We know it's a busy time of year, so in case you missed our email last week, take a minute to read about everything we've accomplished together this year and consider supporting local climate action.

As 2019 comes to a close, at 350Brooklyn we are inspired by this landmark year of climate activism and by clear signs the world is waking up to the climate emergency. Important legislation passed, the climate youth movement exploded, Extinction Rebellion was everywhere, the media increased their coverage of the crisis, numerous cities declared a Climate Emergency, people showed up in the streets all over the world, and the Democratic presidential candidates have been forced to take a stand on the issues and reject fossil fuel money.

While we are heartened by the growing climate movement, the rate of climate crises is accelerating. New York City only suffered a few days of peak heat and polar vortex cold, but Hurricane Dorian wiped out 90% of housing and infrastructure on Bahama’s Abaco Islands, the flooding in the Midwest touched 10 states and caused more than $10 billion in damage, cyclone Idai in Mozambique left more than 100,000 homeless and the drought in India has left 6 million people water insecure, to name just a few of the impacts of extreme weather events this year.

The climate action highlights of 2019:
It started with a bang with Sunrise youth occupying Nancy Pelosi’s office and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey announcing their plans for a Green New Deal (read it for yourself here).

In April, New York City passed the The Climate Mobilization Act, requiring 50,000 buildings citywide to lower their energy usage and emissions – or face steep penalties. The bill will result in the elimination of 6 million tons of GHG emissions and create 26,700 green jobs by 2030.

After years of work, the NY Renews statewide coalition of 200 organizations won passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. It commits New York to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and by 85 percent by 2050, compared with 1990 emissions; and to making major investments in frontline communities.

On September 20th and 27th, there were climate strikes worldwide, inspired primarily by the youth led Fridays for Future movement, bringing 7 million people to the streets to demand governments take bold action on the climate crisis.

The year came to an end with the recognition that the wisdom of 16 year-old Greta Thunberg could not be denied, and Time Magazine named her Person of the Year.

350Brooklyn highlights of 2019: Our membership grew, we strengthened our partnerships, and we had a number of successful campaigns:

We stopped the Williams (fracked gas) Pipeline, twice. 350Brooklyn is one of the leaders of the Williams Coalition, which includes Sane Energy Project, Food & Water Watch NY, NY Communities for Change, and Surfrider--NYC Chapter. We presented the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation with persuasive evidence that this pipeline would be a danger to our health and to the climate. Together we mobilized thousands of New Yorkers to oppose the pipeline, persuading Governor Cuomo to stand by the DEC decision.
The Green New Deal was a galvanizing vision, and with partner organizations we organized a large Green New Deal town hall event attended by nearly 500 people with four members of Congress and other incredible speakers. We also kept up a steady campaign targeting Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the one holdout in Brooklyn’s congressional delegation who has not yet endorsed the GND. We collected over 1200 petitions, rallied outside Jeffries' office, drew more than 100 people to a town hall in his district, and met with Jeffries directly.
We organized the well-attended Climate Wednesdays series at the Central Brooklyn Library, bringing in experts on food and climate, climate-friendly heating and cooling, and parenting in the climate change era.
We launched 350Brooklyn Families, which grew quickly, and organized a family-centered protest at Senator Schumer’s front door and a play-in at BlackRock’s Manhattan headquarters.
We joined the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice and are working locally to support the demands of NYCHA residents and fight for an Environmental Justice Special District as part of the Gowanus rezoning.
We formed two new committees, Plastics and City Action, enabling us to work on a wider range of our members’ concerns.
We ended the year with a buoyant crowd at our joyful fundraiser at Sunny’s Bar. Thanks to everyone who pitched in, showed up, and enjoyed the great music of M. Shanghai and the Alex Kramer Band.

These are impressive successes for a 100% volunteer organization. It shows the tremendous dedication, hard work and commitment to building a strategic movement to address the existential threat of a warming planet. But an all-volunteer group can only do so much.

That’s why we’re reaching out as the year ends for the funds that would allow us to hire a part-time staff person. And we need ongoing financial support to build a powerful and effective movement that can take on the climate emergency.

Monthly support is the most effective way to help. Can you give $20, $30, $50 or $100 a month? We need your financial support. Our future depends on every one of us joining the fight.

In 2020 we plan to escalate our campaigns, focus more on fossil fuel financing, grow new leadership and, as always, provide a home for everyone who comes to realize that in this frightening time when human civilization is at risk, we must all contribute and come together to turn this around. As Naomi Klein has said: Either we leap - or we sink!

This is the year to get active! Please come to our next Monthly Meeting on January 9th at Brooklyn Commons at 7:30 pm, when we will plan our year’s priorities.

Love, Peace and Resistance for the New Year!

350Brooklyn