Uptown Chats

EPA Rollbacks Part 1 - The Endangerment Finding

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Our health, environments, and climate action are under attack! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about the recent rollback of over 30 Federal EPA regulations protecting us from dangerous vehicle and climate pollution, including the Endangerment Finding. These hard-earned protections are at risk of being undone, despite being vital in protecting our health, neighborhoods, and in fighting climate fueled extreme weather, especially for environmental justice communities. Special guests include Byron Ramos Gudiel, Executive Director of Center for Earth, Energy & Democracy (CEED) (convener of the Platform for a Just Climate), and Manuel Salgado, Federal Research Manager for WE ACT's Federal Policy Office.

Did one of the topics in this episode pique your interest? Listen to one of our previous episodes to learn more:

Episode 35: A Conversation with EPA Region 2 Administrator Lisa Garcia

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Call our Uptown Chats Hotline at 877-UPTOWN6! You can also email us at podcast@weact.org.

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Energy Justice in New York

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Earth Month! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn more about how energy justice impacts everyday New Yorkers and what WE ACT is doing to defend our landmark Climate Law with help from WE ACT’s Senior Policy Manager for Energy Justice, Eric Walker.

Want to take action to support energy justice in New York?

Ask Your State Legislators to Defend the Climate Act & Fund the Sustainable Future Program: The Renewable Heat Now coalition invites you to email your state legislators, urging them to defend the law and fund the Sustainable Future Program. There’s no harm in asking twice! Take Action
Tell the Public Service Commission to Deny the Fossil Fuel Industry’s Petition: A fossil fuel-backed group has asked a state agency - the New York Public Service Commission - to hold a hearing that could weaken New York's clean energy law. Click here to tell the PSC to deny this attempt by the fossil fuel industry to weaken our climate law. Take Action

Other Resources:

How to Read Your Utility Bill (Con Ed)

Did this episode pique your interest? Check out other similar episodes:

Episode 4: Energy Democracy - Power to the People
Episode 49 and 50: Uptown Chats Book Club - Powerless (Part 1) and (Part 2)

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Healthy Homes First

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Everyone deserves to live in a healthy home! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about WE ACT’s Healthy Homes First campaign and how you can get involved with help from WE ACT”s Federal Policy Director, Anastasia Gordon.

Extra Resources:

Learn more about WE ACT’s Healthy Homes First campaign at healthyhomesfirst.org
Want to dive deeper? Check out our Equitable Principles for Building Decarbonization

Did one of the topics in this episode pique your interest? Listen to one of our previous episodes to learn more:

Episode 23: Energy is Environmental Justice (Wrong Direction Mini-Series)

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Call our Uptown Chats Hotline at 877-UPTOWN6! You can also email us at podcast@weact.org.

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City and State Budget Update

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

March is here and money is on our minds. Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about some of WE ACT’s priorities for the City and State budget this year with help from WE ACT’s City Policy Manager, Caleb Smith.

Did one of the topics in this episode pique your interest? Listen to one of our previous episodes to learn more:

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Call our Uptown Chats Hotline at 877-UPTOWN6! You can also email us at podcast@weact.org.

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Liberatory Finance

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Tax season is here again, which means finances are on everyone’s minds. In this episode, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by Bunny McKensie Mack, CEO & Founder of MMG Earth, to talk about liberatory finance and how it connects to environmental justice.

Did one of the topics in this episode pique your interest? Listen to one of our previous episodes to learn more:

Episode 34: Community Land Trusts

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Call our Uptown Chats Hotline at 877-UPTOWN6! You can also email us at podcast@weact.org.

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New York City Policy Updates: Plans, Compost and More

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

A lot is happening in New York City, especially when it comes to policy. Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about some of WE ACT's priorities for 2026 with help from Caleb Smith, WE ACT's City Policy Manager. Topics include the City's Environmental Justice (EJNYC) Plan, the East Harlem Climate and Community Master Plan, and organic waste diversion.

Check out WE ACT’s 2026 Policy Agenda!

Make sure to subscribe to the WE ACT newsletter for updates, upcoming events and actions you can take!

Did one of the topics in this episode pique your interest? Listen to one of our previous episodes to learn more:

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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WE ACT Federal Policy Office Update

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

This week, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by Weezie Foster, WE ACT’s Government Affairs Manager to share some updates from our Federal Policy Office and talk about some important items on WE ACT’s federal policy agenda for 2026.

Check out some of the resources from WE ACT's Federal Policy Office:

WE ACT produced six StoryMaps including ones sharing the past, present and future of Black History and Environmental Justice.
Want to learn more about the National Environmental Policy Act? Check out this StoryMap titled NEPA Does Not Delay!

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Email us at podcast@weact.org

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WE ACT 2026 Policy Agenda

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

WE ACT’s 2026 Policy Agenda is hot off the press! Join Jaron, Jama, and Briana to learn about some exciting campaigns WE ACT is advocating for in New York State this year.

Check out WE ACT’s 2026 Policy Agenda!

Make sure to subscribe to the WE ACT newsletter for updates, upcoming events and actions you can take!

Did one of the topics in this episode pique your interest? Listen to one of our previous episodes to learn more:

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Email us at podcast@weact.org

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Donate to WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Holiday Special with Leslie Fields

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

The holidays are here again, and this year, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by Leslie Fields, WE ACT’s Chief Federal Officer to share stories from the environmental justice movement, including Leslie’s role in creating our Federal Policy Office in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum made up of organizations across the country!

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Celebrating Our Wins in 2025

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

It has been a difficult year for many of us, but that hasn’t stopped WE ACT from accomplishing some big wins in the name of environmental justice. Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn more about some of the wins for 2025 that we are excited to celebrate.

Want to take action? Check out the links below:

Check out these past episodes related to some of our wins this year:

Fifty First Episodes (featuring Karla Cordero, WE ACT's Chief of Staff)
Energy Democracy – Power to the People (featuring Briana Carbajal, WE ACT's State Legislative Manager)
Extreme Heat: Too Hot to Handle (featuring members of WE ACT's Climate Justice Working Group)

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Email us at podcast@weact.org

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Trash Talk in New York

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Want to hear some trash talk without all of the drama? Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about some emerging policies in New York State to reduce the impact of plastic and other waste materials on the environment and our health, with help from a member of WE ACT's Planning Committee, Danielle Dookie. Danielle also serves on the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board.

Liked this episode? Check out our previous episode on Waste Incineration to learn more!

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Youth-Led Climate Action

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Children’s Environmental Health Month is almost over, but youth-led climate action is still going strong! In this episode, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by Shiv Soin, Founder and Co-Executive Director of TREEage to learn how young people have helped shape the climate justice movement and ways for more young people to get involved.

Want to support climate action in your community? Check out upcoming TREEage events!

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Email us at podcast@weact.org

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Green Healthy Schools

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

October is Children’s Environmental Health Month! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about the Green Healthy Schools campaign with help from Faiza Azam, Climate & Labor Organizer at ALIGN.

Take Action!

Join the Climate Works for All coalition and sign the petition to tell our next mayor: we need Green, Healthy Schools to ensure the future of New York City’s climate, children, education system, and workforce. www.alignny.org/greenhealthyschools

You can also find ALIGN on Instagram: @align_new_york

Learn more about the Green Healthy Schools Report

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Air Quality Monitoring: Congesting Pricing, Pollution and More

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Need some fresh air? Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about air quality monitoring projects in Northern Manhattan and how you can help promote environmental justice in New York with help from Valentina Rojas, WE ACT’s Environmental Health Manager.

Extra Resources:

Learn more about the EJNYC Report
Check out WE ACT’s Air Quality Monitoring Projects

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Email us at podcast@weact.org

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Flooding

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:37:00 +0000

It’s raining, it’s pouring! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn how different types of flooding impact communities across New York, and what is being done to reduce those impacts with help from Tyler Taba, Director of Resilience at Waterfront Alliance.

Guest Information: Tyler Taba, Director of Resilience - Waterfront Alliance

Extra Resources:

Sign up for Notify NYC to get important updates about flooding and other climate-related hazards.
Live in Northern Manhattan? Check out WE ACT’s Climate Ready Uptown Plan

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Email us at podcast@weact.org

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Fifty First Episodes

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0000

It is our fifty-first episode! Join Lonnie and Jaron as they reflect on highlights and lessons from their first fifty episodes of the podcast with the help of Karla Cordero, WE ACT’s Chief of Staff.

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Uptown Chats Book Club: Powerless (Part 2)

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The story continues! Join Jaron and Lonnie for the second part of their first Uptown Chats Book Club featuring a discussion with Dr. Diana Hernandez about her new book, Powerless: The People’s Struggle for Energy. No reading required!

Check out this Uptown Chats Book Club read: Powerless: The People’s Struggle for Energy

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Uptown Chats Book Club: Powerless (Part 1)

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Energy insecurity is real! Join Jaron and Lonnie for their first Uptown Chats Book Club featuring a discussion with Dr. Diana Hernandez about her new book, Powerless: The People’s Struggle for Energy. No reading required!

Note: This is a two-part episode. Stay tuned for the rest of the interview in our next episode!

Check out this Uptown Chats Book Club read: Powerless: The People’s Struggle for Energy

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Renewable Energy of the Future

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the future! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about some emerging renewable energy technologies ranging from totally plausible to way out there with help from Jama Joseph, WE ACT's Communications Associate. Be warned - this one may get a little silly!

DISCLAIMER: This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only. WE ACT does not endorse any of the technologies discussed in this episode. Discussion of investments in any of the aforementioned technologies is fictitious and does not reflect any investments of real monies by WE ACT or any affiliated parties.

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Right Direction Reflection

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

That’s a wrap! Join Jaron and Lonnie as they reflect on lessons from their Right Direction mini-series and share some of their highlights.

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Geothermal Energy and Thermal Energy Networks (TENs)

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:02:00 +0000

This episode is a TEN out of TEN! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about geothermal energy and thermal energy networks, also known as TENs, with help from Jon Furlong, Clean Buildings Campaign Manager at New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV).

Extra Resources:

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Wind Energy

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 26 May 2025 23:10:36 +0000

Are you a big fan of wind energy? Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn more about the growing offshore wind industry in New York and the workforce development that is needed to support it with help from the City University of New York’s Offshore Wind Advisory Network. Special guests include Robert Zandi (Kingsborough Community College) and Alexander Seki (LaGuardia Community College).

Extra Resources:

Learn about the offshore wind industry in New York through CUNY’s Bridges to Offshore Wind program.
Career Skills & Workforce Training at LaGuardia Community College
Offshore Wind 101
Renewable Energy Generation in the U.S. (2023)

Wind Energy in the News:

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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Heat Pumps

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 12 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Pump it up! In this episode, Lonnie and Jaron are joined by Jordan Bonomo from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to talk about how they have been piloting heat pumps in their buildings to reduce their energy usage and improve the comfort of their residents.

Extra Resources:

Heat Pump 101

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Solar Energy

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Solar energy is everywhere! Join Jaron and Lonnie to learn about how New York State is using the power of the sun to help meet its climate goals with help from Stephan Roundtree, Deputy Program Director for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic at Vote Solar.

Extra Resources:

Learn more about Vote Solar!
Check out the Manhattan Clean Energy Hub!

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

Got questions? Email us at podcast@weact.org

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Just Transition

Jaron Burke, Lonnie Portis, WE ACT for Environmental Justice — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Lonnie and Jaron are kicking off their Right Direction mini-series by exploring what it means to promote a just energy transition with special guest Shalanda Baker, Vice Provost for Sustainability & Climate Action at the University of Michigan, and former Director of the Office of Energy Justice and Equity at the Department of Energy.

Resources:

Just Transition: History, Principles, and Examples

You can also listen to this episode on YouTube.

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