Winning Climate Justice: How Albany Really Works
350Brooklyn Monthly Meeting
Thursday, November 11, 7:30 pm EST
When Hurricane Ida dropped torrential rain on NYC in September, 13 New Yorkers died, primarily from the lethal flooding of basement apartments. Yet the NYS legislature has now gone two years without significant climate legislation. What are the roadblocks? What are the opportunities? Join us for a perceptive analysis of how Albany really works from State Senator Jabari Brisport. Senator Brisport's concerns range from the protection of children and of tenants to climate justice. And, as always, we'll have updates on 350Brooklyn's campaigns. Register for the November meeting using this link.
March for Climate Justice with 350Bk and NY Renews!
Saturday, November 13, at Noon in Times Square
On November 13, we will call on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to deliver climate justice, including the funding necessary to provide a just transition to a renewable energy economy, for the people of New York. Alongside our NY Renews partners and other allies, we’ll march to demand that New York equitably and swiftly implement the state’s climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and fully fund that law by passing the Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA). RSVP for the march here.
Meet up with other 350Brooklyn members at 11:45 on the northeast corner of 7th Ave and 43rd Street. Look for the 350BK flag on a bamboo pole!
Activism 101: Why March?
While some of us are used to demonstrating, others may be reluctant to parade in public while chanting and waving a sign. Marching and rallying are important tactics in all social movements. Frequent visible protests raise the likelihood of a campaign's success. Along with tactics like meetings with decision makers, social media posts, op eds and letters to the editor, petition drives, and alliances with other organizations, marches and rallies convey a group's determination to improve the future. If you are a newcomer to such protests, you might find it easier to arrange to meet with others from your organization and march together. Try it!
Solar + Storage Snags: Challenges to NY's Climate Goals
Climate Wednesdays, November 17, 7 pm EST
New York has ambitious renewable energy goals, but regulations and red tape pose tough challenges. What must change so we can quickly bring solar energy and battery storage to our neighborhoods and slash greenhouse gas emissions? Our speakers will identify the major hurdles, offer solutions for removing them and explain how we can all get involved. This event is a collaboration of 350Brooklyn, Brooklyn Public Library, and Solar One, a non-profit education, training and technical assistance organization. Advance registration is required. Register here at least one hour before the event.
This fall series concludes December 1 with "Brooklyn's Battery Breakthrough: How Four Library Branches are Charging Ahead. Register here for the December Climate Wednesdays event.
Help Pass the Gas Free NYC Bill Now!
Rally, Testify and/or Watch Nov. 17 NYC Council Hearing
On Wednesday, November 17th, the NYC Council will hold a virtual public hearing on Intro 2317, which will end the use of gas in new construction and gut renovations. This is a huge opportunity! With the real estate and fossil fuel industries working round-the-clock to try and stop this bill, we need to step up and tell our electeds how we feel about allowing developers to continue using outdated and polluting technologies! Help us create a massive turnout to show that New Yorkers want this bill passed NOW. There are multiple ways to participate:
1 - TESTIFY: Join the hearing and sign up to testify on your own, and/or join members of City Action for a 'prep session' to talk through creating testimony that incorporates personal narrative AND cold, hard facts. Please see this document for #GasFreeNYC sample talking points to draft testimony on your own - or sign up here for the City Action prep session.
2 - RALLY! RSVP here to Rally with New York Communities for Change online at 11am on Wednesday, November 17th, one hour before the hearing starts, with activists and elected officials to push for passage of the bill. We want to get a big turnout from New Yorkers across the city to show that there is widespread support for this bill!
3 - SUPPORT by watching the hearing online. There will be a public counter logging the number of people watching online - but we strongly encourage signing up to testify to share your support for the bill.
A Major VICTORY Giving Us a Powerful Tool to Win More!
This past week voters all over New York State went to the polls and voted decisively to add an Environmental Rights Amendment to the NYS Constitution. 350Brooklyn was one of 60 organizations that supported this crucial protection of both public health and the environment. An active, engaged citizenry now has a powerful tool to hold accountable those who would dirty our land and waters, our air and our atmosphere.
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.
NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES
Nov. 11 Webinar on Plastics & Climate Change
Judith Enck's wonderful activist group Beyond Plastics is offering a webinar that is very timely: Join her and lead author, Jim Vallette on November 11th at 7 PM ET via Zoom to learn more about the findings of their groundbreaking, new report, The New Coal: Plastics and Climate Change. Here is the link to sign up.
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.
