350PDX Weekly Update – How to Stop Freaking Out and Tackle Climate Change – Jan 15 2020

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Hi everyone,

Thank you so much to the 32 new people who came to the Volunteer Orientation last week, and the 75 people who showed up to last night’s General Meeting. It really feels like we’re starting this decade off with so much power and potential and growth. I’m excited to see what we’ll achieve together in 2020.

New volunteers (and long-standing ones too) can go through a cycle of emotions when confronting the climate crisis day in and day out. Empowerment and optimism can quickly switch to the opposite. So this week I wanted to share this brilliant new article in the New York Times written by a southern Oregon activist – “How to Stop Freaking Out and Tackle Climate Change: Here’s a five-step plan to deal with the stress and become part of the solution.” If NYT has its paywall up you can read it here too.

And I encourage you all to check out the great work our Climate Odyssey team is doing, that delves into some of these topics. Check out their upcoming event on Sunday here.

Here’s your 350PDX weekly update.

Requests

  • Donate to the victims of Volcano Taal in the Philippines

    Climate justice means international solidarity, and previously non-climate issues are becoming more explicitly related to the climate crisis. In this case a volcanic eruption is hitting communities made less resilient by recent typhoons. Our past colleague Misha shares this message with you all. “The victims of Volcano Taal (including my own family, located 10 miles from the eruption) are front-line communities. Islander, brown, peasant, rural poor and urban poor communities are the most impacted by this eruption. There are so many “natural” disasters recently. When we talk climate change and its global impacts, we must talk about Capitalism and Imperialism. On the 24th of December, the island of Panay was devastated by Typhoon Ursula, and now more and more areas are at risk of earthquakes, typhoons and ash-fall. Climate change is mother nature having a fever- trying to heal herself from the impacts of capitalism and imperialism. The foundation is a foundation that disseminates any money directly back to the people. I trust them deeply- they’ve done amazing work. I encourage folks to also remember – a US dollar goes far in Philippine Pesos. Your $5 can do a lot.” You can donate here.

  • Flood Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s Phone

    TOMORROW Thurs Jan 16, all dayCall Jamie Dimon, CEO, and let him know that JPMorgan Chase needs to stop funding fossil fuel infrastructure especially Jordan Cove! All week groups across the country have been constantly ringing his phone, and Thursday is 350PDX‘s day to call! It’s quick and easy! Use this call page for the phone number and what to say. 2020 is the year of bank defunding!

Opportunities

  • Forest Defense Team Kickoff Meeting

    TONIGHT Wed Jan 15, 6:00PM – 8:00PM @ 350PDX, 1820 NE 21st Ave, PortlandCome along to the first ever meeting of the 350PDX Forest Defense Team! We’ll be giving an introduction to the relation between forests and carbon, and diving deep into the Forest Waters Protection Act – a ballot measure that Oregon will be voting on in November 2020. Want to make a difference in the climate justice movement, and also get the opportunity to be outside in the forest? This is the team for you!

  • Flood Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s with letters

    Fri Jan 17, deadline for getting letters to 350PDXJoin climate activists across the country to flood Jamie Dimon with a 1000+ letters!  Dimon is the CEO of Chase Bank — the biggest funder of the fossil fuel industry and the LARGEST US funder of the hideous Jordan Cove pipeline project.  He will receive at least 1000 letters sent all at the same time to his home address demanding that Chase immediately stop funding new fossil fuel projects (arctic drilling, new pipelines, etc.) and make a plan to eliminate funding of current fossil fuel projects by 2030. Letters and instructions here.

    Fire Drill Fridays

    Fri Jan 17, 12:00PM – 1:00PM @ Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave, PortlandEvery Friday folks are assembling outside City Hall in an energetic and colorful vigil to keep the pressure on Mayor Ted Wheeler to shut down the Zenith tar sands terminal in NW Porland, and to raise awareness from people and cars passing by.

    Bring signs or banners, or just bring yourself. Among the many things such a sign can say is “Fire Drill Fridays,” “Stop Zenith Energy,” “No More Bomb Trains,” “Mayor & Commissioners: Stand Strong!” 2×3 signs are big enough to be visible to walkers-by and drivers-by.

  • Climate Change Open Forum: Is Portland Making a Difference?

    Fri Jan 17, 7:30PM – 9:30PM @ Process Work Institute, 2049 NW Hoyt St, PortlandLocal community event – “You are invited to our upcoming forum on Climate Change: Is Portland Doing Enough?, a free-range discussion between local organizations and members of the general public (this could be you!) Six groups will open the event by each sharing a short 3min presentation (20min) meant to seed the ensuing full-group discussion (1h40min). *Your* voice, perspective, or (simply) presence is a vital part of our community!  We welcome it!” Facebook event here.

    Contemplative Practices for Activists and Other Engaged Humans

    Sun Jan 19, 7:00PM – 8:30PM @ Unfold Yoga, 2370 SE 37th Ave, PortlandA monthly gathering to explore various meditative, contemplative, and creative practices to deepen our intention and support our hearts as we contemplate and clarify our role as citizens. Drawing from both traditional and emergent ideas and practices, we grow our sense of belonging and groundedness with joy, gratitude, and radical honesty.Cost: $5-$15 sliding scale, no one turned away. Register and more info here.

  • Portland Public Schools – Climate Justice Board Meeting

    Tues Jan 21, 6:00PM – 8:00PM @ PPS District Offices, 501 N Dixon St, PortlandThe Portland Public Schools Board will be addressing Climate Justice at their Board Meeting. The district staff will update the Board on the district’s progress on climate justice. While PPS now has filled a Climate Justice Coordinator position, progress has been slow and minimal. The Climate Justice Committee (made up of teachers, students and community members – many of whom are 350PDX members) will testify on the progress that has been made (and the lack thereof). We need to send a strong message to the state’s largest school district that they have to take climate justice work more seriously and do more, much sooner. Please help support the Climate Justice Committee by showing up and showing support, wearing red of course! 

    In The Blast Zone: A Panel Discussion On Tar Sands-Oil-By-Rail

    Tues Jan 21, 7:00PM – 9:00PM @ Patagonia, 1106 W Burnside, Downtown PortlandThe tar sands of Alberta, Canada is the largest industrial project on the planet. Visible from space, this massive extraction project produces the most polluting and ecologically destructive fossil fuel, surpassing all other oils for total greenhouse gasses emitted.

    In 2018, tar sand came to Portland with the opening of the Zenith Energy oil terminal, which quietly turned an asphalt facility on the Willamette River into the first tar sands by rail export terminal on the West Coast. Join Center for Sustainable Economy and allies for a panel discussion from activists fighting tar sands by rail in the Pacific Northwest. Facebook Event here.

Thank you all for the work that you do, here’s to ten years of radical positive change,
Chris – 350PDX Volunteer & Communications Coordinator

How to Stop Freaking Out and Tackle Climate Change 350PDX Weekly Update – Juliana vs. US – Jan 22 2020