CCE Blog — Citizens Campaign for the Environment

Social Media Action Toolkit

October 26, 2023

Background

October 26th is National Pumpkin Day! Pumpkins rely on bees for pollination, without bees we wouldn’t have pumpkins. Unfortunately, bee populations have been declining at an alarming rate. This rise in bee deaths has largely been linked to the explosive increase and ubiquitous use of the systemic pesticide, neonicotinoids (“neonics”). To protect the bees, environment, and public health from this toxic pesticide, the NYS Legislature passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act which bans certain uses of neonics that provide no benefit to users but pose the highest risk to bees. Now the bill is waiting to be signed by NYS Governor Kathy Hochul. Join us on National Pumpkin Day in calling on Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act!

Take Action

Post a photo of your own or use a graphic below to your social media. Engage with Governor Hochul by tagging her on social media platforms with a corresponding message about National Pumpkin Day, pollinators, and the Birds and Bees Protection Act.
Share posts as often as you’d like on October 26th. The more posts we share, the more opportunity we have to reach Governor Hochul.

Target

Governor Kathy Hochul

Sample Social Media Posts

Feel free to copy and post these samples to your social media pages. Pair them with an image or graphic for a more powerful post.

.@GovKathyHochul, celebrate National Pumpkin Day by signing the Birds & Bees Protection Act! Pumpkins rely on bees for pollination, without them we will lose this seasonal crop! Neonics are responsible for bee die offs; it’s time NY bans them. #SaveTheBees #NationalPumpkinDay
Over 45% of NY honeybee colonies were lost last year alone. We need to protect bees from toxic neonics or risk losing a seasonal favorite, the pumpkin! Today is #NationalPumpkinDay & @GovKathyHochul it’s time to #SaveTheBees, sign the Birds & Bees Protection Act into law!
Happy #NationalPumpkinDay! All pumpkins are highly dependent on bees and insects for pollination. But with bee populations declining we may see a future without pumpkins. @GovKathyHochul it's time to #SaveTheBees and our pumpkins, sign the Birds & Bees Protection Act into law!
Today is #NationalPumpkinDay! @GovKathyHochul, if you enjoy pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, then you need to #SaveTheBees and sign the Birds & Bees Protection Act. Pumpkins are dependent on bees for pollination and neonics are killing bees at an alarming rate. NY must ban neonics!
Our bees are dying because of neonics. Without bees we risk having a future without pumpkins, which depend on bees for pollination. Today is #NationalPumpkinDay and it’s time for @govkathyhochul to take action by signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act!
Both honeybees & wild bees are essential for the pollination of pumpkins. Declining pollinator populations threaten food production, this is particularly true for pumpkins. For #NationalPumpkinDay, we are calling on @GovKathyHochul to #SaveTheBees by banning toxic neonics!
It’s pumpkin season! Whether you’re carving them, roasting seeds, or cooking with them, remember we wouldn’t have pumpkins without bees. @GovKathyHochul must take to #SaveTheBees and sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act into law! #NationalPumpkinDay
Happy #NationalPumpkinDay @GovKathyHochul! Please sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act. Bees are the most important species and are essential for pollinator limited crops such as pumpkins. #SaveTheBees

Tips and Tricks

Make sure you tag Governor Hochul by mentioning her in your post or tagging her in your picture.
Like, retweet and share other posts about National Pumpkin Day and the Birds and Bees Protection Act.
You can use one of the sample posts above or graphics below!
Post on as many social media platforms as you can - X, Facebook, Instagram, just to name a few.

Graphics

Feel free to download and use any of these linked graphics in your social media posts. You can also use your own photos to show support for the Birds and Bees Protection Act and your love of pumpkins and pollinators!

NYS Health Department Adopts Strongest Drinking Water Quality Standards in Nation for 1,4-Dioxane, PFOA, and PFOS

In a historic decision for drinking water protection, the NYS Department of Health (DOH) officially adopted the strongest enforceable drinking water standards for three emerging contaminants. DOH adopted a drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 10 ppt for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and 1 part per billion (ppb) for 1,4-dioxane, as recommended by the New York State Drinking Water Quality Council (DWQC). The DWQC was established by legislation passed in 2017 to address the issue of emerging contaminants in New York. New York State is the first state to implement a drinking water standard for the probable carcinogen 1,4-dioxane.

1,4-Dioxane, PFOA, and PFOS are known harmful chemicals that have contaminated drinking water supplies across New York. Without a federally enforceable drinking water standards, New York has stepped up and adopted the nation’s strongest standards prioritizing public health and drinking water protections for families, communities, and individuals.

The highest levels of 1,4 dioxane found in drinking water in the Nation are found on Long Island. CCE mapped each Long Island water district and the highest level of 1,4 dioxane found. CCE also conducted independent testing of household products which found 80% of products have detectable levels of 1,4 dioxane, some as high as 17,000ppb. CCE conducted widespread public education campaigns on the importance and critical need for implementing an enforceable drinking water standard.

1,4 Dioxane cannot be filtered out of drinking water using standard home filtration devices. These new enforceable standards will ensure that water suppliers use the necessary treatment and provide for the removal of this harmful toxin. The public made their voices heard by submitting thousands of letters to the Department of Health supporting the creation of safer drinking water standard.

PFAS, which is often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in our environment and bodies, are used in firefighting foam, food packaging, and in many water-resistant, stain-proof, and nonstick product. New York State has experienced some high-profile cases of PFAS contamination in public drinking water supplies, including Newburgh, 5 communities across Suffolk County, and Hoosick Falls, NY. Officials estimate that 23% of public water wells in New York need treatment for PFAS. In 2019, CCE advocated to pass legislation that bans PFAS in firefighting foam. This year, CCE successfully advocated for a law banning the use of all PFAS chemicals in food packaging.

Long Island has been the epicenter of 1,4-dioxane pollution. Of 4,400 water supply systems tested nationwide by the EPA, Long Island has the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane detection, with some water systems in both Nassau and Suffolk containing levels over 100 times the EPA’s cancer risk guideline. 1,4-Dioxane is found in 80% of cleaning and personal care products, including baby products, shampoos, body washes, lotions, and laundry detergents and has historically been used as an industrial solvent stabilizer. CCE successfully advocated for a law passed in 2019 to phase out 1,4-dioxane in consumer products, beginning in 2023.

National Pumpkin Day