Uptown Chats

By Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Join Jaron and Lonnie as they explore issues in their community through the eyes of everyday people, and discuss how environmental justice is showing up in the news. It’s not just for experts, it's fo... more

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FAQs about Uptown Chats:

How many episodes does Uptown Chats have?

The podcast currently has 49 episodes available.

Uptown Chats episodes:

December 23, 2024Holiday Special with WE ACT Chair Jeff Jones
In the spirit of the holidays, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by long-time activist and Chair of WE ACT’s Board of Directors, Jeff Jones to tell stories and reflect on this moment in the environmental justice movement.
Guest Information:
Jeff Jones, Jeff Jones Strategies
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions or suggestions? Email us at [email protected]
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31min
December 09, 2024Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working to keep our air, water, and soil clean since 1970. Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn more about how the EPA supports environmental justice with help from the Administrator for EPA Region 2, Lisa Garcia.
Resources:
You can learn more about WE ACT’s Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center supported by the EPA at weact.org/tctac.
Check out the EPA’s EJSCREEN tool to explore maps and data about environmental justice in your area at epa.gov/ejscreen.
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
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37min
November 25, 2024Community Land Trusts
Public land for public good! In this episode, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by WE ACT’s Climate Justice Campaigns Manager, Annie Carforo, to talk about community land trusts and how they can help address the housing affordability crisis in NYC.
Want to get involved? Join WE ACT’s Climate Justice Working Group on the third Tuesday of every month from 7:00-8:00 PM.
Want to learn more? Check out these helpful resources:
Affordable Housing (NYT)
What is a Community Land Trust?
Community Land Trusts Explained
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
Connect with the show:
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32min
November 11, 2024Waste
It’s time for more trash talk! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn more about the history of waste management in New York City and how it impacts environmental justice communities with help from Julio Lopez Torres, a member of WE ACT’s Climate Justice Working Group.
Resources:
Want to reduce your waste? Check out this 3 Step Guide to Zero Waste!
The Absurd Problem of New York City Trash (NYT)
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
Connect with the show:
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36min
October 28, 2024 Wrong Direction Wrap-Up
That’s a wrap! Join Jaron and Lonnie as they reflect on important themes from the Wrong Direction mini-series, and drop some not-so-subtle hints about future episode topics.
Anyone who missed WE ACT’s Webinar on the Implementation of New York State’s Cumulative Impacts Law can find a recording on our YouTube channel.
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
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25min
October 14, 2024Cumulative Impacts
New York and New Jersey have both passed landmark laws to address cumulative impacts. What does that mean for environmental justice communities? Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn how these laws can help reduce pollution with help from Dr. Nicky Sheats, co-founder of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance.
Join our Cumulative Impacts Webinar on October 16, 2024: https://www.weact.org/event/cumulative-impacts-implementation-webinar/
Can’t attend the webinar on October 16? Check out this recording of our previous webinar on Cumulative Impacts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7DdpxQl-8o&
References in the Show:
New York Cumulative Impacts Law
Dismantling Injustice Model Legislation
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
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36min
September 30, 2024Waste Incineration
What’s worse than throwing away trash? Burning it! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn why waste incineration is part of the wrong direction and how it impacts environmental justice communities with the help of two special guests.
Guests:
Chris Tandazo, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance (NJEJA)
Jessica Roff, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)
Extra Resources:
U.S. Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators: An Industry in Decline (Tishman Environment and Design Center)
Where does your waste go? (NYC)
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
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29min
September 09, 2024Biogas
Biogas stinks! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about the impacts of biogas facilities on environmental justice communities in New York City with the help of Willis Elkins, Executive Director of Newtown Creek Alliance.
Recommended Episode: A WE ACT Story - Holiday Special
Check out our previous episode from December of last year about the North River Sewage Treatment Plant, where we talked about how WE ACT formed in response to the siting of that facility. There are some similarities you’ll see between that story and our conversation with Willis.
Extra Resources:
Get Involved with Newtown Creek Alliance
About Newtown Creek Treatment Plant (Brooklyn Paper)
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
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40min
August 26, 2024Nuclear Power Plants
Nothing lasts forever, including nuclear power plants. Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about what happens when a nuclear power plant is decommissioned and how it impacts environmental justice communities with help from two guest speakers from Riverkeeper.
Extra Resources:
Nuclear Power 101
Beyond Indian Point (Riverkeeper)
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
Connect with the show:
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38min
August 12, 2024 Greenwashing
It isn’t easy being green, especially when it comes to energy. Join Jaron and Lonnie as they reflect on recent episodes and discuss the issue of greenwashing in the energy sector.
You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]
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30min

FAQs about Uptown Chats:

How many episodes does Uptown Chats have?

The podcast currently has 49 episodes available.