350 CHICAGO
Your bi-weekly newsletter for all things climate-related
March 31, 2021
Dear friends, readers, and fellow climate advocates,
350 Chicago advocates for fairness and equity for all races, sexual orientations, and creeds and for the needs of future generations to live on a sustainable planet. We promote and fight for the enactment and implementation of policies regarding clean air, water, and land that provide economic opportunity and justice for every person to live safely and securely in their communities.
At 350 Chicago, we were horrified by the wanton killings in Atlanta two weeks ago. Innocent lives and families have been irreparably destroyed due to these senseless acts of violence. The attacks against Asians and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) on March 16 constitute an egregious hate crime. 350 Chicago unequivocally condemns any violence that targets the AAPI community in Atlanta and elsewhere.
Violence against members of the AAPI community is nothing new and has been rising significantly since the start of the pandemic. Derogatory and demeaning rhetoric from the previous administration and its enablers clearly created an atmosphere of hatred and encouraged the nearly 32% increase in attacks over the past year.
While building our organization, 350 Chicago has been designing, developing, and implementing measures to make our organization actively anti-racist, including extensive and ongoing outreach to environmental justice groups, communities of color, and the creation of our DEI task force to discuss such issues of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in our organization.
If you have any tips or feedback for us, please let us know.
In solidarity,
- The 350 Chicago Team
Interested in writing for the newsletter or joining our meetings to drive change? Contact us at [email protected].
350 Chicago - Clean Energy Jobs Act Forum
Date: Thursday, April 8th
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm CST
Where: Zoom
Registration Link: CEJA Forum Registration
350 Chicago will be hosting a moderated forum on the Clean Energy Jobs Act! We are so proud to be taking this next step in our growth as an organization to fight the climate crisis.
The forum will feature three distinguished panelists: Daniel Didech, 59th district representative; Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council; and Kari Lydersen, a reporter for Midwest Energy News and lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill Graduate School of Journalism. The panelists will discuss the challenges of developing and passing the legislation through the Illinois State House and Senate.
This discussion will be followed by a question and answer session, along with actions for individuals and organizations to take to further educate, organize, and advocate for the passing of the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
To register for the event, please use the following link: CEJA Forum Registration.
Virtual Environment and CEJA Lobby Day
Date: Monday, April 26th
Where: Zoom
Registration Link: Virtual Lobby Day Registration
Illinois’ lawmakers are back to work, which means it’s time for Illinoisans to make their voices heard on the environmental issues that matter to them. From clean water and clean energy to equitable and sustainable land use, now’s your chance to put these issues front of mind for the lawmakers elected to serve you!
Register to join environmentalists from across the state in meeting with their legislators and lobbying for the IL Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), lead-free water, and an equitable process for zoning throughout the state.
To register for the event, please use the following link:
Virtual Lobby Day Registration.
350 Chicago Earth Day Trivia Night on Zoom
Date: Thursday, April 22nd
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Where: Zoom
Buy tickets today: Earth Day Trivia Night Tickets
You can buy an individual admission for $20 or a household admission for $40.
Spend an exciting evening with friends and family guessing the answers to questions and winning prizes. Tickets are available for individuals and households, and the top winning individual or teams will earn gift certificates to Patagonia.
1st Place: $100 gift certificate
2nd Place: $50 gift certificate
3rd Place: $25 gift certificate
Join 350 Chicago for a lot of fun, some laughs, and a short update about our chapter activities.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Upcoming 350 Chicago Meetings & Events
Please contact committee leads or [email protected] for assistance with remote meeting arrangements.
350 Chicago - Clean Energy Jobs Act Forum
Thursday, April 8, 7:00pm - 8:30pm CST
Register to join environmentalists from across the state in meeting with their legislators and lobbying for the IL Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), lead-free water, and an equitable process for zoning throughout the state.
WHAT: CEJA Forum
WHEN: April 8, 7:00 - 8:30pm CST (US and Canada)
WHERE: Zoom Online
350 Chicago VIRTUAL Monthly Meeting
Greenline Homes
Saturday, April 10, 10:00am CST
Please join us via Zoom on April 10th to hear from Benjamin Van Horne, founder of Greenline Homes.
Greenline Homes of Chicago builds high-performance urban homes that are well designed, sustainable, highly energy efficient, ultra-comfortable, simple to maintain, and beautiful. These urban homes are constructed without displacement in former "redlined" and disinvested areas, mainly in Bronzeville and Woodlawn. These homes are also net-zero energy and produce more energy than they consume — through solar energy, high levels of insulation, air sealing, and carefully selected mechanicals and appliances — to deliver a better quality of life and lower cost for homeowners and communities.
Join us to hear more about the structure of their homes and their mission in Chicago.
Website: https://www.greenlinehomes.com/
WHAT: 350 Chicago Monthly Meeting
WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 10:00am CST (US and Canada)
WHERE: Zoom Online
We’ll also be posting a recording of the meeting to our YouTube channel
in case you missed it.
350 Chicago Committees - Get Involved!
350 Chicago Research Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 13, 6:00pm CST
Are you interested in getting involved with our group’s research efforts? We have plenty of projects in progress, including research on Chicago climate policy, nuclear energy, right-to-repair legislation, green hydrogen, and divestment. Please join us!
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, this meeting will be hosted via Google Hangouts.
Contact Alex McLeese for meeting access information and/or if you have any questions or would like to join us via Google Meetings.
350 Chicago Outreach Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 21, 6:00pm CST
Interested in getting involved in coalition-building and other grassroots efforts? We will discuss outreach to ally organizations, grassroots tactics to promote the Clean Energy Jobs Act, and strategies for building support for our divestment campaign. We hope to see you soon!
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, this meeting will be hosted via Google Hangouts.
Contact Alex McLeese for meeting access information and/or if you have any questions or would like to join us via Google Meetings.
Editors’ Picks
A list of top picks from our editors...
“A bold agenda”: Hopes Rise
for US Climate Change Reversal as Deb Haaland Sworn In
Experts say new interior secretary will renew focus on
climate emergency and public lands after years of cuts under Trump.
Read article on The Guardian
"A Climate for Change: Meeting Investor Demand for
Climate and ESG Information at the SEC"
Acting SEC Chair Allison Herren Lee speaks on the enhanced focus the SEC has brought to climate change, as well as on the significant work that remains.
Read article on Securities & Exchange Commission website
"Elizabeth Warren and AOC Lay Down Climate Challenge to Biden"
Their bill aims to electrify bus and rail infrastructure, with the aim of
reaching net-zero US carbon emissions by 2050.
Read article on Bloomberg Green
"A Groundbreaking Environmental Justice Bill Is Poised to Become Law"
Democrats who drafted the Environmental Justice for All Act
are optimistic that the bill will pass Congress.
Read article on Grist
"Plastics: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver"
John Oliver explains how plastics are harming the planet and why corporations and policymakers are ultimately responsible for the solution, not recycling.
Watch video on HBO/YouTube
"New Tech to Tackle the Climate Crisis"
Here are seven emerging technologies that could help us kick the carbon habit.
Read article on RollingStone
