Sustainability Weekly
Fridays are for…
Earth Month, Climate Landmark Lawsuits, Building Sector Emissions, and more!
by Alli DiGiacomo
Happy Friday and Earth Month! Check out the list below of exciting local NYC events planned for Earth Month, which will continue to be updated! CTA is also hosting our own Earth week events such as the Earth Day AIA Architecture and Climate Change Private Boat Tour, and the Global Clean Up Trash Walk Volunteer Event.
If you are looking for things to do this weekend, here are a few ideas for both rain and shine (you never know with this unpredictable spring weather):
Listen: 12 Environmental Podcasts for Earth Day
Watch: Bringing nature to your screen, 5 Free Documentaries to watch for Earth Day, Netflix's Sustainability stories by age group.
Read: Must-read books on the Environment and Climate Change, Books for a Better Planet! 18 Earth-Friendly Reads for Kids.
Visit: Cherry Blossoms in NYC, Birding for beginners, The 13 best parks in NYC (2025)
Keep reading for sustainability news…
EARTH MONTH EVENTS 2025
🌎April 12, 4:00-6:00 PM: Earth Day Clothing Swap with NYC Breakfast Club and Larry’s Ca Phe. Bring clothing items (clothing, accessories, or shoes) in good condition, swap with others, and sip on delicious drinks while you browse and mingle. Any items not swapped will be donated to a local charity! Also, enjoy 15% off your purchase at Larry’s during the event! Location: 135 Woodpoint Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11211
🌎April 17, 12:00-6:00PM: Earth Day Initiative’s in-person Earth Day activities in Union Square Park. Come to talk to science-forward and environmentally conscious exhibitors, meet fellow activists, watch performances and hear speakers in this daylong event.
🌎April 19, 10:00AM - 3:00PM: The Trust for Governors Island Earth Day Celebration features free activities for all ages, including walking tours, an Island-wide scavenger hunt, seedball workshops, a tree stamping art activity, climate tech demos, DJ sets, community science exhibits, and more.
🌎April 19-20, 9:00AM - 5:00PM P.F. Candle Co. Earth Month “Empty Jar” Drop-Off + Workshop. Through April 20, shoppers can drop off clean, empty P.F. jars at any of their retail locations in exchange for punch card rewards (full card = a free candle). An in-store potting workshop at all three of their retail locations where visitors can stop by, grab a plant, and pot it in a reused candle jar—on the house. It's a free, community activation that highlights reuse in a tangible and engaging way. Location: 63 North 3rd StreetBrooklyn, NY, 11249
🌎April 22, 12:30-4:00PM: Queens County Farm Museum holds Bee-a-Pollinator Service Day—a time to volunteer, play a few games and hear from the farm’s beekeeper. Location: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens, NY 11004
🌎April 22, 9:30AM-12:00PM: Earth Day Tree Planting in Bronx Park: Wear protective clothing and bring water bottle; all planting materials and tools will be provided
🌎April 25, 10:00AM-2:00PM: Join GrowNYC’s Earth Month Extravaganza at Union Square Greenmarket! Connect and get to know their passionate team and learn about regional agriculture, composting, and environmental action. While you’re at it, shop local at the oldest and largest Greenmarket in New York City!
🌎April 26, 10:00 AM - 4:00PM: Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day offers environmental programming by City agencies and community organizations along the routes to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability and other relevant topics. All ages, free all day.
🌎April 26, 11:00 AM - 3:00PM: Broadway Celebrates Earth Day. Taking place in Times Square’s Pedestrian Plaza, this free outdoor concert will feature live performances from Broadway stars. Presented by the Broadway Green Alliance, Times Square Alliance, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Location: Times Square’s Pedestrian Plaza
🌎April 26, 12:00-3:00PM: Visit Randall’s Island for the Earth Day Festival, a free, family-friendly event full of activities, live music and art all in the spirit of sustainability. Location: Fields 62/63 & the Urban Farm on Randall’s Island
🌎April 26, 12:30 PM: NYC Breakfast Club x Blue Brown Cafe: Coffee & Walk. A walk to celebrate Earth day for those in their 20’s! Enjoy 10% off your drink at Blue Brown Cafe, freebies, and more! Must RSVP to receive the items. Location: Blue Brown Cafe, 45 Havemeyer Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11211
🌎April 27, 12:00PM - 7:00PM: EARTH LOVE FEST by House of Yes brings together creators, artists, performers, speakers, climate experts, ocean conservationists, sustainable designers, and more to share knowledge, open hearts and inspire action to save our environment. All ages & free. Location: 2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237, USA
🌎April 29, 4:00-8:00PM: Brooklyn Sustainable Building Resource Fair. Co-sponsored by CM Restler and BK Borough President Reynoso, this event is for buildings of all sizes. Learn about heat pumps, solar, weatherization, HVAC, lighting, electric, renewable energy, green infrastructure, and waste management for your building, as well as monetary incentives, financing, and tax credits to help you do the work. Register Here Location: Borough Hall - 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY
🌎April 1-30th, 9:00AM - 5:00PM: Tangle Teezer x The Elk Earth Month. Throughout April, bring in + recycle your old hairbrush at The Elk (*West Village location only) and swap for a free Tangle Teezer Plant Brush! Plus, enjoy a special collab Strawberry Matcha. Location: 128 Charles Street, New York, NY, 10014
T H I S W E E K ’ S T O P S T O R I E S
CHEVRON ORDERED TO PAY OVER $740 MILLION TO RESTORE LOUISIANA COAST IN LANDMARK TRIAL
In a landmark ruling, a Louisiana jury has ordered Chevron to pay $744.6 million to restore southeast Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, a huge moment in environmental litigation against oil companies. The verdict stems from a lawsuit filed by Plaquemines Parish, which accused Texaco (acquired by Chevron in 2001) of decades of environmental damage due to improper oil and gas operations dating back to the 1940s. Jurors found that the company violated state coastal management laws by failing to obtain permits and restore wetlands after drilling, canal dredging, and wastewater dumping, resulting in widespread contamination and land loss. The jury awarded $575 million for land loss, $161 million for contamination, and $8.6 million for abandoned equipment. Including interest, the total restoration amount could exceed $1.1 billion. Chevron has announced plans to appeal, denying responsibility and claiming that some activities predated the 1978 coastal law.
This case is the first of many pending lawsuits against major oil companies in Louisiana, where over 2,000 square miles of land have been lost because of oil infrastructure. The verdict may set a precedent for billions more in potential damages, which will help fund coastal restoration as other previous funds, like from the Deepwater Horizon spill, come to a halt. Criticism comes from industry groups warning of economic and legal risks, while support for the decision affirms the value of Louisiana’s vulnerable coast. Hopefully this will highlight a balance between environmental stewardship and energy interests.
EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR HAVE STOPPED RISING FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020
According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), emissions from the global building sector have stopped rising for the first time since 2020, marking a key turning point in climate efforts. Their Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024–2025 highlights that while a growing number of countries are taking steps to decarbonize buildings, overall progress remains too slow and underfunded to meet global climate targets. 2023 was the first time building construction growth did not correspond with increased greenhouse gas emissions, suggesting they may not be as linked anymore. The sector has achieved a nearly 10% reduction in energy intensity and a 5% increase in the use of renewable energy, thanks to measures like mandatory energy codes, performance standards, and energy efficiency investments.
Buildings are still responsible for 32% of global energy use and 34% of CO2 emissions, largely due to heavy reliance on materials like cement and steel. The report emphasizes that nearly half of the buildings projected for 2050 have yet to be built, and the urgency of adopting progressive building energy codes, especially in developing regions where over half of new construction remains unregulated. It calls on major emitters to implement zero-carbon building codes by 2028, with global adoption by 2035, aligning with the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge. It also calls for the doubling of global investments in energy-efficient buildings from $270 billion to $522 billion by 2030, combined with broader adoption of circular economy practices and workforce training.
TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO BOOST COAL PRODUCTION
In a move to revive the coal industry, President Donald Trump signed 4 executive orders with the goal of boosting coal production and keeping aging coal-fired power plants running. At a White House event surrounded by coal miners in hard hats, Trump used emergency powers to allow older plants slated for shutdown to stay open longer, blaming rising power demand from things like data centers, AI, and electric vehicles. He also ordered federal agencies to expedite coal leasing on public lands, lift restrictions on mining, and promote coal technology and exports. One controversial part of the plan gives coal plants a two-year break from federal rules on toxic emissions like mercury and arsenic that lead to health issues such as heart and respiratory disease, and cause other issues such as acid rain.
Trump repeated his admiration for what he calls “beautiful, clean coal” and emphasized its durability and power, saying it’s the most reliable energy source. But critics say coal is outdated, polluting, and no match for cheaper natural gas and cleaner, fast-growing renewables. The coal industry cheered the move, while environmental groups slammed it as a dangerous throwback that could raise energy prices and hurt public health. Trump also targeted states such as California that have passed climate laws to cut fossil fuel use, ordering the attorney general to challenge them. Governors from the U.S. Climate Alliance fired back, saying states have the right to protect their own environment.
A reminder that coal only accounts for 16% of the United States energy (2023 numbers), and has been phased out due to its safety, environmental impact, and public health issues. The amount of untapped coal in the ground is not nearly as valuable as Trump claims. Coal stocks jumped after the announcement, but analysts remain doubtful that these executive orders will make a lasting impact because of aging plants and market forces favoring gas and renewables that continue to dominate the energy landscape— coal just can’t compete with cleaner, cheaper energy anymore.
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