Potluck Picnic Tonight!
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
Come to our summer picnic! Each August we forgo our usual monthly meeting in favor of a relaxed, communal gathering in Prospect Park, Brooklyn near the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, and off the 2 and 3 train at the Grand Army Plaza, or Eastern Parkway stops. Bring food and/or drink to share, or just come as you are! There’s always plenty to go around. To find us, enter the park at Grand Army Plaza and go straight to Long Meadow, you’ll see us there. This is a perfect way to spend a summer evening! If you can bring your own cup and/or silverware, that too would be much appreciated. Come one, come all!
Schumer, Manchin, and the Inflation Reduction Act
After excruciating negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin have agreed to a bill that commits the federal government to at least $160 billion dollars in climate-related tax credits and subsidies over the next ten years. At the same time, provisions in the bill that support continued Federal leasing of public lands and waters to oil and gas drilling have appalled all of us in the climate movement. Even so, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the bill's provisions will significantly outweigh new emissions. Critically, as 350 founder Bill McKibben points out, this bill breaks a thirty four-year period in which the U.S. Congress passed no significant climate legislation. This demonstrates the power of the climate movement. We should take inspiration from this by bringing wider circles of civil society into the movement, and block the fossil fuel industry every way we can. Let’s push our elected officials at every level of government to take effective action, and steadily erode fossil fuel financing.
No Gutting, No Backsliding, No Driscoll, No Kidding!
Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
Join us Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT for Power Hour! We will call, tweet, and email legislators and fossil fuel enablers to promote specific climate bills and actions!
On Wednesday, August 10th and Monday, August 15th, we will reach out to demand a Special Session in the New York State Legislature on the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA).
We will call to protect Local Law 97, the boldest urban climate law in the world. We cannot allow this law to be gutted by so-called Renewable Energy Credits, or REC's, which would allow landlords of large buildings to forgo energy-efficiency upgrades that would reduce their carbon emissions. Don't REC Local Law 97!
In early 2020, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink announced that they would be steering their investments away from fossil fuels. Since then, BlackRock has backpedaled on their own divestment targets. We will hold them to their pledge!
Justin Driscoll, the interim CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) is a GOP donor who opposes BPRA. Tell New York Governor Kathy Hochul to reject Driscoll as NYPA leader so we can truly build public renewables.
Sunday in the Park, and Tabling With 350Brooklyn!
Sunday, August 14th, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm EDT, Entrance to Prospect Park at Grand Army Plaza
Throughout the summer, members of 350Brooklyn’s City Action Committee have been hosting tabling events to talk to their fellow New Yorkers about the climate crisis. Our next event is on Sunday, August 14th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm EDT at the Grand Army Plaza entrance of Prospect Park. We engage and inform people on sources of carbon emissions, renewable energy options, and climate-related health matters such as asthma and other ailments. We also steer them toward actions such as signing petitions, emailing legislators, and giving personal testimony in public forums. We also listen to them and learn about the issues they themselves are facing, and are passionate about. We need volunteers for this, and future tabling events, and would be most pleased to have you (yes, you!) lend a hand. We will provide background materials, and everything else you’ll need to participate. All you need to do is show up! You can register using this link. You can also email Georgi Page for more information, or any questions at [email protected]
Clean Energy Solutions for Low to Moderate Income Homes in Brooklyn
Tuesday, August 23rd, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm EDT
All New Yorkers, regardless of income, are entitled to a comfortable home and a safe, healthy existence. Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, August 23rd from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm EDT to learn about the resources that are available for low to middle income residents of Brooklyn to decarbonize their homes. This event is co-sponsored by New Yorkers for Clean Power, 350Brooklyn, Green Team LI, NHS Brooklyn, Sane Energy, Barrio Solar, Heat Cool Smart Brooklyn, and Sunset Park Redevelopment Committee. Register here.
ICYMI: Climate Check's Newest Episode, “Sustainable Farming and Soil Health: Trust Your Mouth” with Chris Nickell is Out Now!
When it comes to soil health, the proof is in the parsnips! Learn more about sustainable, regenerative farming practices, and what makes for healthy soil in Climate Check's eighth episode, “Sustainable Farming and Soil Health: Trust Your Mouth” with Chris Nickell. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge from Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York's Subsoil Committee. Our conversation with them spans growing practices, misconceptions about human interventions in nature, and the education of a new generation of stewards of the land. Chris's community organizing is intersectional, incorporating New York City’s diverse culture. They have a strong desire to connect urbanites with farming, and growing foods they enjoy themselves. Listen here or wherever you find your podcasts!
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.
