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Hi John |
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The summer soltice is just around the corner, and we have a good summer read, with many opportunites to take action, below. Enjoy! |
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MOVE REDMOND ~ With the FIFA World Cup HERE, bringing exciting energy to our region, we are also expecting larger crowds and heavier traffic. Taking transit is the best way to avoid parking hassles and heavy traffic. As you planyour trip to the World Cupgames,make sure to allow extra time for heavy crowds. Avoid the crowds and take the 2 Line ahead of time, and consider using the new Waterfront Shuttle before the games! The waterfront shuttle will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, through Labor Day, Sept. 7. On match days, service will increase to every 10 minutes to meet higher demand. In addition to the waterfront route, Metro will operate free Match Day shuttles during Seattle’s six World Cup matches. Important notice to all frequent bike riders - to help manage crowds during peak game times, bikes will not be allowed on the light rail. We know this can be frustrating for cyclists, so Sound Transit will be funding three incentives to alleviate the inconvenience: 1. All BikeLink parking facilities will be free to use at all Sound Transit stations during match days. This means anyone with a verified BikeLink account can access secure, individual lockers or bike rooms (such as those at South Bellevue) just by using their smartphone. Check out our reel to learn how to use BikeLink here. 2. For 10 hours on each match day, Sound Transit will be partnering with Cascade Bicycle Club to offer free bike valet services at Downtown Redmond Station and Rainier Beach Station. 3. Sound Transit will be offering free rides on shared micromobility (Lime) by extending its popular Bike & Scoot to Transit program with King County. Check out the Move Redmond website for more great information. 350 SEATTLE/MAKE POLLUTERS PAY CAMPAIGN ~ May has been an unusually warm month in Washington. Wildfire risk is high; we're entering the fourth year of severe drought; and we're still recovering from the catastrophic flooding last winter that cost over $180 million.
These climate impacts are becoming more frequent, deadly, and expensive. And right now, when disasters hit, taxpayers are the ones left footing the bill for recovery and rebuilding. But why should we pay for a crisis we didn't cause? A handful of billionaire fossil fuel companies spent decades polluting our climate. It's time they paid their fair share. That's why we launched the Make Polluters Pay campaign. So we can win new revenue to pay for climate disasters, make life more affordable for working families, and build resilience to coming climate impacts. The fossil fuel industry may have billions, but we have people. And when we organize together, we know we can win. Here's how you can take action and join the movement to Make Polluters Pay today: Join the campaign welcome call on Monday, June 29th, 5:30-6:30 pm! This is a monthly call where you can learn about the campaign and find your place in this movement. This is a Zoom call, join from wherever. Sign and share the petition with 5 friends. And invite those friends to the campaign welcome call! Canvas for petition signatures this summer! You don't need any experience or expertise. We'll provide training and ongoing coaching. And you'll be part of a growing and supportive community fighting for a more affordable and resilient future. Fossil fuel corporations raked in over $30 million an hour in unearned profits in the first month of the illegal war on Iran. Shell announced $7 billion in profits over the last three months. I don't know about you, but that makes my skin crawl. I'm tired of wealthy polluting corporations destroying our future as their executives get filthy rich and we get price-gouged at the pump. It's time to hold polluters accountable. Join the movement to Make Polluters Pay. Together, we can win equitable and progressive new revenue to keep money in our pockets instead of the fossil fuel executives. In solidarity, Aki, Campaigns Director 350 Seattle MAKE POLLUTERS PAY/NO IMMUNITY FOR BIG OIL ~ The Make Polluters Pay campaign is actively organizing to block federal legislation that would grant Big Oil blanket immunity from climate-related lawsuits and state laws. Earlier this month, Republicans in Congress introduced sweeping legislation to give Big Oil immunity from laws and lawsuits seeking to hold them accountable for their role in the climate crisis. Read more about this in our latest blog here! No corporation should be above the law. We must fight to defend our right to hold corporations accountable when they knowingly cause harm. Here's how you can take action right now: Write to your representatives and share the link with five friends. We've crafted a message for you, but encourage you to personalize it. Personalized outreach has a much higher impact. Call your representative. These calls are logged and influence how offices track priorities.
Please continue to take action and share these resources with your friends and family. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment, but we can still win this fight!
OPTION 1: Hey Friend! Can you take a minute to contact your members of Congress? This bill, which was just introduced in Congress, would basically give big oil companies full immunity from state laws/lawsuits that make Big Oil pay for the damage caused by the climate crisis. If you want to call, just ring this number (855-969-5613), and you’ll be walked through the process, or you can send an email here or call your members of congress at these numbershttps://secure.everyaction.com/uyucPzhrMkSmfZGK0CeJvQ2 OPTION 2: Hey Friend! I’m on this action call right now with people from all over the country who are trying to stop the Big Oil Immunity bill that was just introduced in Congress. The bill would basically be a get out of jail free card for big oil companies that are being sued by states for causing the climate crisis. We’re trying to flood the phones and inboxes of members of Congress. Could you send an email or call your members of Congress and tell them to stop Big Oil Immunity? They have some tools that make it super easy! If you want to call, just ring this number 855-969-5613, and you’ll be walked through the process, or you can send an email here!https://secure.everyaction.com/uyucPzhrMkSmfZGK0CeJvQ2
In Community,Sara, Fossil Free Media THIRD ACT WASHINGTON ~ From door-belling for candidates to registering new voters, from your living room to across the country, here are 5 things you can do or sign up for to work on the midterm elections right now. This week TAWA is gearing up to focus on elections, voter registration, voting rights, and more between now and November. We’re excited to share more about our focus areas, opportunities, and actions in the coming weeks. If you have questions or suggestions for ways to act for democracy, contact Chris at [email protected]. NORTHWEST AGAINST NUCLEAR WEAPONS ~ An Ordinary Insanity is a short film (29 minutes, link below) by Oscar-nominated director Judith Ehrlich about the current threat of nuclear weapons. The film features the late Daniel Ellsberg speaking directly and powerfully about the urgent danger posed by nuclear weapons, especially ICBMs, and the need for people to take action to reduce that threat. His journey from national security insider and nuclear war planner to whistleblower, peace activist, and one of the most important voices warning against nuclear catastrophe remains profoundly inspiring. Many have been deeply influenced by his courage, clarity, and moral seriousness. Judith filmed Ellsberg just one year before he died in June 2023. Even at 91, he speaks with remarkable clarity and urgency. Early in the film, he says, “I’ve long said that to my last breath I will be doing what I can to postpone and avert the risk of nuclear war.” https://www.anordinaryinsanity.com/screenings ________ We are proud to support the 2026 Forth Roadmap Conference, taking place September 13–15, 2026, at the Seattle Convention Center in Seattle, WA. We recognize the importance of shaping the future of transportation and accelerating the adoption of innovative, equitable solutions at a critical moment for electric mobility. Roadmap 2026 is where vision meets action. This essential forum brings together policymakers, utilities, automakers, charging providers, community leaders, and industry innovators to connect, share knowledge, and develop strategies to advance electric transportation. The full conference program is available online: https://www.roadmapforth.org/2026/program Learn more and register at roadmapforth.org.We hope to see you there!
______ Today, members of the Trump Administration, such as CIA director Ratcliffe and members of Congress like Senator Tom Cotton, are advocating for a return to nuclear weapons testing, reversing a decades-long global moratorium on explosive nuclear tests. Trump himself made headlines by promising that the US would "immediately begin nuclear testing at the rate of other countries", as members of his administration are accusing China and Russia of secretly conducting explosive tests.
This is cause for grave concern and decisive action. Congress has the opportunity to speak out and move to block any funding that could be used to resume explosive nuclear testing. But they will not act without popular support. Today, we are calling on organizations and leaders, large and small, to join a letter asking our members of Congress to support such legislation.
Will your organization sign on?
Learn more here: https://nwanw.org/stop-nuclear-testing Sign on here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOH-awU0VgeCNg4RrIONKdbhnsPZE0tq_I00y1wIZSiRZyHw/viewform Check out this tracker on Iran War Spending called "Fund Anything But This" BACK FROM THE BRINK ~ Every April, Dr. Bob Dodge, Co-President of the Board of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles (Back from the Brink’s sponsoring organization), calculates the full cost of all nuclear weapons programs to our communities.
For the 2025 tax year, the total U.S. nuclear weapons programs expenditure was $137,230,000,000. That’s more than 137 BILLION DOLLARS.
It’s also a 24% increaseover the previous year, driven by an uptick in Department of Defense nuclear spending and funding for President Trump’s “Golden Dome” project, which many experts say will never fully protect us and could eventually cost several trillion dollars.
At a time when affordability is top of mind for millions of people across the country — when families are struggling with the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and basic necessities — our tax dollars continue to fund weapons that must never be used.
And in this moment of war and heightened global tension, all of this unnecessary spending on nuclear weapons does not make us safer. It only increases the risk of catastrophic escalation while diverting resources away from the things that actually improve and sustain our lives.
Here’s the cost breakdown for some major cities across the U.S.:
SEE HOW MUCH YOUR COMMUNITY SPENT ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS These are tax dollars that are much better spent on human needs. Now more than ever, we must change our national priorities and invest in what truly keeps us safe: healthcare, education, housing, and climate solutions — not nuclear weapons.
At a time when many established systems meant to support our health and wellbeing are being weakened and when so many communities are already being asked to do more with less, the continued expansion of nuclear weapons spending deepens existing inequities. The very existence of nuclear weapons isn’t just a security issue — it’s also an economic, environmental, and social justice issue.
Take action today. We’re sharing these findings across social media and inviting you to help spread the word by reposting. Find our posts on: Together, we can get Washington to wake up and build leadership for a different set of priorities.
Best, Back from the Brink
BELLEVUE JUNE 23rd BUDGET HEARING DETAILS Bellevue PCA chapter is asking for people living inside and outside of Bellevue to just show up in person at the City’s June 23rd hearing on the pending 2027-2028 budget. Bellevue PCA has lined up several speakers to emphasize the need to significantly expand city funding for bold, community-wide decarbonization programs. PCA will hand out green neckerchiefs outside of the council chambers to identify hearing attendees who support this message. It is hoped that the demonstrated success of this budget-boosting effort in Bellevue will be emulated in other local cities later this year. Mark Your Calendar Date: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026. Location: Council Chambers, Bellevue, City Hall at 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. (Bellevue City Hall is across the street from the Bellevue Transit Center and immediately adjacent to the downtown Bellevue Light Rail Station. Council Chambers are at the far end of the long central lobby inside City Hall. Time: Starting 6 PM A city council meeting agenda typically includes a few topics before a public hearing begins. We urge speakers and attendees to be seated at 6 pm, though the budget hearing itself may not start until 7 pm or later. Bellevue PCA plans to sign up its speakers well ahead of the hearing, so they will likely speak early in the hearing. Supporting attendees may choose to leave after PCA’s speakers have spoken, so they need not stay for the full duration of the hearing. Devon Kellogg (Redmond PCA member) urged people to share a petition with friends asking the Washington Building Code Council to update the WA building code this year to require that future homes and buildings be all-electric. (Court Olson concurred). She provided this web link with petition signing details: SBCC_2026campaign_onepager_Final.pdf ·Sharing a web link to sign up for engaging in PNW Climate week activities (July 13th to 19th): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZu8rbBS_8jCvEjMo8KNlnCcbCAxQp4CoZj7f29zR6_lE3yA/viewform This New York Times email (below) reports on a Trump administration event held in Washington, D.C. Please feel free to share with others.
Court
WASHINGTON CLEAN ENERGY COALITION ~ Utility advocates memo E3 RA reportOverview: The memo, written by Energy Economist Cynthia Mitchell on May 14, 2026, provides a critical review of a Fall 2025 Phase 1 Resource Adequacy (RA) study conducted by Energy & Environmental Economics (E3). The E3 study projected a 9-gigawatt (GW) energy shortfall in the Pacific Northwest by 2030 and concluded that clean energy resources would be insufficient to meet this growing need. Key Criticisms of the E3 Report
Proposed Alternatives
Included Media Context
FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE ~ The UN General Assembly has adopted the Vanuatu resolution, welcoming the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the obligations of States regarding climate change! Last year, the ICJ in the Hague ruled that States have an obligation to take all possible steps to avoid causing significant damage to the climate and environment. This adoption by the General Assembly adds even more weight to the ICJ ruling.
Tips for Real Climate Impact Real impact doesn’t always come from large-scale changes. It often begins with small, everyday choices. Here are tips you can use to help the environment, support activism, stay engaged, and make your voice heard. Always remember, we people have the power. Every single action, small or large, is important, makes a difference, and builds momentum. Never doubt that you have that power.
Night into Day Bill McKibben tells us why the thing changing the world this year is… batteries, from cheaper and lighter lithium-ion batteries to new kinds of batteries. As the sun goes down, batteries take over. All the batteries pouring into utility electric grids make solar and wind resources more powerful. How inspiring is that!
XR GLOBAL ~ Dear rebel, It is often said that the lack of climate action stems from the slow creep of climate change. That at our core, humans are animals who respond best to immediate threats and pleasures. But it is also true that the climate crisis triggers our fight-or-flight response. Once in a while, you might see an article touting the best places to live to avoid climate change. The fear of fire or floods in your backyard might inspire you to move to someplace where you and your family will be safe. Despite your connection to your hometown, you might be tempted to flee. The reality, however, is that, as the Conservation Law Foundation wrote, 'there is no safe haven from climate change'. We have seen fires envelope comfortable neighborhoods and hurricanes level secluded communities. If left unchecked, climate change will affect every place on earth, and in the meantime, extreme weather events will continue to catch us unawares. In many countries, the growing number of climate refugees proves this is already the case. Climate change is global, mathematical, and amoral. It has no conception of your family or your home. But if you ever feel as though the world sees your community as nothing more than a group of huddled, frightened animals, please remember that XR Global sees you differently. We see you no matter where you are, no matter if climate change is a distant fear or a present threat. We see you, and we want to hear from you. We want you to share your fears, your needs, and your advice. We can prove to you that like-minded people are closer than you might think, and that together we can turn our desire for flight into a movement to fight the climate crisis and the systems that allow it to unfold. So the next time you feel lost in the storm, let us be your lighthouse beacon. Let us be your gathering place to find friends, resources, and a plan for what to do next. Join us and subscribe to the XR Global Newsletter
ELECTRIFY NOW ~ Recording:Air-to-Water Heat Pumps—Replace Your Boiler! Webinar. Thanks to our panelists Jim Bashford from Spacepak, Mitul Patel from Mitsubishi Electric, and Edwin Reek of Daikin Comfort. Recording - Please find the webinar recording here Handout and Presentation Slides are attached, along with the Q&A and Chat transcripts Please share your feedback about the webinar in this short survey. More information about Buffer Tanks: Since we did not have the time to discuss this in the webinar, below is a response from Mitsubishi on the reasons for and the benefits of a buffer tank in an air-to-water heat pump system:A buffer tank fundamentally decouples the rate of heat production from the rate of heat delivery to the load. The heat pump charges the tank; the zones draw from the tank. The two sides operate independently, which solves a fundamental problem with heat pumps in zoned systems. Benefits of a buffer tank:
When You Can Skip a Buffer Tank:
Panelist contact info if you have further questions about air-to-water heat pumps: Spacepak.com [email protected]@mestek.comMitsubishi Electric[email protected]@hvac.mea.comhttps://www.mitsubishipro.com/catalog/ecodanDaikin Comfort[email protected]https://daikincomfort.com/products/hydronic-systems-altherma Wishing you all the best on your electrification projects! Shannon, Brian & Joe Shannon Wilson Project Manager Electrify Now 503.803.0858 | [email protected]
NORTHWEST ENERGY COALITION ~ recent energy affordability data resources that we can point to in our collective advocacy:
Kind regards,
Charlee Thompson (she/her) Policy Associate | NW Energy Coalition Cell: (618) 315-7775
DAVID ROBERTS/VOLTS ~ Sooner than you think, electricity is going to be cheap, abundant, and boring.
MEDITATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY ~ This may well be the Most Consequential Case in the History of Humanity
RMI ~ Impact Report: Ideas to Lower Costs and Cut Emissions
COLUMBIA RIVER KEEPERS ~ Protect Pushpum - Columbia Riverkeeper
Keep cool, Elena, Emily, Lin, Lynn, Marilyn, and Phil
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