Monthly meeting March 10th: Electrifying Buildings, Getting the (Greenhouse) Gas Out
New York State has a draft plan for lowering the whole state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings, large and small, give off 70% of NYC’s emissions. The plan is still a draft, so we have the opportunity to influence the final version. Is the plan adequate? Achievable? Just? How can we ensure that emissions fall to nearly zero by 2050? Jen Metzger, New Yorkers for Clean Power senior policy advisor and former state senator, will explain what the state has in the works and what we can do to make sure New York meets its climate goals. Register for the meeting here.
Testify! Your Voice Matters!
New York State's Climate Action Council has released a draft of its Scoping Plan, which will become our roadmap to achieving the goals of our landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This draft has some recommendations that we must absolutely support but also some recommendations that are too weak to get New York State where it needs to go. Right now the CAC is taking comments on the plan. Ordinary New Yorkers' comments are crucial to sustaining the plan's strengths and overcoming its weaknesses! Use these easy directions. Over the next three months we'll be issuing a number of these guidelines. Comment each and every time!
An Action You Can Take:
Sign Our Local Law 97 Petition
A lack of penalty enforcement is threatening to undermine Local Law 97, aka the 'Dirty Buildings' bill! Help us fight for the law and for upgrades to the city's largest buildings. Sign this petition telling Mayor Adams you want him to protect our health, save the planet from worsening impacts of global warming, create more good, green jobs and move the city forward!
Join The Power Hour Team
Phone Bank for Climate Justice
Join us on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12-1 for Power Hour where we call, tweet, and email our legislators to push for specific climate bills. On Monday, March 7th & 14th we continue the campaign for Cumulative Impacts and Public Participation bills that will prevent the permitting of toxic facilities in some frontline communities. And on Wednesday, March 9th & 16th we continue our work on Local Law 97, the boldest municipal climate legislation ever enacted in NYC (and US). On March 9 Pete Sikora of New York Communities for Change will join us to give us a good grounding in this law and the threats to it. Join the Power Hour!
Special edition of
Climate Check
Looking for something to listen to keep the mind, body and soul warm during these final stretches of winter? Check out Climate Check: Stories bonus episode, a “Winter Warmer,” a fireside chat. The episode features our podcast team sharing their favorite tidbits, memories, guests, and lessons learned on the show. Listen here and stay tuned for the opener of Climate Check’s second season, set to release mid March.
Save the Date to Save the Planet!
350Bk's First Fund-raising Fun Run
350Brooklyn is hosting our first ever 5k - Run For Your Lives! Join us on May 15th in Prospect Park as we run or walk 3.1 miles. Ticket sales will directly benefit 350 Brooklyn. This will be a great opportunity to meet other 350 Brooklyn members, discuss climate, and get excited to take action. The run will begin at 9am at the Bartel-Pritchard entrance to Prospect Park. Afterwards, 350Brooklyn will host an 'afterparty' to celebrate and enjoy gathering together! Registration coming soon.
NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES
New York's First Bike Census
Who's biking in New York? This first-ever bike census will help decision-makers design policies and programs to accelerate more and safer cycling. Use this link to be part of the census! Additionally, all survey respondents that leave their emails are eligible to enter into a drawing for three $150 Planet Bike gift cards from UCS. Use this link to participate and be entered in the drawing! !
Caring for Street Trees
Saturday, March 19, 10 am to Noon
The Stewardship Team of the NYC Parks Department is giving a free workshop that will train you to keep the trees on your street healthy and growing. Register for the workshop here. And when you finish you'll get a tool kit, Parks hat, and guidebook!
Help Food & Water Watch Make Calls for a New York Gas Ban
Food & Water Watch New York is working to get the All Electric Building Act passed in the state budget, a bill 350Bk supports. But we have just 5 short weeks to get that done! Join Food & Water Watch for phonebanks and textbanks to rally legislators' support for the All Electric Building Act. We need lots of calls to push this campaign over the finish line. Let's help them get it done!
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. 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.
