Hi everyone,

We’re still celebrating this week’s victory: we passed City Charter Reform Measure 26-228! Over 58% of Portland voters said YES to Measure 26-288, putting us on a path to becoming a city that works for everyone. This puts in motion a package of city charter amendments that will expand city council to increase representation, bring in a city administrator to better manage city services, and establish ranked choice voting for mayor, auditor and city council elections. Read more about what happens now to implement these changes in this article from the Portland Mercury.

This win will shape how our City will tackle key problems — from racial injustice to the climate crisis — for the next decade. We’re so proud to have been a part of the historic Portland United for Change coalition, joining civic groups, labor unions, political scientists, small businesses, and communities from all walks of life to build a brighter future for our city.

Our work isn’t done. Let’s make sure the new City Charter prioritizes climate and environmental justice!

Go to a Charter Commission Meeting! – Nov 17 & 19

Join one of two public hearings scheduled for November and give feedback on the City Attorney’s draft amendments!

Submit a written comment – by Nov 28th

Draft amendments will were released yesterday, Nov 10th; submit a written comment to the Charter Commission by 7:00 PM on November 28th.

Read on for more opportunities to take action. Thank you for being a part of this work! Together, we will keep building the just, resilient future we all deserve.

In solidarity,

350PDX Staff and Community

Take Action

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

Stop dangerous oil-by-rail in our communities.

Despite years of public outcry against Zenith’s dangerous operations, on October 3, the City of Portland quietly approved a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS)—giving Zenith the green light for five more years of oil trains. Demand the City of Portland reconsider the approval of Zenith and include public input! Join us in sending a message to the City today.

Tell your Senators: Stop the GTN XPress Pipeline Expansion!

For years, communities in the Pacific Northwest have been standing up to fossil fuel corporations. Now, TC Energy (the company behind Keystone XL) is trying to quietly expand the GTN pipeline with an additional 150 million cubic feet of gas per day while also adding a new gas compressor station in Morrow County, OR. This proposed expansion project is called GTN Xpress. This proposal is expected to result in more than 3.24 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, akin to adding 754,000 passenger vehicles on the road per year until 2052! This would be a massive step backwards for our community.

Instead of investing in dirty fossil fuels, like GTN XPress, our communities need investment in a just transition to clean energy and energy efficiency. Email Senators Wyden and Merkley here calling for investments in clean energy, not GTN XPress. 

Sign the 350PDX Pledge of Action!

Climate change is scary, but there are meaningful actions that anyone can take to fight back. Help us build the just, resilient world we all deserve by signing the Pledge of Action! Whether you are brand-new to the movement or a seasoned activist, we want you to join us by taking the pledge. Sign the 350PDX Pledge of Action here.

Donate Art to the 350PDX Art Sale!

We’re excited to announce we’ll be doing our end of year Art Sale for Climate Justice fundraiser for the third year running! We’ll be selling donated pieces of art with all proceeds going to 350PDX to help us hit our much needed end of year fundraising target of $100,000.

Are you an artist? Do you have artist friends or family? We’re looking for donations of anything from oil paintings to postcards, sketches to sculptures. The art can be climate themed or totally unrelated. We’d be happy to give an in-kind tax-deductible donation receipt for the piece you donate. Deadline: Now through mid-November. If you’re interested in donating a piece, fill out the intake form here.

Events & Opportunities

“Rumble on the River” #2: A Community Forum on Zenith Energy and the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub in Portland

Wed, Nov 16, 6-8pm — St. Luke Lutheran Church (4595 SW California St, Portland) — learn more here

A free community-driven forum about the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub and Zenith Energy’s oil-by-rail. In this forum, you’ll learn about the CEI Hub and Zenith Energy’s threats to public health, safety, and our environment, and learn how to take action.The CEI Hub is a six-mile stretch of old tank farms, located in NW Portland along the Willamette River and holding more than 90% of all liquid fuel in Oregon. The hub is on an earthquake liquefaction zone, and in the event of an earthquake, local communities would face huge threats to their health and safety. The CEI Hub is also home to a Zenith Energy oil terminal and oil-by-rail operations, which pose even more threats to our communities.

Northwest Rally for Our Forests and Climate

Thurs, Nov 17, 11:30am-12:30pm — Terry Schrunk Plaza (directly across from the regional Forest Service office) – RSVP here

Preserving our mature and old-growth forests is one of the best ways we can fight climate change, as well as preserve wildlife habitat and drinking water. Join us and other activists rallying across the country to make sure the Forest Service (and the Biden administration) knows our forests are worth more standing!

We’ll start gathering between 11:30 AM and noon at Terry Schrunk Plaza (directly across from the regional Forest Service office) for live music and hot drinks, to make art together, and deliver a petition signed by over 100,000 forest lovers from across the US to make our message loud and clear that we need a lasting, durable rule that protects these climate forests from destructive logging projects. Sign up for more details and updates on this important event!

350PDX Art Build

Sun, Nov 13th, 1:00-4:00pm — 350PDX office, 3625 N Mississippi Ave – learn more here

The 350PDX Arts Team hosts a monthly art build to create posters, puppets, t-shirts and more for upcoming climate justice actions. Join them this Sunday from 1-4pm at the Rebuilding Center (3625 N Mississippi Ave, Portland). No experience necessary! Please email Donna murph1949@aol.com to RSVP or for more information about getting involved in the Arts Arts Team! Details can change last minute so please email ahead!

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

New Report from Multnomah County Health Department: Public Health & Gas Stoves

The Multnomah County Health Department has released a report detailing the public health risks associated with gas stoves. The report confirms that gas stoves release dangerous air pollutants that increase the risk of childhood asthma and other respiratory problems. To protect public health, improve air quality in homes, and mitigate climate change, the report recommends replacing gas stoves and other gas-burning appliances like furnaces with electric alternatives at time of burnout. Read the full report here.

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

Victory for City Charter Reforms! Two In-Person Actions This Week