Hi everyone,

The climate crisis is here, and already low-income communities, Black and Indigenous people and People of Color are being hit first and worst. The most recent report from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) drives home that we are at a critical point in the fight for climate justice. We are approaching dangerous tipping points, where increases in our planet’s global temperature could irreversibly change our planet.

The report showed that our window of opportunity is closing — both to stop the crisis and adapt to a changing climate. “These impacts are happening much faster, much more widespread, and more severe than we had previously thought,” said Sherilee Harper, the lead author of the IPCC report’s chapter.

The IPCC acknowledged for the first time that the crisis is tied to increases in anxiety, grief, trauma, and other mental health issues. We are already feeling the affects of this crisis, and there is widespread fear for the future. But we still have time. People like you are taking action all around the world, and we will keep fighting for the future we deserve. The IPCC report made it clear that policymakers must listen to the people calling for climate action, especially those most impacted by the crisis. World leaders must invest in mitigation efforts to help those most vulnerable to impacts while listening to voices from those communities, who know best what they need. We must resist false solutions, eliminate fossil fuels once and for all, and work together to create a more just, resilient world.

Here in Oregon, that means fighting for local legislation for things like emergency heat relief, protecting Oregon workers from climate hazards, and increasing carbon sequestration in natural and working lands. That means taking action to defend our forests, which in turn clean our drinking water, protect wildlife habitat, and sequester and store carbon. That means continuing to build a climate justice movement in Oregon that policymakers can’t ignore — and all the while, taking care of each other so that together, we can face what’s next.

Read on for opportunities to take action for racial and climate justice as well as events, news, and resources.

Take Action

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

350PDX Endorses 3000 Challenge PDX – you should too!

Housing justice is key to building a resilient community in the face of the climate crisis. That is why 350PDX endorsed 3000 Challenge PDX — a collective of advocates, service providers, people with lived experience of homelessness, and neighbors who support true solutions that help instead of harm. This campaign calls for the city to house 3,000 people in 2022 who are currently unhoused. Equitable housing solutions must quickly create safe, healing spaces for people that meet their diverse needs and honor their dignity and autonomy. Sign on to the campaign to show support for bold action for housing justice.

Join the Divest Oregon campaign!

Thank you to everyone who took action to support the Treasury Transparency bill! Hundreds of Oregonians submitted testimony and met with their legislators. We sent countless texts, calls, and emails to make our voices heard in demanding transparency from our State Treasury. With strong legislative support, the Treasury Transparency bill (HB4115-3) passed the Oregon State House, but the Senate adjourned early before considering the bill. It is clear that Oregonians across the state want to know where the Treasury is investing our money.

Our fight is far from over. The Divest Oregon coalition is now 87 organizations strong, and still growing. We will keep fighting to shine a light on the Oregon Treasury’s investments, until the Treasury divests from fossil fuels and invests in our future. Join the Divest Oregon campaign at divestoregon.org!

Tell Biden to Build Back Fossil Free

The Biden administration has acknowledged the climate crisis is a “code red for humanity,” but has failed to stop fracking, pipelines, offshore drilling, and other fossil fuel projects. Recently, over 1000 organizations called on Biden to declare a climate emergency. Join us in calling on Biden to stop all new fossil fuel projects and #BuildBackFossilFree!

Keep up the heat on OPB! Our public radio shouldn’t air fossil fuel ads

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is still running advertisement and sponsorship ads for NW Natural – a fossil fuel company trying to sell the public greenwashed fracked gas. When OPB promotes the use of fracked gas through ads that ignore harms to our communities, they lose our trust as listeners. OPB already refuses to air ads from tobacco and weapons companies — why are fossil fuels getting a free pass?

Events & Opportunities

350PDX March General Meeting

Wed Mar 23, 6:00-7:30pm, virtual

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 staff and other volunteers, come and hear what the other teams are up to, and to do a deep dive into a topic. On Zoom, register here. (This meeting was originally scheduled for Mar 15, but has been rescheduled to Weds Mar 23)

350PDX Action Night (in person)

Thurs Mar 31, 6:00-8:00pm, in person at 350PDX office (3625 N Mississippi Ave)

Join us for our first 350PDX Action Night, a monthly in-person gathering at our offices where we’ll be leaning into all the stuff we can’t do on Zoom! Please RSVP here so we can get a sense of how many people are coming.

Youth vs. ODOT Strike

Wed Mar 2, 4:30-6:00pm, location varies (see @youthvsodot on Twitter or Instagram for updates)

Join Sunrise PDX every other 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 until demands are met. Masks and social distancing required. LOCATION VARIES see @youthvsodot on Twitter or Instagram for updates.

From the Zinn Education Project — Myths About Mass Incarceration: Online Class with Vikki Law

Mon Mar 14, 4:00pm, virtual

Join journalist Vikki Law for a class on the myths of mass incarceration, as she discussed in her book Prisons Make Us Safer. “[The book] is an essential resource for clearing away master narratives about imprisonment in our society. [Law] not only takes on the distortions of the right, but challenges progressives to think more deeply about the root causes and outcomes of mass incarceration.” – Rethinking Schools editor Jesse Hagopian. Learn more and sign up for the class here.

Forest Team Hike in Forest Park

Sat Mar 19, 10:00am-12:00pm, Audubon Center (5151 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR 97210)

Join the Forest Defense team for a ~2 mile hike in Forest Park. We’ll meet at 10am on March 19 at the Audubon Center. A good time to get to meet some nice people, to get more involved in the team, or to come and just stretch your legs in good company! Feel free to call or text Felice, one of the team co-leads, if you’re late or lost – 202-494-2852.

We Believe We Will Win: A Rally to Stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline

Thurs Apr 7, 4:00-5:00pm, virtual

Join POWHR for a virtual rally to #StopMVP. Hear from Indigenous water protectors, Black leaders, climate activists, and landowners April 7, 4-5pm PT. Stopping pipelines like MVP or LNG is about protecting Indigenous sovereignty, the climate, the water, and the land. Learn how a BIPOC-led movement has delivered massive blows to the Mountain Valley Pipeline project and the fracked gas industry as a whole. Register here.

Portland Black Lives Matter Protests

Throughout the week @ across the city – details here

News & Updates

Over 1,000 Groups Call On Biden To Use His Executive Authority on Climate And “Build Back Fossil Free”

350PDX joined over 1000 groups from around the country calling on Biden to stop approving fossil fuel projects, declare a national climate emergency, and Build Back Fossil Free. “As 1,140 organizations collectively representing millions of members and supporters, including Indigenous, Black, Brown, and frontline communities, we urge you to use your executive authority to speed the end of the fossil fuel era, protect our communities from the climate emergency, and address the severe harms caused by fossil fuels.” Read the full letter here.

A win for climate action at Portland Public Schools!

THANK YOU to everyone who took action to support students leading on climate justice at Portland Public Schools! Last week, the PPS school board listened to students and unanimously adopted a bold and comprehensive climate policy. See the full Instagram update from Grant High School District Student Rep @dannyxcage here.

HEADLINES:

Resources

Resources for learning and building people power to win a just and fossil free world.

Apply for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program before March 14

The Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance program (OERAP) provides rental assistance to low-income households with past due rent. OERAP is closing to new applicants on Monday, March 14 at 11:59 PM. New applicants should apply soon, you can learn more and find the application here.

New Report — Investing In Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Behavioral Health Care In Oregon

The Coalition of Communities of Color released a report on a community-led statewide research project aimed at improving the “access, utilization, and outcomes for behavioral health care,” specifically for BIPOC communities. The report provides recommendations for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs). Read the full report here.

Discussion — Climate Solutions from the Frontlines of Environmental Justice

Grist and the Climate Justice Alliance sponsored a discussion with leaders from UPROSE, Ironbound Community Corporation, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and Indigenous Environmental Network to talk about centering climate solutions from the frontlines. See a recording of the discussion here.

New Report — Averting Climate Catastrophe: Fossil Fuels Must End While Renewables Take Over

A new report from Food & Water Watch shows why the world must eliminate the fossil fuel industry to save our collective future, and that just expanding renewables is not enough. Read the full report here.

We know this is a difficult time for many, and we hope that you and yours are staying safe and healthy.

In love and gratitude,
Brenna, Chris, Dineen, Indi, Julia – the 350PDX staff