September Meeting: Why Creative Activism?
Thursday, September 9, 7:30 pm EDT (Virtual)
Join Rebecca Bray and Steve Lambert, the directors of the Center for Artistic Activism (cc4a.org), 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.
Experience The Hour of Phone-Banking Power
Wednesday, September 8th at 12:00 pm EDT
This week's Power Hour will focus on fighting for a #GasFreeNYC on Wednesday, September 8th at 12:00 pm EDT. Sign up on this google form. Join us to learn more about Intro #2317. This bill would effectively end natural gas hook-ups in new New York City developments, following in the footsteps of cities like San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Oakland (read the fact sheet here). We'll be contacting Councilmembers who haven't responded to our prior communications, and inviting those who have yet to show their support (but must) to attend a September 13th event.
Rise Up! Save The Date For A September 23rd Climate Week March With UPROSE!
Thursday, September 23rd, 2:00 pm EDT, 462 36th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Last week's devastating storm has made it clear, in the words of UPROSE's Elizabeth Yeampierre, that "What is coming our way is beyond our imagination in terms of climate impact. We are going to amp up our Climate Justice organizing!" UPROSE has asked 350Brooklyn and other groups to stand with them during Climate Week to underscore the message that Climate Justice, and leading with the needs of frontline communities, is critical at this time. We couldn't agree more! Please join us to learn more, and demand action, with one of the most brilliant and strategic organizations in our region. Sign up using this link. Call (718) 492-9307 or email [email protected] for more information.
March For The Future
Friday, September 24th, 3:00 pm EDT Foley Square, New York, NY
The international youth group Fridays For Future has organized a climate march in New York City and 350Brooklyn will be there! With struggles over climate action in Congress and the approaching climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, in November, this will be a day when young people speak out for their future and for the future of the planet. Come support them! The march will start at 3:00 pm EDT in Foley Square and move on to Battery Park where there will be speakers and performers starting at 4:30 pm EDT. Look for the 350BK banner!
Join the Fun! 350Brooklyn Fundraiser
September 30th, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm EDT (Rain date: October 1st), St. John's Church Garden, 139 St. John's Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217
We’re looking forward to a great evening of music, laughter, and good conversation. We’ll eat delectable hors d’oeuvres and enjoy delicious drinks. (The first glass is included in the price of a ticket!) We’ll also have great items to bid on in our Silent Auction. Maybe a deeply restorative therapeutic massage at Opal is in your future? Or how about some extraordinarily elegant cider choices from Metal House Cider? Puppies are wonderful, but some training from Brooklyn Pup may be just what you need. Speaking of pets, the extraordinary artist Danica Novgorodoff will offer to paint a portrait of your well-loved companion. And who doesn’t love to go out to eat? The folks at Parklife Restaurant will treat you right. That’s just some of what we’ll offer. Come join the fun! Get your tickets now!
Quick Action: Petition To Stop The Line 3 Pipeline
Support the indigenous activists and allies opposing the Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline that would bring nearly a million barrels of tar sands daily from Canada to Wisconsin. Sign this petition urging President Biden to stop the pipeline! We will be delivering petitions to bank branches the morning of Thursday, September 16th. Email [email protected] if you are interested in joining.
Tell The New York Times: No More Ads Promoting Fossil Fuels
The New York Times devotes an entire section to climate reporting, often featuring stories about the accelerating dangers of global warming on its own front page. Yet it also uses the power of its news brand to create and publish advertisements promoting the products that cause dangerous global warming in the first place. Sign the Ads Not Fit to Print petition to tell The New York Times to stop writing and running the reprehensible fossil fuel advertisements. #AdsNotFit2Print!
Last Call For Comments: September 13th, Help us STOP The Astoria NRG Power Plant!
On August 24th and 26th, City Action volunteers participated in long-awaited permit hearings against the proposed fracked gas repowering of the Astoria NRG Peaker Plant. With the help of the Monday Power Hour Crew (sign up here to join a power hour phone banking party!) we secured the participation of key elected officials, delivered several strong statements against the plant, and suggested a number of non-polluting alternatives, such as a Renewable Rikers Island. In this final week, we are asking everyone to take five to ten minutes to read an article or two and submit written comments against the plant! Your comments can be as simple as a sentence or a paragraph, but comments that are personal and heartfelt are much more effective. Here are some tips on writing comments, if you wish to customize. Otherwise, just click this link to submit a written statement based on the talking points given. Written statements can be delivered as late as September 13th. Help us make this change!
From Our Friends: Stop the Danskammer Power Plants
Our fellow New Yorkers up the Hudson are fighting to stop the expansion of the Danskammer Power Plant. This is yet another place where the fossil fuel industry is trying to expand operations in New York, even as ordinary people fight the climate crisis. Here's something you can do to help! Click here to submit a public comment (it can be really short) to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
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.
