December Meeting: Celebrate and Energize!
In-person Meeting. Thursday, December 15th, 7:00 pm EST
Society of Friends Meeting House, 110 Schermerhorn Street
Come share some holiday spirit in person with 350Brooklyn. We’ll learn some climate songs we can sing at rallies, compete in a climate-themed pub quiz, and revel in a short film about 350Brooklyn’s accomplishments in 2022. Let's have some fun as we gear up for the new year. No registration needed--just come! Please bring, and wear, a mask.
PvFF Working Group Update
The new PvFF Working Group has gotten off to an exciting start after holding our first meeting with new members and lots of enthusiasm! We discussed our goals to push Biden to declare a climate emergency and support front line environmental justice communities, gave a background on Manchin’s Dirty Deal, and brainstormed how we can support local climate fights.
Going forward, this workgroup will have a lot to do and is seeking new members. It’s an ideal workgroup to join for someone new – get involved from the beginning and help determine our strategy and priorities! Interested? Register here to attend our next meeting on Friday, December 16th.
Help us Defeat The Dirty Deal One More Time!!
350Brooklyn and our allies New York Communities for Change, Food and Water Watch, Sunrise and Extinction Rebellion organized a lively protest on Schumer’s doorstep on 12/8 to demand he shut down the Dirty Deal once and for all!
But, Senators Schumer and Manchin just won’t give up on the twice defeated Dirty Deal, and we won’t give up trying to stop it! This article from the Minnesota Reformer gives one of the best explanations for why we must stop the Dirty Deal.
Want to take action? Take 2 minutes to make a call to Schumer’s office right now. Dial 888-997-5380 to tell him: “I’m urging you to vote NO on any amendment that would advance Manchin’s dirty permitting deal. I'm deeply concerned about any legislation that would fast-track fossil fuel projects and undermine our ability to give input on new energy projects.”
Join a phone bank this week to generate more calls to priority senators. These highly targeted phone banks are an easy and effective way to reach people who are willing to talk to their local reps to urge them not to vote for anything that includes the dirty deal.
Thank you all for your continued action to get squash Dirty Deal once and for all!
Join The Power Hour Team
12-1 Monday and Wednesday, and by popular demand Evening Power Hour Wednesday at 8 pm.
Join us Wednesday December 14th at 12PM. We will be targeting BlackRock. BlackRock is the world's biggest asset manager and funder of climate destruction, all while violating Indigenous rights and driving deforestation. We will respond to BlackRocks destructive policies through a (I daresay fun!) pressure campaign emailing, calling and using social media.
Wednesday December 14th at 8pm we will write and submit testimony in support of Anti-idling and Zero-emissions City Vehicle Fleet Bills in City Council, and we will support volunteers who are willing to testify in favor of these bills at the Environmental Committee hearing at the City Council the next day.
Sign up for Power Hour HERE.
Join the Climate Chat Crew!
Climate Chats, a project of the Climate Idea Exchange, are an opportunity for concerned Brooklynites to connect with one another, share their climate concerns, get connected with resources, and turn angst into action. After two successful events this past year, the Climate Chat team is gearing up for more events throughout 2023. So far we're planning two events for February 2023 at the Greenpoint and Central Libraries, and we'd love a few extra sets of hands as we plan, promote, and explore future events. Interested? Email Brynn at [email protected].
ICYMI - Listen to Climate Check's Newest Episode, "Renewable Rikers and the Quest for Justice"
In February of 2021, the NYC City Council passed laws that will reshape Rikers, the prison located on an island off the coast of Queens, which began as a penal colony built on a landfill in 1932. These bills are part of a campaign that was years in the making called Renewable Rikers, led by a coalition that crossed interests and areas of focus. In this episode, host Eva Dean talks with Darren Mack, a co-founder of Freedom Agenda, a formerly incarcerated person, and a survivor of Rikers. They discuss the historic Renewable Rikers bills, Darren's foray in activism, and how environmentalism and decarceration are intertwined Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Want to Take Action on Climate?
Come to 350Brookyn's Monthly Orientation. Tuesday, December 20, 7 pm
New to 350Brooklyn and not sure where to start? Or, maybe you've started working on one campaign but now want to see the organization's "big picture?" Come to our Orientation! Two experienced 350Brooklyn members will give an overview of what we're doing and answer your questions. For a relaxed and informative session, register here.
Build a Better Bottle Bill!
We are working in coalition with other environmental advocates to get a new improved bottle and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bill into the Governor's budget for 2023. Stay tuned for opportunities to lobby online or go to Albany in February. And, please sign this petition urging for the modernization of New York’s 40 year old bottle bill. The petition will be presented to Gov Hochul next month.
2023: A Critical Session in Albany is Coming Up
When our Brooklyn State Senators and Assembly Members return to Albany in January, 350Brooklyn will be pushing hard for them to pass the bills in the NY Renews Climate, Jobs and Justice Package. This visionary group of bills would ensure that the mandates of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act are carried out in full and on time. These bills will give every New Yorker access to affordable renewable energy, will create tens of thousands of union-scale green jobs, and will raise the money from climate polluters and the super-rich. We've already led a half-dozen lobby visits with some of our Brooklyn representatives, and last week's Power Hour spoke with many more. We are looking forward to 2023!
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.
