Here’s what you need to know: ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

John, we hope you’re staying safe if your area is affected by the wildfire smoke.

And if you’re not in the Northeast, by now you’ve probably seen the viral photos of New York City.

Raging wildfires in Canada have created smog that is covering the country — and drifting into the East Coast. Right now, New Yorkers are wearing masks just to go walk their dogs and flooding the internet with unsettling photos of the city, barely visible under an orange haze.

The cause of these wildfires? Fossil fuels.

Right now, the impact of burning fossil fuels quite literally can’t be ignored — we can see it in the sky and feel it in the air we breathe. We hope that this unnerving moment is a wake-up call for anyone not yet in the fight for climate justice. This is a glimpse for the northeastern US of the havoc that climate change is wreaking even more often and more extremely in other parts of the world. Our movement is as dedicated as ever to ending the era of fossil fuels and driving our leaders to take real action to make the just transition to clean energy.

We need as many people in this fight as possible and there are several different ways you can take action, including:

• Participating in the ongoing Week of Action by finding an event near you. If you’ll be attending an in-person event in an area impacted by the wildfire smoke, please be sure to stay safe by wearing PPE.
• Support our friends in Canada who are caught in the path of these dangerous wildfires. You can learn more about mutual aid fundraisers and sign on to their petition to end fossil fuel subsidies through our 350 Canada team’s blog post.

We’re also dedicated to serving as a resource when climate disasters pose health threats like this extreme air pollution, so we’ve compiled some tips to help you stay safe.

• Avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure, especially if you have a respiratory condition. If you must go outside, wear a high-quality mask or ventilator like a KN95.
• Keep windows closed, seal gaps or cracks in windows or doors, and consider running an air purifier with a HEPA filter or setting up a DIY air cleaner if possible.
• Monitor your symptoms closely. While some mild effects of smoke exposure can be self-managed, consider talking to a healthcare provider if you experience dizziness, chest pains, severe cough, shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), or heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat).
• Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help flush toxins from your system.
• Stay informed about local evacuation orders or warnings issued by authorities. Follow their instructions promptly and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
• Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies, including medications, a first aid kit, and food and water, in case of evacuation or prolonged exposure to smoke.

Enough is enough, John. Canada’s record-breaking wildfire season — and its ongoing effects across the US — is occurring right alongside NEW fossil fuel approvals like Willow and the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which will only make moments like this worse.

This fight is far from over and we’re thankful to have you with us. We hope you’re staying safe and that you’ll join us in taking action however you’re able.

In solidarity,

Team 350