Climate Wednesdays: "Active Hope: Emotional Resilience in Facing Climate Change"
TOMORROW October 27, 6:30-8:30 pm EDT
This special two-hour workshop will offer tools for supporting our spirits as we acknowledge and confront climate anxiety. We'll follow practices from Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone's “Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in Without Going Crazy," telling stories, exploring new sources of personal and collective power, and sharing ideas for turning our hopes into action. Tom Roderick and Marieke van Woerkom, leaders in social and emotional learning, will lead this participatory workshop. Register at least an hour before the event.
Climate Wednesdays continues with Solar + Storage Snags: Challenges to NYC's Climate Goals on November 17 and concludes with Brooklyn's Battery Breakthrough: How Four Branch Libraries are Charging Ahead" on December 1. You can also catch a recording and resources from the first Climate Wednesdays event, "Bringing Solar Home," on the 350Brooklyn website.
350Brooklyn November Meeting – How to get the State Legislature to Finally Pass Important Climate Legislation
Thursday, November 11th, 7:30 pm EDT
In 2020, despite having more than a dozen good bills before it, the NYS Legislature passed virtually nothing on climate. Why not? Come hear State Senator Jabari Brisport as he explains the impediments to progress that characterize our state government, and the ways we can overcome them. And, as always at our monthly meetings, you’ll hear updates on our campaigns and have a chance to talk with some of your fellow 350Brooklyners. Come! Register for the meeting using this link.
Break Free From Plastic: Take Action Against Extraction
RALLY TODAY OCT. 26, Sign petition
Sign this petition as part of our #breakfreefromplastic actions to ask the Biden Administration to stop issuing permits for new and expanded petrochemical facilities. Also RSVP for the rally TODAY, Tuesday, Oct 26th, at 1pm ET, as environmental justice groups from around the country livestream to put an end to the massive plastic buildout happening in America.
"Remember Sandy" STMP Protest on Oct. 29
Join a city-wide coalition to fight against the funding of fossil fuels on Friday, Oct. 29, the ninth anniversary of Sandy. Meeting at 12:30 at 372 Pearl Street and then marching to the Federal Reserve and Citibank. RSVP here to join!
EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED: On the Ballot:
An Environmental Rights Amendment for New York
Early voting started on October 23 and ends on October 31. And then Tuesday, November 2 is Election day. This year New Yorkers will have the chance to vote for an Environmental Rights Amendment to our state constitution. The proposed amendment says, simply, "Every person shall have the right to clean water, clean air, and a healthful environment." Remember to turn your ballot over and look for Proposition 2! And remind friends and family to vote.
Climate Halloween needs your help! Oct. 30 at noon.
Ever wanted to be a tree? We're still looking for four more volunteers to participate in our climate puppet pageant (10/30 @ 12pm)! No experience necessary, except the ability to hold a lightweight puppet above your head. More info and sign up here.
Want to watch the show? Bring the whole family down to the Old Stone house at 1pm, come early for the full Halloween Fest experience. More information here.
Help Ensure the CLCPA Has Strong Regulations
Webinar Nov. 4th and March Nov. 13 with NY Renews
350Brooklyn is proud that we supported NY Renews to get New York State to pass the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Now a Climate Action Council is writing the regulations that will make the CLCPA a reality. Will the CAC write strong, enforceable regulations or will it end up weakening the CLCPA? Join NY Renews for a webinar on this key moment. And then join us as we march from Times Square to Governor Hochul's office at noon on Saturday, November 13, to press her to pass the Climate and Community Investment Act. Look for the 350Bk flag so we can march together!
New Climate Check podcast episode:
Compost, Community and Climate
How can we work with nature to combat climate change and build social resilience? The new episode of our Climate Check podcast series zeros in on Ceci Pineda of BK ROT, a youth- and bike-powered food waste collection service. Learn how composting counters storm surge and carbon dioxide while helping to cool our streets by providing nourishment to plants and trees. Listen on Anchor, Apple, Breaker, Google, Spotify and Radio Public.
Curbside Composting is Back!
Sign up is now open for curbside composting. If you are in an eligible neighborhood, the DSNY will notify you when service will start in your area. If you live in an area where service is not yet offered, they will let you know about opportunities to bring your food scraps to a drop-off location or how to compost at home (and will let you know if service is expanding to your area!). DSNY wants to hear from everyone interested in Curbside Composting as it helps them make the case to expand this service to more neighborhoods.
Urge the Port Authority to Ban Single Use Water Bottles
Use this action link to let the Port Authority know you are in favor of banning single use water bottles at JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and Stewart Airports and Bus Stations.
NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES
News from Our Friends and Allies: The Gowanus Canal Conservancy needs our help!
We need your help advocating for the Salt Lot peninsula, home to GCC's stewardship and education programs, the Lowlands Nursery, Big Reuse compost operations, more than 250 species of plants and animals, six industrial businesses, and more than 90 jobs! As part of the Superfund clean-up, the Salt Lot is slated for use by that project. Sign this petition asking NYC to help with this displacement and to commit to an eventual return.
News from Our Friends and Allies: Bill McKibben's New Projects
Most of us know Bill McKibben, a founder of 350.org and one of the most astute observers of our climate crisis. He's now publishing a newsletter "The Crucial Years" (meaning right now, when we've still got a chance to get this right) on Substack. You can subscribe here. And he's got a new project for the generation of over 60s called The Third Act.
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.
