September Meeting: Why Creative Activism?
Thursday, September 9, 7:30 pm EDT
Join Rebecca Bray and Steve Lambert, Directors of the Center for Artistic Activism, as they inspire and delight us by showing examples of creative activism campaigns from around the world. They’ll discuss why these tactics worked, and share their principles, best practices, and tools. An important ingredient in their recipe: working with the strongest aspects of local art and culture to not only raise awareness, but to also create real change. This program, to be held via Zoom, will include breakout groups where we can apply some of the Center’s ideas to our own campaigns.
Register in advance to attend this meeting on Zoom.
Call for Comments: Help Us STOP the Astoria NRG Power Plant!
The STOP Astoria NRG Plant group has been working together for over a year as we waited for permit hearings to be scheduled. Now that they are set, we are asking for all hands on deck to submit comments against the plant! They need not be complex and can be as simple as a paragraph, but we do know that comments that are personal are much more effective.
Here are some tips on writing comments and two different ways you can submit them:
- Register to attend the virtual hearings and deliver a statement on Tuesday, August 24 or Thursday, August 26, 1 pm or 6 pm either day. Information about how to pre-register to provide a statement via WebEx or phone is available online. To attend or deliver a public statement, please register in advance by 10am on the day before the hearing at which you wish to comment.
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Submit a written statement: Written statements can be submitted as late as September 13, but we want to deny this permit early and decisively, so sooner is better!
Deadline Glasgow: Defund Climate Chaos
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released Part 1 of its Sixth Assessment Report on August 9, and it gave a grim account of how rapidly the world is warming. Focusing on the physical evidence, the IPCC report made it clear that only a rapid and sustained reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would temper the warming that is already inevitable. The Stop the Money Pipeline Coalition’s Deadline Glasgow initiative is gathering tens of thousands of signatures on a petition to demand that the US government and financial institutions stop funding the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure and the destruction of tropical forests before the Glasgow Climate Talks on November 1, 2021. Sign their petition here. And 350Brooklyn is asking our Brooklyn delegation to Congress to end subsidies for the fossil fuel industry via the End Polluter Welfare Act. Email, call, or tweet to encourage your Congressional Representative to co-sponsor the EPWA!
Support the NYS Clean Air, Clean Water Amendment
On the ballot this November, you will see a proposed amendment to the New York State Constitution that would secure clean air, clean water, and a healthful environment as a right for every New Yorker, for generations to come. Last month, 350Brooklyn’s Legislation Committee decided to support the Environmental Advocates of New York (EANY) campaign to pass this amendment. We will keep you updated on the progress of the campaign, with relevant news, developments, and events. You can find more information about the amendment here. Spread the word, and remember to vote!
Help for Haiti
By now we have all heard about the earthquake in Haiti, and Tropical Storm Grace following on its heels, greatly adding to damage and misery. While earthquakes have been only indirectly linked to global warming, this event provides a good example of the severity of catastrophe that awaits us as the climate crisis accelerates — and a good opportunity to demonstrate how we will get through this: by working together and helping as much as we can. Consider donating to these organizations vetted by the Mayor's Office.
Fundraiser Coming Up!
Thursday, September 30
Save the date: On September 30, 350Brooklyn will have a fundraiser! St. John's Episcopal Church in Park Slope has generously donated its outdoor space for the event, so it should be a great party. We'll have wine, beer, and nibbles, as well as a silent auction, all in support of some creative 350BK endeavors: a new podcast, a new e-magazine, and the Eco-tones, our new brass band! Mark your calendars. Details to follow!
Help Evolve Our Culture: Consult with Us!
Are you a word whiz who is passionate about building a more inclusive, effective organization? As the climate crisis becomes more urgent and our organization grows, we want to be intentional about building a culture that supports greater diversity, better collaboration, more productive conflict, and a sustainable organization. We’re launching a working group that will create some shared agreements to guide our culture at 350Brooklyn. If you’re interested in joining us, please contact Hanna at [email protected].
What We've Been Reading This Summer
Summertime can be a time for letting our imaginations loose, and here are three books that expand our sense of the possible. In Overheated, journalist Kate Aronoff imagines how we should revise our political and economic arrangements. Eminently readable and impressively documented, Aronoff roots our current crisis in neoliberal ideas that promote untrammeled capitalism and proposes solutions rooted in genuine democracy. Botanist and Potawatomi member Robin Wall Kimmerer’s lovely Braiding Sweetgrass combines scientific knowledge and indigenous wisdom in descriptions of the plant world. Hers is a book that imagines a more sustainable and ethical relationship between humans and the natural world. And, lastly, Kim Stanley Robinson sets his novel The Ministry for the Future in the 2030s and 40s when global warming has loosed multiple catastrophes. And yet, Robinson imagines creative responses by his characters that seem surprisingly plausible.
What reading has inspired you lately? Let us know by emailing [email protected]!
Tell Us How You Really Feel about Electric School Buses!
As part of our push to get an Electric School Bus (ESB) law passed for New York City, City Action has worked with our partners at 350NYC and Empire Clean Cities to create a questionnaire that will help us represent ESB attitudes and opinions to our elected representatives. We are looking to get 100 questionnaires filled out in the next month so that we can raise awareness of our results around National Drive Electric Week. The questionnaire is not a scientific survey — though we have had it reviewed by people with data science experience — it is meant to spark more thought and conversation about Electric School Buses. Please take 5–10 minutes to fill out this questionnaire — you may learn a thing or two! For questions or to participate in this campaign, please contact City Action.
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 via Zoom to 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.
