How do we create the just, resilient world we all deserve? By coming together in huge numbers behind a common vision. From the People Power protests in the Philippines to the Rose Revolution in Georgia, movements of the past have taught us a simple rule: when 3.5% of the population takes action, they tend to win. 350PDX draws from the 3.5% rule and the wisdom of past movements as we fight for radical change here in Portland. That’s why we’re committed to building people power.
Want to learn more about people power and how to skill up your climate activism?
Join a People Power 101 Study Group!
In July, our free, self-paced, online training course went live, and 135 of you have signed up in the past two months. The course is made up of short video lessons that go through some of the foundational concepts that the climate movement is based on. It includes three sections, the first of which is People Power 101, and includes approx 35 minutes of video lessons with some optional additional reading. I learned a lot while making the course, and hopefully you’ll learn a lot by doing the course, and I’m creating this study group evening session as a space where we can come together and discuss what we learned, ask each other questions, and try and put some of these principles into practice around our current campaigns.
So join me on Tuesday, Sept 20th, from 6:00-8:00pm, in-person at the 350PDX Office, 3625 N Mississippi Ave. We’ll be inside in a conference room with masks recommended but optional. We’ll have some snacks and drinks, feel free to bring potluck food if inspiration strikes. RSVP here for the Study Group! We’ll start with a review of the concepts, but please make an effort to complete the People Power 101 section of the training course before coming along. If it goes well we’ll have study group sessions for the other sections too. Hope to see you there!
-Chris Palmer, 350PDX Volunteer Manager
Take Action
For quick actions like petitions, check out our Take Action Page. See here for our broader Volunteer Opportunities.
Events & Opportunities
350PDX Jam Night!
Weds Sept 28th, 6-8pm — In the backyard at this address: 3547 NE 45th Ave, Portland, 97213 — register here
Join us for a jam evening full of music, singalongs, protest songs, and anything else musical! Bring your instruments, your voices, or just to come and watch! We’ll have songbooks to play from but will also take the lead from each other of what to play! We’ll have some drinks, feel free to bring food or drinks to share, or just bring yourself. Come alone or bring a musical climate-interested friend or partner! RSVP here so we know how many people to expect.
Stop the Schumer-Manchin Side Deal
Fri, Sept 9, 1pm — Senator Wyden’s office (911 NE 11th, Portland).
Join Extinction Rebellion PDX this Friday (Sept 9) at 1:00 pm at Senator Wyden’s office, where we’ll call on him to come out against the Manchin/Schumer dirty side deal, the “permitting reform bill.” We want as many people as we can get to show up at Wyden’s office. Bring signs if you have them, or not, we do have some. “No Dirty Side Deal” will be the focus of the action. Read more about the ugly deal here.
Webinar: Understanding the Science
Sat, Sept 10, 11pm — online, Register here.
Addressing the wildfire crisis in the West requires reframing it as a home-ignition problem and not a wildland fire problem. Understanding the science of home ignition—or how a home burns down—can inform effective community planning, federal and state policies, and locally-driven solutions to reduce wildfire risks to homes and neighborhoods. Join Dr. Chad Hanson of the John Muir Project & Dr. Kimiko Barrett of Headwaters Economics for a 90 minute discussion with Q&A, as they help us understand the science!
Portland Charter Reform YES Campaign Kick Off
Sat, Sep 10, 6:00-8:30pm — location tbd, register here
Join Portland United for Change at a kick-off event for their campaign to pass meaningful and comprehensive change to Portland’s government. The Portland charter reform ballot measure will strengthen our democracy by giving Portland voters more voice and more choice in City Council elections. Come learn all about it and meet the team on September 10th!
Deep Roots Action Camp
Sept 16-18, Flat Country Timber Sale, Willamette National Forest — Register here
The 350PDX Forest Defense team invites you to join with us and other members of the Pacific NW Forest Climate Alliance at the Deep Roots Action Camp in the Flat Country Timber Sale, Willamette National Forest, on Sept. 16-18. Trainings include: organizing & participating in direct action, creating vibrant protest art, decolonization & forest defense, Know Your Rights, organizing with affinity groups, and more! For more information or if you need to borrow camping gear, reach out to: forestclimatecoordinator@
Divest from Wall Street Forestry
SAVE THE DATE: October 6th.
There will be a rally in Portland to encourage TIAA to divest from Wall Street forestry (their subsidiary Nuveen Natural Capital owns a lot of Clatsop County and forest land worldwide, and is a big clearcutter!). This is being led by our comrades at Sunrise PDX, and we want to show up and support!
Portland Black Lives Matter Protests
Throughout the week @ across the city – details here
Worker Solidarity Actions
Throughout the week @ across the city – visit the Portland Jobs with Justice page for more info (PJWJ is a coalition of over 100 labor, faith, community and student organizations and individual activists taking action for workers rights and economic justice). Also see their list of solidarity actions.
News & Updates
Thank you to everyone who came to our Volunteer Party!
It was great to see so many folks at our annual 350PDX Volunteer Party last week! Want to join the volunteer community? Sign up here!
News Highlights
- Climate Groups Gear Up for Massive Mobilization Against Manchin’s Dirty Deal
- Manchin’s Dirty Deal Must Be Stopped
- In the Pacific Northwest, Salmon Declines Upend a Way of Life
- “Handshake Activism” Won’t Defuse the Climate Emergency
- The crisis in Jackson shows how climate change is threatening water supplies
- How to Save a Forest by Burning It
- Clean Energy Projects Surge After Climate Bill Passage
- A Summer of Climate Disasters
- Vancouver doctor sees climate change’s impact on patients’ health
- Big oil companies are spending millions to appear ‘green.’ Their investments tell a different story, report shows
- When the Climate Crisis Hits Home
- Baby Boomers Mobilize Around Climate Change
- America’s electric utilities spent decades spreading climate misinformation
- Study: Antarctica’s ‘doomsday glacier’ could retreat faster than expected
In love and gratitude,
Anissa, Brenna, Chris, Dineen, Emily, Indi, Julia – the 350PDX staff
