General meeting: Green and healthy schools
Today at 7:30 pm
Decades of disinvestment was already wreaking havoc on NYC public schools, but now the climate crisis is here and schools are woefully underprepared. The Green and Healthy Schools campaign brings together youth, labor, and environmental justice organizations to galvanize green investment in schools. They're calling on Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, and the NYC DOE to invest in our students, teachers, and staff by funding green, healthy, safe, and comfortable schools for children to learn and grow up in—regardless of zip code. Join us to hear from Faiza Azam of ALIGN NY and Avery Cole of Climate Families NYC about what the situation is in schools, what the campaign's demands are, and what action you can take to help. Register to receive the zoom link for the meeting tonight!
New to 350Brooklyn? Come to our onboarding meeting
February 18th at 7pm
We welcome new members every month with a Zoom gathering when we showcase all the many forms of activism you can do. You will learn about the different work groups we have and the ways you can plug in to our actions. It's a relaxed and cheerful meeting, so bring your questions and come! Register online to receive the zoom link.
Join the #StopEACOP teach-in
February 24, 1-3pm
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline would be the largest pipeline project in the world, stretching from Uganda to the coast of Tanzania. If built, it will displace more than 200,000 and poison water for 40 million people. It will also fuel climate change by generating over 34 million tons of CO2 emissions annually! Uganda’s current regime imprisons protestors who speak out against the pipeline, requiring global allies to raise our voices in their name. To learn more, register for a teach-in about the #StopEACOP campaign at Mindspace Williamsburg and meet Ugandan, South Asian and Chinese activists who support the campaign and will march in the NYC Day of Action on February 27th.
Insure Our Future NYC Day of Action
February 27, 3-5:30pm
The Insure Our Future Global Week of Action from Feb 26 - March 3 will spotlight the vital role the insurance industry plays in financing fossil fuels. Everything from extracting, transporting, refining, and exporting requires insurance. Without insurance, fossil fuel companies can't operate. NYers will join with activists from around the country on Tuesday February 27th to name and shame three major insurance companies. Join the PvFF workgroup, #StopEACOP, NYCC, the Sunrise Project, Rise and Resist, Climate Defenders and others as we march together to urge insurance companies to STOP financing climate catastrophe. We will meet at the Central Branch of the New York Public Library (5th Ave. & 42nd Streets) at 3PM and march to Chubb, Tokio Marine (EACOP funder) & AIG.
Albany update and a rally with NY Renews
March 20
The 350Brooklyn State Legislation workgroup charged into the new year with actions to push for the passage of good climate legislation in Albany. We've been to Albany twice already to talk to legislators, helped with call relays, and participated in various webinars and strategy calls. Power Hour devoted three sessions to supporting our bills, and a workshop on writing testimony for the budget hearings generated a raft of eloquent letters. Molly Ornati and Kevin Fisher have organized a taskforce with a dozen members focused on outreach to Brooklyn legislators who are not yet climate champions, email [email protected] to sign up. We are punching above our weight! Next: a huge Albany rally with NY Renews on March 20. Interested? Sign up for the March rally online.
Help us plan 350Brooklyn’s Mermaid Parade debut!
Calling all mermaids! Every year the Mermaid Parade “pays tribute to a century of Coney Island ingenuity, revelry, and pageantry by celebrating the artistic vision of the masses.” And, this year, we’re making our debut! Our theme: the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Be part of 350Brooklyn's first-ever contingent in the parade on June 22 by helping us get the creative juices flowing now. Sign up online to get involved!
Show 350Brooklyn your love
In 2024, we're hoping to grow our recurring donor base! Recurring donations (monthly or quarterly) provide a steady income stream for our climate justice project, allowing us to plan long term. You'll be hearing from us throughout the year with special incentives to join this special group of donors. For February, anyone who signs up to become a recurring donor will receive a small wellness gift of a handmade herbal tea blend and salve from one of our very own 350Brooklyn members. Love is in the air, send some to 350Brooklyn!
Did You Know? Steering Committee news
350Brooklyn is guided by a 14-member Steering Committee, made up of the leads of our various committees and a few other volunteers. We meet once a month to supervise the ongoing activities of the organization, and meet once a year to plan for our common future. At our most recent annual retreat in January we responded to the desire expressed by a number of members for more in-person opportunities. Consequently, we will cut down on the number of monthly general meetings and organize a wider variety of ways we get together, such as activist trainings, community service events, and the Mermaid Parade. (See accompanying article.) Watch this space for more developments! Meanwhile, if you ever have questions or suggestions, you can always reach us at [email protected].
Low on time to fight the good fight? No problem!
Mondays from 12-1pm
Join us on Mondays and some Wednesdays 12-1pm for Power Hour on zoom where we call and email our legislators, and write letters to the editor to push for specific climate legislation (and have fun while doing it!) Register for Power Hour online today to call your elected officials tomorrow!
FROM OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES
Fight plastic in Albany!
February 27
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S4246-a/A5322-a) would require that producers reduce the amount of plastic and nonrecyclable materials in their packaging over time. Beyond Plastics, a nationwide project focused on ending plastic pollution, is organizing a free bus to Albany to lobby for the passage of the PRIRA and Bigger Better Bottle Bill. Come demand producer responsibility in packaging with us! Register for the day of advocacy now.
Call to pass the NY HEAT Act
350Brooklyn is one of many groups teaming up to pass the NY HEAT Act this legislative session, and we need to make sure that our people power triumphs over the fossil-fueled misinformation and opposition to this essential climate bill. Have an hour or two to help out? Food and Water Watch is hosting twice-weekly phonebanks throughout February and March to call climate-concerned New Yorkers and patch them through to their elected officials. Sign up to join the effort online.
Get involved in one of our workgroups!
350Brooklyn is volunteer-powered. At the heart of these efforts are our campaigns and committees. Follow the links below for more information on how to join.
Climate Check Stories and Solutions is 350Brooklyn’s podcast. Each monthly episode breaks down the climate crisis through conversations with local climate activists and community organizers. We discuss individual climate stories and pinpoint policies and local actions that can lead us to a healthier climate and a more just society—from fighting pipelines to working with nature and everything in-between. Email us at [email protected].
350BK Families is part of the Climate Families NYC coalition which aims to make climate activism accessible to parents and families. Our activities bring children, youth, and their adults together to fight for a livable future in age appropriate ways. Email us at [email protected].
Legislation focuses on passing significant climate legislation in Albany and in Washington. We develop relationships with local officials, research key issues, and participate in tactics like rallies and phone relays. email [email protected].
The Media Committee is 350Brooklyn's all-around in-house media team. We write copy, design graphics, run 350BK's social media channels and website, edit our biweekly community newsletter, and oversee creative initiatives like the new 350Brooklyn e-magazine Parts Per Million. Get in touch at [email protected].
People vs. Fossil Fuels/350BK is an action focused-group that works with the national PvFF coalition calling on President Biden to declare a climate emergency, stop approving fossil fuel leases and exports, and support the work of frontline communities across the country. Join us to have fun while we fight the black snake! Learn about the national coalition: peoplevsfossilfuels.org. Email: [email protected]
Plastic Free works to eliminate plastic pollution and reduce reliance on single-use plastic products. We meet monthly via Zoom, and work on a variety of projects including legislative lobbying efforts, campaigns promoting going plastic free, and neighborhood efforts to reduce waste. Email us at [email protected].
No time but able to donate? While we are an affiliate of 350.org, we are programmatically independent and our financial support comes solely from our members. Can you offer financial support, at any level? Donate here.
