Covering Climate: What is the Media Missing?
Wednesday, March 24, 7–8:30 pm EST
350Brooklyn kicks off its Spring 2021 Climate Wednesdays series with “Covering Climate: What is the Media Missing?” It’s the biggest story of our time: the climate crisis. So why aren’t there more full-time climate reporters and more stories connecting the dots between “everyday issues” and the changing climate? What’s the toll from the decline of local journalism, and how does that affect coverage of environmental justice? Hear former NY Times reporter Andrew Revkin, Genevieve Guenther of End Climate Silence, Dharna Noor of Earther and Gizmodo, and Rachel Ramirez of Vox examine what’s lacking in climate coverage and how the media can do better. This series is a collaboration with Brooklyn Public Library. Future events: “(Em)powering Our Neighborhoods: Bringing Green Energy Home” on April 21 and “Financing a Fossil Fuel-Free Future” on May 19.
To attend, register in advance at least one hour before the event begins, or stream it live on YouTube.
April Meeting: Wild Brooklyn: The Natural World in the Big City
Thursday, April 8, 7:30 pm EST
What is “nature” for? Recreation? Contemplation? Supporting biodiversity? Cleaning our air and producing our food? The natural world in Brooklyn is both an important register of the climate crisis and an important counter to it. While Brooklyn has many natural spaces shaped by human hands, it also has some uncultivated spaces. Come to our April meeting when we will explore Brooklyn’s natural world. If you’d like, bring a story or a picture that tells something about your experiences with nature in Brooklyn.
Here’s the link to register.
Beat Back Danskammer!
Monday, March 29, 5 pm EST
Our neighbors up the Hudson are fighting a proposed fracked gas plant in Newburgh. Like the Williams Pipeline, this is yet another effort to expand the use of fracked gas. Building the Danskammer plant would not only increase air pollution for people living nearby but, importantly, goes directly against the intent of our state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The NYS Public Service Commission will hold hearings on March 31. Can you volunteer to testify? If so, register by 5 pm March 29 and get more info at stoptheplant.org.
Join the Break Free From Plastic Virtual Rally!
Thursday, April 1, 7 pm EST
We have an incredible opportunity to pass the Break Free From Plastic Act (BFFPPA), the most robust federal level packaging bill to date. It would mandate that big corporations take responsibility for their pollution, requiring producers of plastic products to design, manage, and finance waste and recycling programs.
350 Brooklyn is co-sponsoring a virtual rally with Oceana and other orgs to rally support for the bill. Sign up here and we’ll see you April 1 at 7 pm!
Climate, Jobs, and Justice Week
April 5-9
NY Renews is gearing up for a big week of action to push both the Climate and Community Investment Act in Albany and the THRIVE Act in Washington. Both of these would direct real money towards renewable energy, good jobs, and environmental justice. Join in! There will be phone calls to make, (virtual) lobby visits to pay, and a big in-person march and rally on Wednesday, April 7. Fill out this form to stay in the loop. Do it for climate, jobs, and justice!
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.
City Action Committee’s mission is to make Brooklyn and New York City leaders not only in climate policy but in the long-term actions and engagement needed to make those policies effective. Current campaigns include: The Renewable Rikers Act, Fighting Peaker Plants, Electric School Buses, Department of Sustainability and Climate Change. Use this google form to connect with City Action.
The Climate Idea Exchange works to deepen public understanding of the climate crisis, breaking it down into manageable topics and showing how to take action locally. We work both independently and in collaboration with Brooklyn Public Library, and we're developing a podcast series. email [email protected].
350BK Families organizes activities that bring children, youth, and their adults together for the climate. Current projects include pushing for the creation of 529 college savings plans that are free of fossil fuel investments. email [email protected].
Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice is a diverse coalition focused on equity, inclusion, justice, and economic and environmental sustainability. 350Brooklyn is part of this coalition, which is working to ensure that the rezoning of the Gowanus area honors the needs of all community members. email [email protected].
Legislation focuses on federal and New York State climate legislation. Current campaigns are NY Renews (to pass the Climate Community Investment Act), the Green New Deal, and stopping the repowering of the Gowanus power plant (with 350BK's City Action). email [email protected].
The Media Committee is 350Brooklyn's all-around in-house media team. This group writes press releases and promotional copy, creates graphics, keeps tabs on 350BK's social media presence, and runs the new 350BK blog. email [email protected].
Stop the Money Pipeline plans and participates in direct actions that pressure financial institutions to stop funding deforestation and fossil fuel industries. We are part of a national movement targeting New York-based corporations, including Chase Bank and BlackRock Investment Management. email [email protected].
Plastic Free works to eliminate plastic pollution and reduce reliance on single-use plastic products. We meet biweekly 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 [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.
