Take Action Now
Here are the most effective quick actions you can take right now to fight for climate justice. Want to get more involved?
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.
Tell your Legislators to say NO to the Domestic Terrorism Bill
We’re about halfway through the Oregon State Legislative session, and many of the bills could be huge wins for climate and social justice. But one bill — HB 2772, otherwise known as the “Domestic Terrorism Bill” — could set the stage for deep injustices against activists and over-policed communities, Black, Indigenous, and other Oregonians of color. We are deeply concerned that the Domestic Terrorism Bill is rapidly moving through the legislative process with bi-partisan support.
We can’t let Oregon pass a bill that would leave the door wide open for the state to wrongfully charge social and environmental justice activists with “domestic terrorism.” Will you join us in calling on our legislators to oppose the Domestic Terrorism Bill (HB 2772)?
Urge your legislators and Kotek to support the Board of Forestry in adopting a robust Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for western Oregon’s state forests
Oregon forests provide clean water for local communities and habitat for threatened species like salmon, all while acting as a key line of defense against the climate crisis. From extreme heat waves to longer droughts, the effects of climate change are already here. This is a critical moment in time when we need to change the way we manage Oregon forests so they can keep protecting us in the uncertain years ahead.
We need the Habitat Conservation Plan for Western Oregon State Forests (HCP). If passed, the HCP would be a critical step for the State of Oregon to manage forests through more sustainable, climate-smart practices. Although imperfect, the HCP is a good faith effort driven by community input and supported by the Board of Forestry, and would be a huge win for Oregon forests.
But earlier this month, timber interests launched new attacks on the HCP, and are now pressuring our governor and legislators to overrule the Board of Forestry. House Republican legislators have sided with timber, demanding that the Governor oppose the HCP and direct the Department Forestry to maintain unsustainable amounts of logging on state forests.
We need to defend the HCP and our state forests from industry-driven political intervention. We need to remind Governor Kotek and our legislators that their role is to support the Board of Forestry in doing its job, and that we need to manage state forests for the good of all Oregonians, not just the timber industry.
Timeframe: ASAP
The urgency of the climate crisis requires bold and meaningful action at every level of government. Right now, we have an opportunity to create important change across all of Oregon in the 2023 Legislative Session, which runs from January to June.
350PDX enters the 2023 State Legislative session ready to support and advocate for bills that nurture the type of changes we need for a more climate-stable future. 350PDX’s Priority Bills span many different facets of state policy — from housing and land use to financial transparency and climate resilience — but all share a core value of furthering climate justice.
It is essential that our Senators and Representatives hear from us often, in as many different ways we can contact them: emails, phone calls, legislative meetings, constituent coffee days, lobby days in Salem, and more. Please join us in contacting your Oregon State Senator and Representative to highlight these important bills and ask that they are made a priority this session. Your voice as a constituent matters greatly, so use it!
Check out our 2023 Oregon State Legislative Session Priorities to see the most up-to-date information on bills we’re supporting and how you can get involved in getting them passed!
Then, join us in taking action and email this Climate Justice Legislative Package to your legislators, urging them to support these bills this session.
Take Action for Building Resilience!
No matter who we are or where we live, Oregonians deserve homes and buildings that are healthy, affordable, and safe from extreme weather. We have a critical opportunity to move toward that reality this year — but we need your help.
Right now, the Oregon legislature’s top budget writers are considering whether to invest in The Resilient, Efficient Buildings package. We need to make sure they hear us loud and clear that we can’t delay climate action a moment longer.
There’s just too much on the line: This package would reduce climate pollution from our homes and buildings, make it easier for Oregonians to make energy upgrades to our homes, keep families safe from the climate crisis, and lower utility bills. We can’t let this opportunity pass us by. Contact legislative leaders today!
This legislative session, the Building Resilience Coalition is working to pass four priority bills:
– SB 868 – Healthy Heating and Cooling for All: Sets a target to install 500,000 new heat pumps that will both heat and cool homes efficiently and affordably. Provides financial assistance and other help to purchase and install heat pumps and prioritizes low-income households and those at highest risk from extreme weather.
– SB 869 – Build Smart from the Start: Ensures that the building codes for energy efficiency and materials in new construction align with our state climate goals, which is healthier for people, for climate and for family budgets.
– SB 870 – Building Performance Standards: Set standards for energy efficiency and pollution reduction for large, commercial buildings, with enough transition time and financial incentives for owners to make the needed upgrades.
– SB 871 – Smart State Buildings: State buildings should lead by example, and demonstrate how increasing resilience and efficiency and transitioning to clean energy is feasible, affordable, and beneficial.
Write and Call the Portland City Commissioners: Stop Oil Trains and Stop Zenith Energy!
At the end of last year, behind everyone’s backs, the City quietly approved Zenith’s third request for a land use permit, paving the way for Zenith Energy to continue transporting crude oil for 5 more years before supposedly transitioning to “renewable” fuels. The City turned its back on 46 neighborhood associations, Multnomah County, 20 state legislators, 17 environmental and community organizations, and thousands of Portland residents who all expressed concern over Zenith Energy and originally urged the City to deny this permit. This decision was made without any community or Tribal input on the process.
Send Portland City Council members a reminder that they swore an oath to protect and serve the people of Portland, NOT a Texas-based oil company whose business plan destroys the climate and threatens our city’s very existence. Here’s how you can get involved:
Call & Email City Council and Demand they Rescind the LUCS Permit for Zenith:
- Commissioner Carmen Rubio: 503-823-3008, comm.rubio@portlandoregon.gov
- Commissioner Dan Ryan: 503-823-3589, commissionerryanoffice@portlandoregon.gov
- Commissioner Rene Gonzalez: 503-823-4151, gonzalezoffice@portlandoregon.gov
- Commissioner Mingus Mapps: 503-823-4682, mappsoffice@portlandoregon.gov
- Mayor Ted Wheeler: 503-823-4120, mayorwheeler@portlandoregon.gov
Click here for sample language you can share when you call, and to sign the pledge of resistance.
We co-host a series of “Rumble on the River” community forums on Zenith Energy’s oil-by-rail operations and the CEI Hub.
Join us at the next “Rumble on the River” on April 20 — learn more here
You can also check out videos of past forums here:
Tell Governor Kotek: Oppose the GTN XPress!
Together with organizations across the Northwest, we’ve been tirelessly fighting to stop the proposed GTN XPress fracked gas pipeline expansion. Federal regulators are planning on making a decision on the project as soon as next week, on Thursday, April 20th. Washington Governor Inslee and Oregon Senators’ Wyden and Merkley have joined the growing list of public opposition to GTN XPress.
But what about Oregon Governor Kotek? It’s time for our Governor to stand up against GTN XPress! Send Kotek’s office a message now.
Timeframe: ASAP
What can you do to take action?
MAKE CALLS TO DROP THE CHARGES FOR #STOPCOPCITY FOREST DEFENDERS
In March, folks showed up for a Week of Action to defend the Weelaunee Forest and Atlanta community from “Cop City” — a $90 million police-military compound on stolen Muscogee land. On March 5, police terrorized a music festival and arrested 23 people. Now they have been charged with domestic terrorism and are being denied bail. Make calls to demand the authorities drop domestic terrorism charges for all those arrested.
Timeframe: ASAP
Sign the Petition & Write to Congress: Restore Federal Recognition for the Chinook Indian Nation
In 2001, the Chinook Nation obtained federal recognition from the U.S. government. However, celebration turned into heartbreak when the U.S. government rescinded this recognition eighteen months later.
The Chinook Indian Nation was essentially declared nonexistent in the eyes of the government. The nation has been unable to access programs and resources to which federally recognized tribes are entitled. Over the last 20 years, the lack of federal recognition has cost $200 million dollars, opportunities for youth, and countless lives.
Congress has both the power and authority to recognize tribes. We are calling on our elected officials to do what’s right and end this humanitarian crisis. Stop the genocide. Federally recognize the Chinook Indian Nation.
ASAP
Tell your local city and county leaders we need action to protect our communities from harmful methane gas!
Recently, a new report was released that details the public health impacts of methane gas in our community’s homes, apartments, and buildings. The report, Methane Gas: Health, Safety, Economic, and Climate Impacts, is authored by local leaders and experts in our community and 76 different organizations across the region signed on in support of its findings.
Join us in sharing this crucial information with your local City and County elected officials and policy makers. We need our political leaders to stand up for the climate and our health by making a just transition away from gas. As this report shows, research supports the rapid electrification of Pacific Northwest buildings as an affordable way to help meet Oregon’s carbon reduction goals and keep our communities healthy and safe. Thank you.
Timeframe: ASAP
East Portland Residents Oppose Prologis Distribution Center
“We, the members of the East Portland community, strongly oppose the proposed redevelopment of the old K-Mart location at 122nd and NE Sandy Blvd. into a 38-bay distribution center, proposed by ProLogis, Inc. This proposed development poses significant risks and concerns to our community’s health, safety, and well-being.
First, the increased truck traffic and air pollution will have severe impacts on the air quality in our neighborhoods, particularly for the most vulnerable members of our community, such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems. The constant noise and air pollution from the diesel trucks will not only be detrimental to the health of our community members but also create a disruption to the quality of life we cherish.” READ MORE HERE AND SIGN THE PETITION.
350PDX Book Club
Join us for our bimonthly book club, where we alternate between fiction and nonfiction books. We meet on the second Wednesday at 6pm in-person, every other month (in 2023 Feb, April, June, August, Oct, Dec) Contact Chris@350pdx.org to get more info about the next session.
Contemplative Practices for Activists and Other Engaged Humans
A monthly gathering to explore various meditative, contemplative, and creative practices to explore feelings, 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.
Fill in the form here to get invited to the next one.
Timeframe: anytime – it’s not actually specific to summer, and we’re going to change the name soon to reflect that!
350PDX Climate Movement Fundamentals
A free, self-paced, online course that explores the fundamentals of the climate justice movement. 25 video lessons (90 minutes total) take you through three sections:
- People Power 101
- Climate Justice 101
- Finding Your Place In The Movement
This course was originally called 350PDX Summer School, as we made it over the summer of 2022, but the content is relevant all year round. In some of the videos you might hear it referred to as Summer School, so just a heads up!
Click here to enroll in the course.
Anytime
Join the 350PDX Creative Roster
Our Creative Team uses art and storytelling to make the climate justice movement irresistible.
This team does the whole creative process, from developing the story (or the narrative strategy) of our campaigns, to figuring out the most strategic way to get the story out to the right audiences, to producing all the banners, videos, songs, performances, creative direct actions, social media campaigns, press releases, webpages, animations, poems, and whatever else that will get our message out there.
The creative roster is our list of folks with creative skills that we can call on when we have a one-off need. Next time we need a songwriter or a photographer we’ll look through the roster and reach out to a few people who have those skills to see if they are free to help! Sign up here.
Deadline: ASAP
Wall Street CEOs: Stop Funding Climate Chaos
Wall Street banks and insurance companies are the largest financial backers of corporations expanding their fossil fuel operations. Since 2015, six US Banks have loaned nearly $500 billion to the 100 corporations most aggressively expanding fossil fuel operations. Insurance giants AIG, Travelers, Liberty Mutual, and Chubb are among the top ten insurance providers to the oil and gas industry.
Send the CEOs, executives, and top decision-makers of each of these corporations a message: they must pass policies prohibiting support for any company that is continuing to ignore climate science and expand its fossil fuel operations.
Deadline: ASAP
Take Action with Divest Oregon!
Over the past few years, it has become increasingly clear that fossil fuel investments are risky and dangerous. There has been a wave of organizations and states divesting from fossil fuels, most recently the State of New York. Still, the Oregon State Treasury remains invested in fossil fuels. Not only is the Treasury jeopardizing our state’s financial future by holding onto risky investments, but they are actively fueling the Climate Crisis. We’ve already seen the impacts of the crisis – from wildfires to droughts to heat waves. We’ve seen how Black and Indigenous People and People of Color, working people, and other marginalized groups are bearing the worst of these impacts.
Divest Oregon is a grassroots coalition of over 85 organizations, including 350PDX, fighting for our state to divest from fossil fuels and invest in our future.
Learn ways to take action with Divest Oregon!
Become a donor!
350PDX is a grassroots, volunteer led organization. Our supporters not only lead our campaigns and programs, but are foundational pillars in our funding. By making a gift to 350PDX, you are investing in the longevity of our organization and the role we play in building our local climate movement! Anything, from $10, to $20, to $100 helps us fund the movement, and lets us keep our focus on our campaigns instead of fundraising.
Thank you for your support and commitment to climate justice! Donate here.
Do a Facebook Fundraiser for 350PDX
Facebook can be a great tool for the climate movement. A movement grows through personal connections – when people see their friends involved it paves the way for themselves stepping in. By setting up a Facebook Fundraiser you can let your social network know why you care about the climate crisis, and encourage them to take a small first step into climate action – by donating. A birthday fundraiser raising $350 can be super effective at growing the movement! See our guide to Facebook Fundraisers here.
Get trained up on movement skills
There is a world of learning out there. We are standing on the shoulders of the movements and activists who came before us.
We encourage 350PDX volunteers to be on an ongoing journey of learning through their time as activists. Our trainings page has dozens of prerecorded trainings and resources for you to get skilled up, and also shows any upcoming live trainings we’re putting on.
Join the 350PDX Mailing List
We are building a people’s movement to fight for climate justice. Will you join us?
We send a weekly update with all the latest news and opportunities in the Portland climate justice movement, and occasional other action alerts and general emails throughout the month. Join the mailing list here.
Check out our monthly update
Each month we send out a update about what all our teams and campaigns are up to. This is the best place to learn what we are working on, and how best to get involved in our teams and campaigns. Read most recent update here.
Any questions? Email action@350pdx.org.
