Because Our Right to Breathe is Not For $ale

Environmental Justice and Sustainable Economic Development Community Organizing Initiative

This project is designed to empower our community to overcome the detrimental impact of environmental degradation. Our organizers work to heighten community awareness, ensure involvement, develop environmental strategies and participatory community planning practices, and promote sustainable development, governmental accountability and environmental justice.

Pollution Reduction Projects - Transportation Alternatives

Through a grant provided by the New York Power Authority, UPROSE purchased 4 new hybrid shuttle buses for the Spring of 2006 which will provide transportation through the community in cleaner, more energy efficient vehicles. Through a collaboration with: the Al-Noor School, the Chinese-American Planning Council, and the Sunset Park Senior Center--our clean air partners--the vehicles will be distributed for use by our multi-national, multi-racial, intergenerational base.

EJ 101

Ongoing community education on waterfront development, land use, brownfields, redevelopment, transportation and air pollution, open space, alternative energy, urban forestry and stewardship, environmental health, decision-making, and of course, organizing.

Urban Forestry

Realizing the significant benefits of trees in reducing air pollution, UPROSE promotes a local community-based urban forestry project. Through building awareness of planting street trees and making accessible the NYC Parks Department free street tree program, UPROSE has helped bring in street trees into Sunset Park which may reduce summer energy bills, reduce particulate matter in the air, provide more greenery and help build a more sustainable Sunset Park.

The Community Sunset Park Greenway-Blueway

The major objectives this project will address are the inter-related issues of poor public and environmental health conditions and the lack of open space, recreational and public waterfront access for residents and workers in Sunset Park. UPROSE is facilitating a community-driven design process for the Sunset Park Greenway-Blueway. Through community workshops and design charettes, the Sunset Park Greenway-Blueway is a unique model of a truly community based planning effort that incorporates community input and needs. Click here to view the community design charette that was put togehter at the October 29th meeting.

Click to view our maps

• % of Persons above 65 Years in 2000.


• % of Persons Under 18 Years in 2000.


• % of Persons of Color in 2000.


• % of Persons Under the Poverty Line in 2000.


• Crash Stat Data Map.


• Demo Persons Above 65 Years in 2000.


• Demo Persons Under 18 Years in 2000.


• Demo Total Population in 2000.


• Demo Housing Units with No Vehicles in 2000.


• Demo Persons of Color in 2000.


• Demo Persons Under Poverty Line in 2000.


• Map 1 Existing Conditions.


• Map 2 Existing Conditions Filtered.


• Map 3 Potential Route and Connector Streets.