Climate Wednesdays: (Em)powering Our Neighborhoods: Bringing Clean Energy Home
Wednesday, April 21, 7–8:30 pm EST
Most New Yorkers can’t install their own rooftop solar, so community-based renewable energy is an essential climate solution for our city. Who’s building these projects, and what policies would help? Where do social justice and energy innovation intersect? Join Carlos Garcia of NYC-Environmental Justice Alliance, Gabriel Jamison of Brownsville Residents Green Committee, Max Joel of NYS Energy Research & Development Authority, and Summer Sandoval of UPROSE for a discussion of community-based green energy initiatives that slash pollution and cut energy bills while delivering good green jobs.
To attend, register in advance at the BPL website at least one hour before the event begins, or stream it live on YouTube.
Teach-in: Learn more about our fight to stop the Astoria NRG Plant!
Tuesday, April 27, 7 pm EST
The Huffington Post called it “NYC’s Hottest New Energy Fight,” and AOC and all of Astoria’s elected officials are against it! But what kind of polluting fossil fuel plant is NRG proposing to build in Astoria, and how do we stop it and other non-renewable plants? The No Astoria NRG Plant Coalition has you covered! Join 350Brooklyn’s Stop Peaker Campaign for a teach-in on April 27 at 7 pm to learn about the Astoria NRG fracked gas power plant. We’ll explain how a brand-new fracked power plant would hurt our communities and the climate — and how you can join the growing movement to stop it and create thousands of good green union jobs instead!
Sign up here for our Stop the Astoria NRG Plant teach-in.
May Meeting: Communicating the climate crisis
Thursday, May 13, 7:30 pm EST
Jeff Berardelli will speak about communicating the importance of climate change to the general public. Jeff is a meteorologist for CBS New York and founded the group #metsunite, a group of meteorologists who are dedicated to discussing climate change to a broader audience. He is currently enrolled in Columbia University’s Earth Institute, studying effective climate communication.
Register here for the May meeting.
NY Renews and the CCIA: Where we stand now
The Climate and Community Investment Act, now before the NYS Legislature, would take New York State a long way down the road to a socially just, environmentally sustainable future. But only if it passes. NY Renews organized a big push for support the week of April 5, and many 350Brooklyn members joined lobby visits, made phone calls, marched in Manhattan, and posted on social media. 350BK wrote a Memo of Support as well, which we submitted to key committees examining the bill. While the CCIA has been steadily gaining support, we’re not there yet. We’ve got seven more weeks in this legislative session to get it done. Want to help? Email [email protected].
At last! Federal action on plastic pollution is possible.
Did you know that only 9% of the plastics created since 1950 have been recycled? You surely know that manufacturing plastics is an important revenue stream for the fossil fuel industry. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act would take many steps to dial down the production, use, and trashing of plastics. But first it has to pass Congress! Artichoke Dance Company has put together a great guide to calling our senators and representatives. Make your calls and break us all free from plastics!
NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
On Caring for Our Common Home: Climate Change and the Moral Imperative
Today, April 20, 7 pm EST
The Social Justice Action Group of St. Boniface Church is sponsoring a virtual presentation and discussion featuring Michael Gerrard, Director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia. He will specifically speak of climate change and how it affects migration and human trafficking.
To attend, RSVP here.
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 also 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, and the 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.
