To Our 350Brooklyn Members:
We write to you to express our heartfelt gratitude for all your work in 2021. We thank each and every 350BK member who hung a flyer, made a phone call, staffed a table, offered strategy ideas for a campaign, researched an issue, worked on our fundraiser, designed a graphic, wrote a newsletter article, posted on social media, made music, recorded a podcast, marched, rallied, and carried out all the dozens of tasks that, when added together, yielded real results.
And we had some wonderful results this year:
- After five years of organizing, community building, and advocacy with the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice, the rezoning of the Gowanus neighborhood will now include upgrades to the sewer system, significant investments in NYCHA housing, and a community oversight committee ensuring that commitments made by the city are kept.
- New York City will now develop a plan by which all school buses will be electric school buses in coming years, lowering both local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- “Climate Check: Stories and Solutions” launched, an inspiring podcast that shares local climate stories and points to actions and policies that can make a difference.
- The Astoria Power Plant was denied a permit to continue operating, taking one more piece of fossil fuel infrastructure out of commission.
Our “Climate Wednesdays” series brought information and insights to the wider public in seven great presentations, as our monthly meetings did for our 350Brooklyn community.
- Our Monday Power Hours set a great example for how a consistent, focused tactic can yield results and support not only for 350Brooklyn campaigns, but for our partner campaigns as well.
- We’re starting to get good press coverage, such as reporting by News 12 and amNY about 350Brooklyn Families events, which brings the urgency of climate action to our wider community and to elected officials.
Some of this work we did with valued partners like the Brooklyn Public Library, local NYCHA residents, and fellow climate organizations, and some of this was completely “in house.” But all of it was done with creativity, insight, and good hearts. If you have a moment, watch this wonderful recap of our year by Ella Ryan, a 350Brooklyn Families co-lead. We couldn’t be prouder of you all!
We are indeed a volunteer-powered organization. Yet we are also dependent upon your financial support. Whether a single donation or a monthly one, whether $5 or $500, it all helps 350Brooklyn do our part to move the needle on the climate crisis. If you can help financially, donate here.
Whether it’s time, skills, or money, your help is deeply appreciated!
We have much to do in 2022. We look forward with determination to passing significant climate legislation in Albany, ensuring that the Gowanus Power Plant retires for good, supporting policies that constrict the flow of plastic, launching our “Parts Per Million” e-magazine, persuading a local bank to become a fossil-free bank, continuing to bring parents and their children into the climate movement, and more.
These are undeniably difficult times on many fronts but, equally undeniably, when we work together we have hope of making the world we want.
Wishing love and peace to every one of you!
The 350Brooklyn Steering Committee,
Danica, Ella, Georgi, Ieva, Jan, Jeremy S, Jeremy K, Judy, Laurel, Lynn, Mimi, Sara, and Wendy
