42. Adrienne Esposito

Whether battling against Broadwater Energy’s plan to put liquefied natural gas barges in the Long Island Sound, taking local and state legislators to task for controversial legislation or raising awareness about water protection, climate change, toxics and public health policy, Esposito has been a defender of not just LI’s environment but that of the entire region, going on three decades. Recent battles have included Suffolk’s septic problems, Nassau’s disastrous sewage plants, the state of the county’s Western Bays and hydrofracking, to name a few. Whatever the fight, if it means protecting the environment, Esposito will be right out in front.