Climate Ready Workshops and Resources

Education | April 13, 2026

A picture of a globe being held aloft by several people.

QPL's Climate Ready Workshops

QPL's Climate Ready Workshops explore climate change and weather-related events, and how they impact Queens communities.

You can learn about the health implications of climate change and what you can do to reduce their impact; how to prepare for environmental emergencies and protect yourself and your family; how climate-related laws and legislation are addressing climate change; and what you can do to create a more climate-resilient Queens.

Climate Ready is for anyone who wants to stay more informed, like homeowners, renters, business owners, older adults, environmental advocates, and others.

See The Schedule of our upcoming Climate Ready Workshops. We hope that you will join us!

Learn about Queens Public Library's Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 and how the library will promote climate literacy.

Climate Ready is made possible through the generous support of Con Edison.

QPL's Climate Ready Resources

The resources below complement our Climate Ready Workshops. You can use them during our workshops and beyond.

Climate Challenges in Queens
Climate Resiliency in our Neighborhoods
Climate Change Legislation
Environmental Justice
Climate Change & Your Health
QPL Climate Programs and Activities

Climate Challenges in Queens

Find out about the climate challenges facing Queens neighborhoods and the impacts these challenges have on your community.

How Climate Change Impacts Your Community

Queens Memory Podcast: "Memories of Water" (YouTube): Season 4 of the Queens Memory Podcast explores stories of climate change, belonging, and resilience in Queens.

QPL Climate Resiliency Map: Learn about your neighborhood risks, including flood zones, heat risks, and environmental justice areas.

Coastal Flooding

Learn more about coastal flooding in NYC, the risk of flooding in your community, and what flood zone you live in, from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.

Sea Level Rise: Use this interactive map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to see the risk of sea level rise and coastal flooding in your neighborhood.

Extreme Rainfall

What are the risks of flooding due to extreme rainfall in your community? Learn more from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.

Tidal Flooding

What is the risk of tidal flooding in your community? Learn more from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.

Extreme Heat

Learn more about the risks of extreme heat from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.

View New York City’s Heat Vulnerability Index Maps.

Learn about the signs and symptoms of heat illness, and how to prevent heat illness.

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Climate Resiliency in our Neighborhoods

Find out what you can do to create a more climate-resilient Queens.

Reduce your Carbon Footprint

Carbon Footprint Calculator: Learn how much you contribute to climate change! Use this easy carbon footprint calculator from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to simulate the amount of carbon emissions you and your household are producing, and what you can do to reduce both emissions and cost.

Join The Climate Pledge: Join the Pledge to see what you can do to reduce the effects of climate change.

Climate Definitions

Climate Dictionary: Learn the common terms and phrases used in climate change science and legislation.

Climate Data: Learn where climate change data comes from and keep up to date with changing information.

Local NYC Resources & Organizations

Here are a few local climate-related resources and organizations to help you become more climate-resilient in your neighborhood!

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Climate Change Legislation

Stay up to date with current and historic climate change legislation, at local, state, national, and global levels.

NYC Legislation

NYC Climate Mobilization Act: The NYC Climate Mobilization Act was passed in 2019 by the New York City Council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency for certain buildings in New York City.

NYC Department of Buildings: Climate Legislation

NYC Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice: Other NYC Climate Legislation

NYC Climate Law Tracker: Keep up to date with changes in legislation through the Columbia Climate School’s website.

New York State Legislation

NYS Climate Act: New York State’s Climate Act requires New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and no less than 85 percent by 2050, using 1990 levels.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: Climate Change Statutes, Regulations, And Policies

NYS Climate Education Bill: New York State’s Climate Education Bill “requires that public schools provide instruction on climate change, including but not limited to identifying the causes and impacts of climate change on individuals, environments and communities, and learning to evaluate solutions." It was introduced in the NY State Senate in January 2025.

National & Global Legislation

The United States has enacted several pieces of legislation to meet the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, most notably through initiatives funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. Additional regulations have been enacted to protect public health and the environment by limiting pollutants.

United States Climate Alliance: Many state governments have come together to form the U.S. Climate Alliance to ensure a net-zero future by advancing state-led and high-impact climate action.

Paris Climate Agreement: In 2015, 196 nations — including the United States — committed to rapidly take action to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This agreement seeks to reduce emissions by 45 percent by 2030, with a goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Learn More about the Paris Climate Agreement from the United Nations and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

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Environmental Justice

Explore environmental justice organizations and initiatives and find out if you live in an environmental justice community.

What is Environmental Justice?

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights defines environmental justice as "the fair treatment of people of all races, income, and cultures with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, and their meaningful involvement in the decision-making processes of the government."

Learn more about environmental justice from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the U.S. EPA.

Intersectional Environmentalism: Learn guidelines for approaching climate action with intersectional identities and united communities.

Environmental Justice in NYC

Learn more about environmental justice in New York City from the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice.

Find NYC organizations promoting environmental justice and learn how you can participate!

Do You Live in an EJ Community?

Explore this EJNYC Mapping Tool and this interactive map from the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority to find out more about your community.

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Climate Change & Your Health

Learn more about the effects climate change has on your mental, physical, and community health.

Mental Health & Eco-Anxieties

How does climate change affect mental health? (American Psychological Association)

Clean Energy

Greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon emissions, are produced by fossil fuels, which include gasoline, coal, and natural gas. There have been major investments at the federal, state, and city levels to invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, which do not emit carbon emissions, and to retrofit infrastructure to use electricity powered by these renewable energy sources.

NYS Energy Hubs Program

Con Edison: Our Clean Energy Commitment: Learn about Con Edison's commitment to clean energy.

Con Edison: Save With Rebates and Energy Saving Incentives

ENERGY STAR: Checklist of Common Energy Saving Measures

U.S. Department of Energy: Building Energy Audit Template

U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saving Tips