Weekly Update – July 16 2019
Hi everyone,
I’m back, and so is Dineen! We’re back at full power and ready to jump back into summer organizing. Thank you all for your patience for the past few weeks 🙂
Ashley kindly covered the Weekly Update last week (thanks Ashley!) and made it look a bit nicer. Let me know by a quick vote if you prefer the simple option (i.e. like this email), or the prettier option (see here for a reminder of what that looked like last week) – quick vote here!
And here’s your 350PDX weekly update!
Remember to check out the Volunteer Boards for all our current volunteer opportunities, including Tasks, Roles, Representing 350PDX, Stuff we need. And let me know any suggestions or additions!
Updates
-
Summer Appeal
Last month was the hottest June in recorded history on Earth. The planet has been heating up, but our activism has been too. From the Portland Clean Energy Fund, to our fight against fossil fuel infrastructure, from new campaigns on the Green New Deal and Transportation Justice, to continuing work on ensuring we center climate justice in all our organizing, 350PDX has never been so active. New volunteers are joining every week, and new opportunities, partnerships and campaigns are popping up all the time. But all this activity takes resources, staff time, and money.
Donations from supporters like you keep our movement alive and growing. We are in the midst of our summer appeal and we have set a goal to raise $15,000 by July 31st. AND the 350PDX Board will match the first $6,000 raised!! (Thanks Board!)
-
Huge Zenith Public Hearing Last Night
Last night around 500 people showed up to tell City Council to oppose the expansion of the Zenith Energy tar sands terminal – see OPB article here. Mayor Ted Wheeler, Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty heard testimony from local organizations and individuals and responded to questions. They gave strongly worded responses, but until those words are turned into action we will not let up the pressure on the City Council! 350PDX demanded the City deny any upcoming permits; the City work with DEQ to increase scrutiny on this project; the City implement the fossil fuel zoning codes we passed in 2016; and the City place an immediate stop work order on Zenith’s operations! Read 350PDX’s testimony and demands here. Want to get more involved? Come along to the next Fossil Fuel Resistance team meeting, Thurs July 25, 6pm – details here.
Image: Kristian Foden-Vencil/OPB
Opportunities
-
Hike the Divide – First Look Screening
Wed July 17, 6:30PM – 8:30PM @ 350PDX Fellowship Room, 1820 NE 21st Ave, Portland
Come be part of the very first audience for Hike the Divide: A Conversation about Climate Action on the Continental Divide Trail! The filmmaker, Connor DeVane, is a 350PDX and Sunrise Movement volunteer. The film is 80mins and will begin at 6:30pm. This is a free event.
-
Training: Inclusion For LGBTQ+ People In The Climate Movement
Sat July 20, 3:00PM – 5:00PM @ 350PDX Room 201 (upstairs), 1820 NE 21st Ave
RSVP here. At this training, we will explore the nuances of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the climate movement. We will explore the basics of LGBTQ+ terminology, practice using marginalized pronouns, explore how LGBTQ+ are often excluded, and how we can make our spaces more welcoming and inclusive to the variety of LGBTQ+ experiences. Facebook event here. -
Metro Transportation Funding Task Force meeting & OPAL Rally
Wed July 24, 4:30PM – 7:30PM @ Metro Regional Center, council chamber, 600 NE Grand Ave, Portland
OPAL rally @ 4:30PM, Metro meeting @ 5:30pm.
OPAL are continuing their Up With Riders! campaign (read more here), and the Metro taskforce continue working on what will be in the $20bn ballot measure on transportation next November. Money for roads and car infrastructure? No thank you!
And just in case you weren’t inspired at the start of this email, but you’re super energized now, here’s the donate button again!
Thank you all for the work that you do, and for being part of this joyful and judicious movement,
Chris – 350PDX Volunteer & Communications Coordinator