September Monthly Meeting. In Person!
Thursday, Sept. 15, 7 pm.
Parish House, Christ Church 362 Clinton Street, Cobble Hill
Join us for an in-person meeting as we gather for some community building and some work on 350Brooklyn's future. What are we doing at the moment? How can our various committees and campaigns work together to make us more effective? We'll start off the evening with a pub quiz and then do some creative brainstorming. We'll share light refreshments and good conversation. And we'll have 350Bk tee-shirts for sale at $20. Christ Church has donated a big, airy room for this in-person meeting and we'll keep the windows open. We ask that people be fully vaccinated and test before coming. While this will not be on zoom, we ask that you register for the monthly meeting so we have some sense of how many people will come. Hope to see you there!
Welcome New Members! Orientation.
Sunday, September 18, 7 pm.
Are you new to 350Brooklyn? Looking forward to helping move climate action forward but not sure how to start? Come to our monthly welcome orientation where experienced 350Brooklyn members will lay out some possibilities and answer your questions. Register for orientation here!
March With Us! Global Climate Strike
Friday, September 23, 2 pm.
Foley Square, Manhattan.
On September 23 the youth group Fridays For Future-NYC will lead a march from Foley Square to Battery Park as part of the world-wide Climate Strike, and we will turn out in support of our young people and their future. Spread the word to all students that you know. The 350Brooklyn contingent will gather in front of the Thurgood Marshall US Courthouse at 40 Foley Square. Look for the 350Brooklyn flags on bamboo poles. Let's make this HUGE!
We're Hiring! Part Time Campaign Lead position available
350Brooklyn is pleased to announce that we have joined the People v. Fossil Fuel national coalition, and that Molly Ornati has agreed to oversee our participation. We have gotten a grant that lets us hire a 20-hour/week campaign lead, which is very exciting. Interested? For a description of the position and how to apply, click here.
Join The Power Hour Team, Phone Bank for Climate Justice
Things are heating up, here's what we can do about it!
Join us Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT for Power Hour where we call, tweet, and email our legislators and fossil fuel enablers to push for specific climate bills and actions.
Wednesday, September 14th, we will urge our electeds to protect Local Law 97, the boldest urban climate law in the world. We cannot allow it to be gutted by unlimited use of Renewable Energy Credits (aka RECs), which would enable building owners to buy their way out of making critical energy-efficiency improvements to their buildings. Don't REC Local Law 97!
We'll also push to pass the Skip the Stuff bill (INT 0559) Wednesday and next Monday, September 19th. This bill would greatly reduce the use of plastics and other disposables from restaurant takeout and delivery, by making it upon request only.
We will keep up the pressure on our representatives to REJECT Joe Manchin's "permitting reform" bill, which is designed to expand fuel fossil infrastructure, and Manchin's pet pipeline, which communities have aggressively opposed. (You can do this on your own as well, using this tool).
That's why we call it Power Hour, sign up here!
ICYMI - Climate Check's Newest Episode, "The Second Best Time to Plant a Tree" is out now
According to Ana, the best time to plant a tree is 30 years ago. The second best time is now. Join us in listening to Climate Check's 9th episode, featuring Senior Minister of First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, author of "No Other Gods", Ana Levy-Lyons. Ana and host Eva Dean discuss Ana's path to divinity, the nuanced responsibility of parenthood in the era of the climate crisis, the illusions technology has placed on our framings of place, waste, and haste. Ana calls on listeners to examine the role of our spirituality in the climate crisis, introduces us to the homo amandi, relays the importance of changing our spiritual culture from the inside, and suggests that the sabbath might be one of our best tools for climate action. Take a rest and tune in.
Check It Out! We've Got an Updated Website!
Our 350Brooklyn website not only keeps people abreast of our actions and our organizing, but offers guidance on a host of issues of interest to climate activists. Our "Resources" pages have recently been updated with the latest information. High praise to Ira who shepherded the revisions and to our webmaster Ella who laid it all out so beautifully. And much thanks to our researchers and writers: Mimi, Kristen, Madeleine, Ben, Will, Dana, Baladine, Jeremy, Jennifer, Melanie, and Leslie.
FROM OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES
If the Bells Would Ring: A Climate Play
Sept. 16 at 9:30 pm, Sept. 17 at 12 pm and 9:30 pm
A two-act political drama, "If the Bells Would Ring" was written by Elson Bankoff, a young climate activist, and is being produced in New York by young people from NY Youth Climate Leaders, Fridays For Future-NYC, Extinction Rebellion, and Sunrise. It will be performed at The Tank, 312 West 36th Street during Climate Week. You can purchase tickets here. Let's support these young people as they mobilize art to address the climate emergency!
DISCUSSION & SHORT FILM: Renewable Rikers & How to Power a City
Tuesday, September 20, 6 to 7 pm
The detention center on Rikers Island has been a household name synonymous with violence, alienation, and deep injustice. The jail will close forever in 2027. This event outlines the proposed transformation of Rikers Island into a home for renewable infrastructure, including a solar farm. Confronting the island’s toxic, racist past is key to determining its future. Through the Renewable Rikers Act (which 350Brooklyn's City Action committee helped to pass in 2019) the Island will be transformed from one of the nation’s worst sites of social injustice to a solar farm, battery array, and a beacon of hope for environmental justice and renewable energy. The plan for Renewable Rikers includes investments in jobs and infrastructure that will employ New Yorkers and reduce pollution and waste in environmental justice communities, particularly in adjacent areas of Queens and the Bronx. Join us for this inspiring event with some of the original champions of the Renewable Rikers Act! It’s at CUNY Law School, 2 Court Square, Long Island City.
TEACH IN WITH SIERRA CLUB:
Resolution 169, “A Climate Plan to Protect New York”
Join City Action in testifying in support of Resolution 169. This resolution has sponsorship from 37 Council Members, and demonstrates the Council’s support for a plan that commits to building equitable and widespread building electrification, the cessation of incentives for gas and oil, no new fossil fuel power plants, and supports clean energy and green jobs. It also incorporates the recommendations of frontline and justice-focused working groups.
The Resolution will come before the Environmental Conservation Committee on Wednesday, September 21, at 1pm, and advocates will have the opportunity to testify either in person or remotely. Register NOW, here: https://council.nyc.gov/testify/.
Talking Points & FAQ can be found here: Reso 169- Talking Points & FAQ
The Sierra Club will also host a teach-in.
WHO: Led by Shay O'Reilly of Sierra Club. Everyone is invited!
WHEN: Thursday Sept 15, 12-12:30pm
WHERE: Zoom. Register Now!
For more details contact: [email protected]
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.
