Moms are working in New York to fight for clean air and a stable climate. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for mothers to talk to their legislators about their concerns. Please join us in New York, and let us know about your priorities.
65,014
members in New York
How we’re making a difference in New York
New York moms take action.
Here’s what we’ve been working on in the Empire State!
Moms & Mayors
Our Moms & Mayors program connects moms with their mayors and local leaders to improve children’s health and build resilient communities. We educate, empower and mobilize Moms in their hometowns to work with their local elected leaders to implement clean air strategies, reduce toxins in the community, and take action on climate change. We also train Moms to join boards and commissions and urge them to run for office.
EcoMadres
Launched in September 2018, the EcoMadres program brings Latina moms together to address issues of clean air, climate, and toxics that affect the health of Latino children and families. EcoMadres is a collaboration between Moms Clean Air Force and a number of partner organizations across the US.
The program provides comadres with reliable information and solutions through online resources, articles, action tools, and on-the-ground events. Our inclusive community empowers and lifts up the voices of comadres for the benefit of our families and communities. EcoMadres has a vibrant network of state-based field teams and allies across the country.
We host cafecitos around the country that provide opportunities for the communities to discuss air quality and climate change.
Community Health Equity
Moms Clean Air Force is committed to exposing environmental injustices in the African-American community by taking a stand against environmental discrimination, holding legislators accountable for lack of resources, educating communities on their rights and their issues, standing with impacted communities, and fighting for clean air and climate solutions to promote healthy children and healthy communities.
Through our environmental health justice program Community Health Equity, our goal is to advocate, educate, and amplify through partnering with impacted communities and environmental justice organizations on events and resource development. We hold Table Talks around the country, casual gatherings that organize, motivate, and activate volunteers; partner with churches to use our “Breath of Life” Bible Study; and provide information on environmental health issues in African-American communities.
We are a leader in addressing climate change.
In 2019, the New York legislature passed the path-breaking Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This legislation commits New York to achieving 70% renewable energy by 2030, 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, and an 85% reduction of all climate pollution (from 1990 levels) no later than 2050. These are some of the most robust targets for any major economy in the world.
The New York Climate Act is spurring progress toward clean energy, energy efficiency, and zero-emissions transportation in the Empire State. Governor Kathy Hochul continues to convene the Climate Action Council and the Climate Justice Working Group to ensure the state meets its goals and provides an equitable transition for the workforce and all communities to a clean energy economy.
In June 2021, US attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis launched an Environmental Justice Team to fight environmental hazards facing overburdened communities. The team enhances New York’s commitment to environmental justice and is pioneering state-led efforts to enforce federal environmental laws and hold polluters accountable. In March 2022, the Environmental Justice Team had its first major victory after it convicted a major petroleum company for lack of compliance with EPA regulations, and more EJ victories are yet to come.
Our children breathe polluted air.
Smog, or ground-level ozone, is a big issue in New York.
Four out 5 of New York City’s boroughs—Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island—all received a D or F grade from the American Lung Association for ground-level ozone pollution in the 2022 State of the Air report. (Brooklyn does not have air monitoring systems, so there is no way to accurately assess the health risks polluted air can pose in the community.)
But New York’s smog issues extend beyond the state’s largest city. While only 24 counties throughout the state monitor ozone pollution, seven out of the 24 received D or F grades for their ozone pollution. Ozone irritates the lungs, can trigger asthma attacks, interferes with normal lung development, and increases the risk of respiratory infections.
Our lakes are at risk.
New York borders the world’s largest group of freshwater lakes on earth, the Great Lakes. The source of drinking water to more than 40 million people, the Great Lakes are plagued by pollution, rising water temperatures, and erratic water levels, as extreme weather affects evaporation and precipitation patterns. Historically high water levels over the last few years have caused frequent flooding and extreme erosion, threatening vital infrastructure along the lakes’ shores.
Past Events
May 2023
On May 9, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Ali Simpson joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 16 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for pollution from cars and trucks. Read Ali’s testimony here.
On May 9, Moms Clean Air Force Co-Founder and Director Dominique Browning and National Field Manager Ali Simpson joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 15 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on the proposal to strengthen the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Read Dominique’s testimony here and Ali’s here.
On May 2, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Ali Simpson joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 18 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for greenhouse gas pollution from heavy-duty trucks. Read Ali’s testimony here.
February 2023
On February 21, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Ali Simpson joined more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members across the country to testify at the EPA hearing on proposed federal standards for soot pollution. Read Ali’s testimony here.
January 2023
On January 10, 11, and 12, more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 21 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its updated proposal to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations. Moms Clean Air Force Co-Founder and Director Dominique Browning and National Field Manager Ali Simpson offered testimony. Read Dominique’s testimony here and Ali’s here.
February 2022
On February 24, Moms Clean Air Force New York joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 15 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing on its proposal to restore the appropriate and necessary finding of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Moms Clean Air Force Co-Founder and Director Dominique Browning offered testimony. Read Dominique’s testimony HERE.
June 2021
New York moms joined Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from across the country to participate in EPA’s listening sessions on its upcoming oil and natural gas methane rule. Moms Clean Air Force intern Julie Silverman offered testimony. Read Julie’s testimony.
August 2019
Moms Clean Air Force joined the welcome group for Greta Thunberg as she arrived to New York for the September 20 Climate Strike.
July 2019
Members of Moms Clean Air Force New York attended the sixth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
July 2018
Members of Moms Clean Air Force New York attended the fifth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
January 2018
Moms Clean Air Force members testified at a hearing focused on America’s Clean Power Plan in New York City.
July 2017
Moms Clean Air Force New York members attended the 2017 Play-In for Climate Action in Washington, DC, where they met with Senator Schumer’s and Senator Gillibrand’s staff.
May 2016
Wendy Cole, Director of Maple Street School, conducted a Read-In of Every Breath We Take at Maple Street School, 21 Lincoln Rd, Brooklyn, NY.
Moms Clean Air Force New York attended Dear Tomorrow and 100% Campaign’s ‘Toast To The Mamas’ Event in Brooklyn, NY. The event kicked-off a Mother’s and Father’s Day campaign launched by DearTomorrow in partnership with the Solutions Project, Climate Parents and Moms Clean Air Force.
April 2016
Moms Clean Air Force New York participated in two special screenings of Love Thy Nature at Cinema Village. After the screening, attendees enjoyed a Q&A with the film director Sylvie Rokab and a special presentation of “Every Breath We Take”.

Cut Plastic Waste in New York

A Lyme Disease and Climate Change Story

Protecting People Through Strong Petrochemical Manufacturing Rules

Your Brain on Diesel Pollution: Moms Make News

More Diesel Pollution = More Environmental Injustice

"State of the Air" Finds Millions Breathe Unhealthy Air

Out of Gas, In With Environmental Justice

How Bills Become Laws in Your State

Children Are at Risk From Toxic Lead, Especially When Government Fails

The Climate Museum: Culture for Action

App Tracks Wildfires and Air Quality Index

Tree Equity for Climate, Health and Social Justice
2022
2021
2020
- Inside Climate News, Is Trump Holding Congestion Pricing in New York City Hostage?
- ABC News, Poverty, pollution and neglect: How the Bronx became a coronavirus ‘formula for disaster’
- Press Release, Moms in the Great Lakes region are outraged at EPA’s attack on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic: Sabotaging these standards is an unforgivable assault on our health
- New York Post, Trump’s rollback of mileage standards guts climate change push
2019
- Press Release, NY Climate-Striking Youth and Her Mom Join Members of Congress on Capitol Hill as Part of Sweeping Movement for Climate Solutions
2017
- The Buffalo News, Letter: Cuts to EPA will degrade our health, environment
2016
- Albany Times Union, Letter: Energy spending will pay dividends
2015
- The Legislative Gazette, Moms meet with lawmakers in hopes of banning certain chemicals in toys
2014
- The New York Times, The Climate Movement Is About Much More Than Just Climate
- amNewYork, People’s Climate March call for global action ahead of United Nations meeting
- NBC News, Climate Change March Highlights Global Issue
- AlterNet, A Is for Activism: Why I Took My 10-Month-Old to the People’s Climate March
- La Voce di New York, People’s Climate March: le voci della marcia
- Getty Images, MANHATTAN, NY – SEPTEMBER 21