SAVE THE DATE!
Albany Rally on 12/11 to Demand Hochul fulfill the All-Electric Buildings Act and Pass the 100-foot Rule Repeal
Thursday, December 11 • 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
State Capitol Building, State St & Washington Ave, Albany NY • Map
Despite passage by the Senate and Assembly, Hochul has until 12/31 to sign the 100-foot Rule Repeal. We all need to sign up here for the free bus and lunch plan to go to Albany on 12/11 to stop Slochul’s dereliction of duty, AGAIN! Repealing the 100-foot Rule will curb rising utility bills, reduce gas demand, and make it easier for utilities to transition to clean energy systems that are better for our wallets, our health, and our future. Join the party and make sure Hochul hears you!
Making Strides: Battery Storage in NYC
Two 350Brooklyn members recently attended an afternoon workshop on BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) sponsored by Solar One. Two weeks later they toured a BESS site in East Williamsburg (seen in the photo). BESS are crucial to the renewable energy transition. They store energy from solar for use at night. They keep highly polluting peaker plants offline by providing electricity when demand is high. They lower electricity costs for everyone. They stabilize the local electrical grid to prevent brownouts and blackouts. Look for 350Brooklyn’s support for BESS in our neighborhoods in the future!
Solar for Renters: 350BK partners with Solar One
Want to get your electricity from the sun but don’t own a roof? If you are a low-or-middle-income renter, Solar One is offering the opportunity to join community solar. Same Con Ed bill but lower bills while helping the planet! Start here to learn more.
Update about 350.org
Recently some of you may have learned that 350.org has suspended much of its US activity. The federal attack on all climate policies has led to reduced funding for climate work generally. However, all the local 350 chapters in the US are fiscally and programmatically independent of the international 350.org, and have a strong Network Council in which strategy and resources are shared. In the face of this particularly aggressive federal assault on climate policy and environmental justice, 350Brooklyn believes its mission is more important than ever and will continue to push forward with vigor and resolve.
Little Sis Report: Daunting news about lobbying in New York
On November 18, the nonprofit public interest research group Little Sis, in collaboration with NY Renews and the Strong Economy for All Coalition, published a troubling report about a surge in lobbying money flowing from fossil fuel interests into lobbying against New York State’s climate laws and regulations. Over the past several years trade groups like the American Chemistry Council and utilities like Con Ed and National Grid have spent nearly $16 million with the outcome that the state legislature and particularly Governor Hochul have “dragged their feet on implementing laws and mandates.” We are seeing the impact of that spending as we struggle to ensure that the mandates of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act are carried out.
FROM OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES
A young monk seal in Hawaii. Photo: NOAA/PIFSC/HMSRP
Protect the Endangered Species Act
The Trump administration is seeking to weaken the Endangered Species Act, which would be yet another give-away to its corporate friends. Biodiversity is critical to a healthy planet and is already under severe threat. A comment period on the proposed changes is now open with a deadline of December 21. Our friends at the Sierra Club have created an easy comment prompt. Send in a comment today!
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.
Arts, Ideas, and Events organizes special events and field trips; identifies topics and arranges speakers for 350Brooklyn member meetings; and creates art, props and costumes for rallies and parades. We welcome your ideas and talents. Email us at [email protected].
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].
Facing the Future: Building Resilience to Climate in NYC is a series of talks, workshops, tours, and conversations about building resilience in NYC in the face of the climate crisis. Volunteers working on this series could play many roles: developing individual programs, finding speakers, securing venues, researching supporting material for web pages, leading sessions or breakout groups, promoting it on social media and traditional media. 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].
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].
Power Hour is a weekly session of phone-calling power. Each week we convene on Zoom to call, email, and tweet at our elected leaders about a different climate or environmental justice issue prioritized by 350BK and our allies. Power Hour is designed to be high impact, but low pressure and low commitment. Join us every week as a way to routinize your climate activism, or come only on weeks when you’re free. 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.
Tenants say they love living in NYC’s first all electric building!
