lent over $151 billion, Citibank lent over $129 billion and Bank of America lent over $106 billion. Since the Paris climate accord, which 195 countries agreed to in 2015, JPMorgan Chase has been the world’s largest investor in fossil fuels by a 29 percent margin…

There are few financial institutions untouched by these climate change-causing investments. Amalgamated Bank, Aspiration and Beneficial State Bank are notable exceptions. Local credit unions rarely have major investments in fossil fuels…

..It makes sense to go after the other center of power, too: the vast financial empire centered in our country. Insurance companies like Liberty Mutual and asset managers like BlackRock have also, through their investments in fossil fuels, enabled climate chaos.”

Congratulations to the Parks Department for getting these done on time and quite beautifully.

Thank you to the Manhattan Borough President and Council Member Chin and Community Board 3 for their steadfast support both financial and political.

It might be two or more weeks before they are available to the public but very glad to have the Park area back for park use hopefully by springtime.

And..eager to move forward to reclaim this building for community use for recreation equipment, community space, resiliency and emergency hub and so much more!

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED:

• Return of the Stanton StoreHouse to active community use creating an engaging and safe hub for all who use the park.
• 1) Programming coordinated by University Settlement in partnership with the Stanton Bldg Task Force, community partners and residents
•  2) Indoors and outdoor activation includes programs in park stewardship, fitness, recreation, ‘green culture’ and education
•  3) Highlights:  Daytime workshops, after-school youth programs, evening community meetings and more 
• Flexibly equipped with storage for gardening and recreational equipment, emergency communications. 

All SDR Park Coalition goals here.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s Office:

The Community Boards play an important role in improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. The purpose of each New York City Community Board is to encourage and facilitate the participation of citizens within City government within their communities, and the efficient and effective organization of agencies that deliver municipal services in local communities and boroughs.

The CB’s responsibilities according to charter – educate yourself on the actual role and responsibilities and authority of Community Boards.

 https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/cau/downloads/pdf/know_your_community_board.pdf 

Also useful guide on details of the job: https://www.manhattanbp.nyc.gov/communityboards/