350PDX Weekly Update – COP kicks off – Dec 4 2019

COP25, the UN climate change conference in Madrid, kicked off this week, with 50 world leaders converging to hopefully increase their ambitions and set the final rules before the Paris Agreement comes into effect in 2020.

Back when I lived in the UK I travelled by train to Paris COP21 and to Marrakech COP22. And while the conferences were interesting and moving (I met my wife at COP22!), I’ve since found that the most powerful climate action comes from the bottom-up. It comes from local activists on the ground doing the hard work to get towns, cities and states to take drastic and equitable climate action, which then gets scaled up by other cities, states and countries around the world. The work we do here in Portland has global implications.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out this amazing video made by a couple of our brilliant volunteers!

Here’s your 350PDX weekly update!

Updates

• Join in flooding JPMorgan Chase CEO with letters

  Members of the 350PDX Divest/Reinvest team are working with other climate activists across the country to “flood Jamie Dimon with letters”. Dimon, the CEO of Chase Bank — the main funder of the fossil fuel industry and the only US funder of the hideous Jordan Cove pipeline project — will receive at least 1,000 letters sent all at the same time to his home addresses in early 2020. Deadline for getting the letters in is January 17. Here’s what to do:

  1. Print copies of this sample letter to Jamie Dimon (or write your own letter!) — maybe you need 1 or 100 copies.

  2. Take copies of the letter to meetings, gatherings, etc. and ask people to sign the letter. People can add their own message, drawings, or emojis, to the letter! PLEASE HAVE THE PERSON SIGNING PRINT THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW THE SIGNATURE.

  3. Once you have collected the signed copies of the letter(s), get those letters to Jenifer Schramm by dropping them off or mailing them to Dineen at the 350PDX office (1820 NE 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97212). We will put the letters in envelopes, address and stamp, and send them all on the same day to create the “flood.” If you need letters picked up, or have any questions, email jenifer@350pdx.org.

• Art movers needed

  When we have a rally in Salem, or a climate strike in downtown Portland, we are often faced with the difficulty of loading, transporting and unloading the banners, signs and other art we make for the event. We need a few strong people who’d be willing to occasionally help at these events, and we also need folks with vehicles who are sometimes free to help move things. Is this you? Thank you! Let Donna know – murph1949@aol.com.

• We’re on XRAYFM!

  Hey all you radio listeners, be sure to tune into XRAYFM on channel 91.1 & 107.1 FM to hear our new radio spot for the Give Guide! A donation to the Give Guide tomorrow will enter you in a raffle to win the PDX Foodie Package! More info about tomorrow’s prize and the Give Guide HERE.

Opportunities

• One Year Celebration and Video Screening, Portland Clean Energy Fund

  TONIGHT Weds Dec 4, 5:00PM – 7:00PM @ Oregon Chapter, Sierra Club, 1821 SE Ankeny St, Portland Facebook event here.

  It’s been one year since we won at the ballot! Join us to celebrate our accomplishments and screen the new 10 minute PCEF video. We’ll also get an update on implementing the new law this year.

  This is a chance to reconnect for those who were involved in this process from the beginning, as well as an opportunity for those who have become involved more recently to connect.

  Join us for pizza, popcorn, and a good time! 6 pm – Video and program

• Do Good Get Down! Party for Climate Justice

  TOMORROW Thurs Dec 5, 4:00PM – 7:00PM @ High Water Mark Lounge, 6800 NE M L King Blvd, Portland

  350PDX, Bark, Crag Law Center and Camp ELSO have joined forces to put on a groovy Give Guide event. Please break out your funkiest retro look and join us for a night of far out beats provided by the Latinx DJ collective Noche Libre! We will also have a photo booth, raffle prizes and endless groovy vibes! So be sure to invite your friends, can you dig? To get your tickets you must donate $10 or more on the day of the event (12/5) to one of the participating organizations through the Give! Guide. Donate online here and show your receipt at the door, or donate at the door. It’s gonna be fun!! *This event is 21+*

• Climate Strike

  Portland – Fri Dec 6, 10:30AM – 12:30PM @ Shemanski Park, 1010 SW Park Ave – details here
  Beaverton – Fri Dec 6, 9:00AM – 10:00AM @ Beaverton City Hall, 12725 SW Millikan Way – details here

• Fire Drill Fridays

  Fri Dec 6, 12:00PM – 1:00PM @ Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Portland

  Public vigil each week — same time, same place — delivering the message that we must continue to oppose expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in Portland. The message is also to give appreciation to the City and County governments when they act courageously and collaboratively with us and to pressure them to continue to ramp up their opposition. All are welcome to participate in this nonviolent Friday fixture. Bring a sign saying something like “Stop Zenith Energy” or “Fire Drill Fridays” if you have it!

• Virtual Bridge for COP 25

  Sat Dec 7, 10:00AM – 12:00PM @ Lewis and Clark College

  Ocean Theme Day. The idea of the virtual bridge is to give local people a chance to experience what is taking place at COP25 and to have an impact on the proceedings by communicating with observers, delegates, and others attending the conference. Info here.

• Shame on ODOT: Climate Leaders Don’t Widen Freeways

  Tues Dec 10, 4:00PM – 6:00PM @ ODOT Region1 HQ, 123 NW Flanders, Portland

  Next month, members of the Oregon Transportation Commission will be voting on whether to move forward with their existing plans for the Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion or instead conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). An EIS has been demanded by dozens of prominent politicians and community organizations, but ODOT instead is ignoring our demands that the agency reconsider freeway expansion in a time of climate change, air pollution, and demand for meaningful investment in transit, biking and walking. So let’s make sure ODOT can no longer ignore us.

  Sunrise PDX and No More Freeways will be hosting a demonstration at ODOT’s headquarters asking Governor Kate Brown, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, and members of the Oregon Transportation Commission to stand up for climate leadership and demand a more rigorous study of the climate, air pollution, and congestion impacts of the proposed $500 million Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion.

  Please join us for cider, holiday climate carols, and a brief presentation with speeches from leaders of Portland’s local climate justice movement.

• Metro 2020 Taskforce Meeting

  Wed Dec 11, 5:30PM – 7:30PM @ World Trade Center, plaza conference room, 121 SW Salmon St, Portland

  The Transportation Funding Task Force advises the Metro Council on the development of a possible 2020 regional transportation investment measure. These meetings are our chance to push for more funding for public transit and bike/pedestrian infrastructure, and less funding for fossil fuel (car) projects. Wear red!

• City of Portland’s Progress Report on 100% Renewable Energy

  Thurs Dec 12, 3:00PM – 4:00PM @ Portland City Council, 1221 SW 4th Avenue

  In 2017 Portland committed to a just transition to 100% renewable energy. On Thursday, December 12, the City of Portland will give their first report on progress towards this 100% Renewable Energy Resolution. The report will include presentations from utilities PGE, Pacific Power, and Northwest Natural, and testimony from community organizations, including 350PDX. Come out to hold our leaders accountable and to show your support for strong action for a just transition. Wear green and/or red!

• Civil Disobedience Workshop

  Sat Dec 14, 10:00AM – 3:00PM @ RSVP for location – contact Bonnie: (503) 705-1943, or goto350pdx@gmail.com.

  This free workshop is for people considering risking arrest, those who want to support others risking arrest, or for those who want a greater understanding of why civil disobedience is an effective tactic. Please plan on participating through the entire session.
  Workshop Includes…
  – Brief History of Civil Disobedience
  – Personal Grounding
  – Possible Legal Consequences
  – Practical Preparation for Risking Arrest
  – Know Your Rights – Action Roles and Tactics
  – Action Practice and Planning

Thank you all for the work that you do, you make me so proud to be part of 350PDX,
Chris – 350PDX Volunteer & Communications Coordinator