Hi everyone,

World leaders are meeting in Glasgow this week to make key decisions about our collective future. This year, the stakes of those decisions are higher than ever. Despite warnings from the International Panel on Climate Change, the world remains on a collision course, with the global climate set to warm 3 degrees C by mid-century. Here in Oregon, we’re already suffering the consequences of insufficient climate action. The decisions from COP26 will impact our wildfire season, the length of our droughts, and ocean level rise on our coastline.

So far, countries at COP26 have pledged to cut their carbon emissions, but on timelines too slow to meet the climate crisis with the urgency it demands. The Indigenous caucus is calling for leaders to go beyond “net zero” goals and aim for absolute carbon reduction. Indigenous people, alongside people from other marginalized communities and the Global South, have historically been left out of these climate talks. It is critical that global leaders, especially leaders from countries in the Global North that have been the main drivers of climate change, listen to these frontline voices. Read more from Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, and Ron Turney, a water protector of the White Earth Nation tribe, about the importance of Indigenous voices at COP26.

It can feel daunting watching global leaders making decisions a half a world away, knowing the outcome of these talks will impact our everyday lives. But we’re far from powerless. As people of the global climate justice movement, we remain steadfast in our commitment to bringing about a just and equitable world. We stay true to our values – calling on leaders at COP26 to center the voices of Black and Indigenous communities, People of Color, working people, and other groups that are facing the brunt of climate catastrophe.

We don’t know what will result from these talks when they wrap up on Nov 12, but we do know that no matter what, we will continue our climate justice work here in Oregon. We will support the thousands of climate activists showing up in Glasgow and around the world calling for action. We will continue believing in the power of local climate action, and the power of centering frontline voices in all the work we do. See daily updates from Democracy Now on COP26 and see below for ways to take action for the climate.

Take Action!

For quick actions like petitions, check out our Take Action Page. See here for our broader Volunteer Opportunities.

Take Local Actions Every Day of COP26 

Take action every day of COP 26 – now until Nov 12 – with the Portland, OR hub of the COP26 Coalition. Together, we can push for Oregon to divest from Fossil Fuels, get Pacific Power off of coal, stop Portland General Electric’s air pollution plans, and show up for a global day of action on Nov 6. Learn more about these actions and others here.

Join COP26PDX Coalition for Global Day of Climate Justice

Sat Nov 6, 4:30-6:30PM, South Waterfront Park (43 SW Naito Pkwy, near Bill Naito Legacy fountain, north of Morrison Bridge)

Join the COP26PDX Coalition to take action in Portland as part of a Global Day of Climate Justice. As the COP26 climate talks continue, we are coming together to call for climate action for our local and world leaders. Meet at 4:30PM on Saturday, Nov 6, at South Waterfront Park. Learn more about this action.

Join Sunrise PDX for ODOT Strike

Wed Nov 10, 4:30-6:00PM, 123 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR 97209

PDX needs climate action, not freeway expansion. Join Sunrise youth outside the regional ODOT building this Wednesday to demand an end to ODOT’s freeway widening projects, including the $800 million expansion into the backyard of Harriet Tubman Middle School. This is a recurring strike, and we plan to be there every other week until our demands are met. Masks and social distancing required, follow @youthvsodot for more details! Learn more about this action here.

Write a Public Comment on Portland’s City Charter Review by Dec 9!

The City of Portland is at a turning point. This fall, the City is undergoing a Charter Review process that could transform how we tackle key problems, from the climate crisis to racial injustice. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for the City to eliminate deep structural barriers that have prevented Portland from becoming the equitable, collaborative, strategic, and community-driven city it could be.

Now through Dec 9 — the City needs to hear from you. Submit a public comment on the Charter Review process by 8:00am on Thursday, Dec 9th

State of Oregon: Time to Divest from Fossil Fuels

The Oregon Treasury has the responsibility of investing our state’s public money, and right now billions of dollars are invested in the fossil fuel industry. Not only is this morally unconscionable in this time of a rapidly worsening climate crisis, it’s also an irresponsible financial investment for Oregonians. Oregon should be at the leading edge of climate-safe investments to support a sustainable future for us all.

Our Defund/Divest team is a part of the newly-launched Divest Oregon campaign, working to get the Oregon Treasury to divest their holdings in the fossil fuel industry. Will you join us by writing to Treasurer Tobias Read and the Oregon Investment Council and calling the Treasury?

Tell US Insurance Executives to Stop Insuring Fossil Fuels

Send your message today!

US Insurers like AIG, Liberty Mutual, and Travelers continue to insure fossil fuel companies with complete disregard for the climate crisis. Take action with Stop the Money Pipeline by sending a message to US insurance executives. 

Updates

350PDX volunteers take action at Wells Fargo Bank to Stop the Money Pipeline

On Oct 29, 350PDX volunteers took action at a local Wells Fargo Bank branch, calling on the bank to divest from fossil fuels. JPMorgan Chase, Citi and Wells Fargo were the biggest financiers of the fossil fuels industry from 2016 to 2020. We need to Stop the Money Pipeline now!

BIPOC youth climate activists continue to lead the movement

It’s no surprise that young people are key leaders in the climate movement, as they are among those who face some of the worst consequences of climate change. Read more from youth climate activists in this article from The Guardian about their views on COP26, real climate solutions, and what it means to build a grassroots movement. Read about the power of BIPOC youth voices in our movement in this article from Truthout.

Indigenous activists say their voices are missing at COP26

“‘The Cop is a big business, a continuation of colonialism where people come not to listen to us, but to make money from our land and natural resources,’ said Ita Mendoza, 46, an indigenous land defender from the Mixteca region of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, attending Cop for the first time.” Read more from this article from The Guardian.

5th International Rights of Nature Tribunal held in parallel to COP26

The International Rights of Nature Tribunal is a citizen-led effort to investigate Rights of Nature violations around the world. Today and tomorrow (Nov 3 and 4), they will convene on cases investigating “false solutions to the climate change crisis” and “Amazon, a threatened living entity.” Learn more here.

Opportunities​​​​

Sidewalk Vigil for Climate Action Now: SW Portland

Fri Nov 5, 8:00-9:00AM, corner of Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy and SW Shattuck Rd

Join a group of climate activists who gather on Fridays calling for bold climate action. Contact Emily (503) 545-1513 for more info or just show up! Learn more here.

Join 350PDX November General Meeting

Mon Nov 8, 6:00-7:15pm, online – register here

Join us for this month’s General Meeting which is open to all and is a great place for new and existing volunteers to meet other volunteers and staff (including our three newest staff Jana, Brenna, and Julia!). We’ll also have a deep dive into a few actions our campaign teams are currently working on, including the City/County Watchdog team’s big city charter campaign. Register here.

Calling Artists for Our End of Year Art Sale!

Deadline: Nov 14 – details here

Are you an artist? Do you have artist friends or family? We are looking for donations of anything from oil paintings to postcards, sketches to sculptures, climate themed or totally unrelated. Price range can be anywhere from $5 – $500 (or more), although last year our best selling items by far were in the $20-$100 range. If you’re interested in donating a piece, or have any questions, please reach out to artsale@350pdx.org or learn more here.

Cook for Climate: COP Edition

Sun Nov 14, 3:00-6:20PM, online – details here

As COP26 wraps up, join youth climate activists from Care About Climate to hear from their delegates who attended the climate talks. Learn more and sign up here!

Fall Training Series – Skilling Up For Climate Action

Join these free trainings offered for all 350 groups across the country, whether you’re brand new or a longtime activist. Register and you’ll receive slides and recordings afterwards too, even if you can’t make it. More info on all the trainings here.

Portland Black Lives Matter Protests

Throughout the week @ across the city – details here

Thank you all for the work that you do, stay safe, we’re all in this together,
Brenna, Chris, Dineen, Gaby, Indi, Jana, Julia – the 350PDX staff