350Brooklyn People vs. Fossil Fuels Join “Spark Joy(e) - Extinguish Fossil Fuels” Event
to Demand Climate Action from President Biden,
and Honor Climate Warrior Joye Braun
On a cold January day, concurrent with twenty seven other 350.org actions across the country, more than seventy people convened at City Hall Park to demand climate action and to honor Indigenous Climate warrior Joye Braun as part of the “Spark Joy(e) - Extinguish Fossil Fuels” event. 350Brooklyn’s People vs. Fossil Fuels workgroup, along with allies Food and Water Watch, New York Communities for Change, the Sunrise Movement, Extinction Rebellion, 350 NYC, and Fridays for Future came together with music, artwork, and a lively crowd to demand climate action and pay tribute to recently deceased climate leader Joye Braun. Ms. Braun played an instrumental role in stopping the Keystone XL Pipeline, fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline, elevating the work of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and led the campaign to urge President Biden to use executive action to stop fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency. With 350Brooklyn’s Brynn Fuller-Becker acting as emcee, we began with a Land Acknowledgement by twelve year-old Asna Kancu Ota Wi of American Indian Community House, then heard from speakers Somah Haaland of Pueblo Action Alliance, Josia Morgan of Amazon Labor Union, Steve Fox, Strategic Organizer for Climate and Environmental Justice, Office of Comptroller, Liat Olenick of Climate Families NYC and the Sunrise Project, and Helen Mancini from Fridays for Future. It was an exciting and inspiring event, and especially great to see the large turnout of young people who were so engaged.
Join The Power Hour Team, Phone Bank for Climate Justice!
Monday and Wednesday Afternoons 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST,
Wednesday Evenings 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST
Do you only have an hour or two a week to fight for climate action? No problem! Join us on Monday and Wednesday afternoons 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST and Wednesday evenings 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST for Power Hour! This is an event where we call, tweet, submit testimony, and email our legislators, pushing for specific climate legislation and action. Evening Power Hours focus on information, testimony, and advocacy. We will continue to address the decarbonization of our city and state and revel in our victory in the Skip The Stuff campaign! The “Skip the Stuff” Bill prohibits takeout and delivery services from providing plastic utensils, condiments, or napkins unless specifically requested by the customer. Yep, we did that! You can help win our next victory, and the one after, and the one after that. We provide all the tools necessary to win. All you need to do is show up! Sign up for Power Hour here!
Save the Date for Upcoming Climate Chats!
Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, Thursday February 9th, 6:30 pm EST
Brooklyn Public Library Greenpoint Branch, Thursday February 16th, 6:30 pm EST
Climate Chats is a project of the Climate Idea Exchange. It’s an opportunity for Brookynites to share their climate concerns, connect with one another, and turn anxiety into action. We're excited to continue collaborating with the Brooklyn Public Library to host two events for February; one at the Central Library on Thursday, February 9th at 6:30 pm EST, and one at the Greenpoint Library on Thursday, February 16th at 6:30 pm EST. Mark your calendars and tell a friend!
The Crisis of Deforestation: Global to Local Perspectives
Monthly Meeting (via Zoom), Thursday February 16th, 7:30 pm EST
Deforestation is at the center of some of the planet’s most urgent crises: increasingly intense natural disasters, unprecedented species loss, and an epidemic of violence against indigenous communities, the natural world’s guardians. There is no way to address the climate crisis without protecting the world’s last standing forests. Join our February meeting on Thursday, February 16th at 7:30 pm EST to examine these issues. We’ll hear global and local perspectives from Jeff Conant, Director of International Forests Program and Friends of the Earth, Sergio, Leia Moncada of Forests for All New York City, and Joan Rutersham, from Friends of Fort Greene Park. Register for the meeting here and share with a friend. All are welcome!
Listen to Climate Check's Newest Episode, "Energy Efficient Buildings: How Local Law 97 Can Change NYC Forever"
Pete Sikora, the Climate and Inequality Campaigns Director for New York Communities for Change, understands that climate justice and housing justice are inextricably linked. That’s why he sees Local Law 97, “the most ambitious city-wide building energy law in the country”, as a unique opportunity to cut the emissions from large buildings, which are the largest source of greenhouse gasses in New York State, while also creating fair wage jobs and holding property owners accountable. On this month's episode of Climate Check, Pete Sikora and host Eva Dean dive into the details of this landmark legislation. They discuss the intriguing details of its passage and enforcement and emphasize that the momentum we need to channel for effective climate action is movement building and people power. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
FROM OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES
Free Activist Trainings in January and February
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm EST, January 25th - February 1st
Transportation Alternatives is an organization that has advocated and worked for pedestrian and bike-friendly spaces in New York City since 1972. We can thank them (among many others, of course) for the presence of our bike lanes, and the concurrent air quality we all enjoy. They are offering a series of free training sessions for activists called Your City, Your Voice. The sessions will take place on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm EST beginning on January 25th, running through Wednesday, February 22nd. January 25th’s session will be 101 - Campaign Planning. February 1st will be 102 - Public Speaking. February 8th: 103 - Social Media. February 15th: 104 - Coalition Building. February 22nd: 105 - Meeting Your Elected Official. Register for one, two, or every session here.
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 wworks to make our city a leader in setting and implementing climate policies that improve life for all NYC residents, especially frontline communities. Our current campaigns include zero-waste legislation, green transportation, healthy buildings, and renewable energy. We are actively looking for new members to help us partner with other groups to reimagine transportation in NYC. Use this google form to connect with City Action.
Climate Check Stories and Solutions is 350Brookyn’s podcast. Each monthly episode breaks down the climate crisis through conversations with local climate activists and community organizers. We discuss individual climate stories and pinpoint policies and local actions that can lead us to a healthier climate and a more just society—from fighting pipelines to working with nature and everything in-between. Email us at [email protected]
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 us at [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 us at [email protected].
Legislation focuses on passing significant climate legislation in Albany and in Washington. We develop relationships with local officials, research key issues, and participate in tactics like rallies and phone relays. Email us at [email protected]
The Media Committee is 350Brooklyn's all-around in-house media team. We write copy, design graphics, run 350BK's social media channels and website, edit our biweekly community newsletter, and oversee creative initiatives like the new 350Brooklyn e-magazine Parts Per Million. Get in touch at [email protected]
People vs. Fossil Fuels/350BK is an action focused-group that works with the national PvFF coalition calling on President Biden to declare a climate emergency, stop approving fossil fuel leases and exports, and support the work of frontline communities across the country. Join us to have fun while we fight the black snake! Learn about the national coalition: peoplevsfossilfuels.org. Email: [email protected]
Plastic Free works to eliminate plastic pollution and reduce reliance on single-use plastic products. We meet monthly via Zoom, and work on a variety of projects including legislative lobbying efforts, campaigns promoting going plastic free, and neighborhood efforts to reduce waste. Email us at [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 us at [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.
