Photo taken by Dan Villa
On Saturday, in Tacoma and around the world, we rose. And by rising we’re winning. In case you hadn’t heard:
TRANS MOUNTAIN EXPANSION SHUT DOWN!
On August 30th the Canadian Federal Court of Appeal quashed the Trudeau government’s approval of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project in a major legal victory for the environment and indigenous rights. Construction on this project is now officially stopped! Indigenous self-determination is the main force behind the expansion’s dead-end, along with non-indigenous allies around the world.
The Canadian government may appeal the decision to their Supreme Court. While that’s a lengthy process, now’s not the time to grow complacent: Enbridge continues to expand tar sands production through the Line 3 pipeline.
We recognize the power of working together to protect what we love. The Thin Green Line holds—again. When we fight, we win!
SALISH SEA DAY OF ACTION
350 Seattle is partnering with communities all around the Salish Sea bioregion to protect our precious water, orcas, and all those who depend on the living sea. We are leading the way to join voices of people on both sides of the border, in places large and small, to protect the Salish Sea from the cumulative toxic effects of climate change and pollution.
A feast of actions in 30 locations will advocate for the Salish Sea—through music, prayer, protest, petition, beach cleanups, teach-ins, oh my! Come celebrate the sea—and take action for her. She needs your love, now, most of all. Bring your heart and bring your friends.
One of the thirty actions is focused on the cruise ship industry’s use of heavy fuel oil, the rapid disappearance of Arctic sea-ice and the fragile health of the Salish Sea:
Salish Sea Day of Action targeting cruise ships
Saturday, September 15, 3:00–5:00pm
Smith Cove Park, 23rd Ave W, Seattle (west of Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91)
Join us for a family-friendly climate justice event highlighting how human-caused climate change is impacting the health of the world’s oceans, especially the Arctic. This vigil will feature a floating art installation of a polar bear perched on a melting iceberg. Parts of the vigil will be streamed live online here.
Art Build! Volunteers needed to help prep and paint for this event. Monday thru Thursday, this week, contact Matthew for details!
YES ON 1631
After five years of work, this is it. The next fifty days will decide whether or not Washington becomes the first state in the country to put a price on carbon pollution. It’s going to be an incredibly close fight. The oil industry has already spent over $12 million opposing I-1631. The only way we can counter that is by running a massive people-powered, volunteer-driven campaign.
Please sign up here to get involved and do your part to pass I-1631.
Between now and November 6th, we’re going to knock on over 300,000 doors, make over 400,000 phone calls and send over 500,000 emails to ensure that Washington says Yes on 1631. To do that we need literally thousands of people to step-up and volunteer.
Whether you only have ten minutes, or you’re able to throw it all down and volunteer full-time for a month, we need YOU to volunteer for Yes on 1631.
SAVE THE DATE! HOUSING FORUM, OCTOBER 27
At Home in the World: Building a Livable Seattle in the Era of Climate Change will take place at First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave., at 1pm on Saturday, October 27. With Council Member Teresa Mosqueda and panelists from Got Green, Transit Riders Union, Sightline, King County Labor Council, and more.
If we care about Seattle being a progressive, sustainable city, we need more housing, and more affordable housing—citywide, so our most vulnerable communities aren’t the only ones asked to support newcomers. How can we plan for density that’s equitable, and that makes our neighborhoods more vibrant, greener, and better able to support small business and frequent transit?
The future is coming. Who do we want to be?
TACOMA LNG
We’re counting down until the public hearing that takes an in-depth look at lifecycle air emissions for the enormous fracked gas tank in the Port of Tacoma. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency oversees the last major permit needed for the project, so big public engagement is critical. Please add your comment here… and plan for the hearing on October 30th!
Meanwhile, help us get the word out:
LNG in Tacoma: Risks and Impacts
Saturday Sept 29, 1:00–2:30pm, Swasey Branch Tacoma Public Library, 7001 Sixth Ave, Tacoma
Saturday October 20, 2:00–3:30pm, Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th Street, Shoreline
Want a presentation for your group or neighborhood? Contact Mary.
Save the Date!
Saturday, October 13th is a global day of action called Gas-down, Frack-down. In the Seattle and Tacoma areas we’ll be spreading awareness about Puget Sound Energy’s proposed LNG project and the risks and impacts of fracking for “natural” gas. If you can help plan or volunteer for these events, please contact Stacy.
PSE UPDATE
Thanks to everyone who turned out for Puget Sound Energy’s public comment event on their 20-year plan. We’re hearing the Social Cost of Carbon will be a topic of discussion at the next one, Tuesday, October 11, at a location to be announced.
And hey, PSE is still looking for a location for an executive listening session. Why not Tacoma?
STRONGER TOGETHER
Frontline Allies welcomes your participation in everything from organizing trainings on undoing racism to supporting our allies in climate-related justice work. To join contact Kara; more information and links are available here. We meet on the third Monday of every month. Please join us Monday, September 17 to hear more about our work and upcoming campaigns. If it’s your first meeting, new member orientation starts at 6:30pm; the meeting begins at 7:00pm. RSVP to Kara for the address of a home in the Wallingford neighborhood.
Upcoming solidarity events
Divest from private prisons
Join Frontline Allies as we deliver 66,000 petitions collected by #FamiliesBelongTogether to stop Wells Fargo and Chase and other #BackersOfHate from profiting from immigrant detention and the separation of families and instead immediately divest from and cease lending to private-prison companies like GEO Group and Core Civic, which hold sixty percent of Trump’s incarcerated immigrants. Wednesday, September 26, 10:00am. Details here.
Solidarity with Darigold workers
Nine years ago, 20 workers at Darigold tried to unionize and 12 were fired. Now, facing an upcoming trial, the Darigold Dozen are planning a Fast of Reconciliation. Please join Frontline Allies outside the Darigold HQ in Georgetown to stand with the workers fasting for reconciliation. We’re trying to get at least 10 people there in the 11:00am to 1:00pm slot, Thursday, September 20th. Can you join us? RSVP to Kara for more details.
Additional steps to take:
1) Sign the petition to demand compliance with the law and workers’ rights.
2) Call Darigold CEO Stan Ryan, 206-216-4283. Tell him you (and your organization) want Darigold to resolve its issues with the United Farm Workers.
Upcoming education event
In 2014, Shane Bauer was hired for $9 an hour to work as an entry-level prison guard at a private prison in Winnfield, Louisiana. His exposé won a National Magazine Award and became the most-read feature in the history of the magazine Mother Jones. Join Bauer for his blistering indictment of the private prison system and the powerful forces that drive it and learn the sobering truth about the true face of justice in America. Tuesday, September 25, 7:30pm
Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave, Seattle 98122.
Tickets and more details here.
FUNDING CLIMATE JUSTICE
Attending the Global Climate Action Summit? We’re co-hosting an event on funding climate justice for the global south in San Francisco on September 14th. The topic: Why the developing world is owed climate debt from the United States and why it’s so unjust that Trump broke America’s promised funding to the Green Climate Fund. Some exciting new initiatives to raise funds sub-nationally will also be announced, with discussion of why other sub-national actors should join Seattle’s call to contribute. Can’t attend but still keen to watch? Sign up for updates and a potential recording of the event.
VALVE-TURNERS UPDATE
Necessity defense in Minnesota
Emily Johnston and Annette Klapstein are taking the necessity defense to trial. Barring last-minute legal maneuvers, the Minnesota #ClimateTrial is on for October 8-11. Expert witnesses are coming from across the country to testify to the necessity of climate direct action. To hear about plans to support Emily and Annette, and receive daily emails during the trial, sign up here.
Film maker Steve Liptay—all charges dropped
Steve accompanied Emily and Annette and was arrested for journalism. Last week the prosecutor dropped his charges. For those few who haven’t seen Steve’s short valve turner film, here it is.
AMAZON
So we have a volunteer named Rebecca who’s worked in tech for 15 years…and she believes that tech workers have the power to change things within their industry. She wants to connect with other tech workers who care about climate justice to build more support for reducing emissions within tech companies. Can you help?
Because of its reliance on diesel delivery vehicles Amazon has a particularly big carbon footprint and public health impact. Rebecca’s looking to have conversations with people who work at Amazon about climate justice issues. If you work at Amazon, or if you would be willing to reach out to someone you know who does, please contact Rebecca to help her get connected.
CHASE
JPMorgan Chase is the largest funder of extreme fossil fuels on Wall Street. On October 16th, Chase will decide whether to renew a $1.48 billion loan to Enbridge, the company behind the huge Line 3 tar sands pipeline. With that in mind, we are looking for Chase customers who are willing to use their voice as customers to help make sure that loan doesn’t proceed. Are you a JPMorgan Chase customer? Please click here.
THE CAT GOES BACK TO SCHOOL
That’s right, the Civic Action Team is hitting the books, and you’re invited! Curl up with our Back to School Survey and tell us what climate legislation you’re most interested in, and how you’d like to help when our state legislators reconvene in Olympia next year.
ARTFUL ACTIVISM
We welcome all skill levels in any art form, and have lots going on to jump into, from occasional participation to leadership opportunities. Join online here or come to art builds whenever you can! They are fun, no skills needed, community gatherings with food and good connections.
Art Build!
We are looking for some lovely volunteers to help prep and paint a POLAR BEAR for the Salish Sea Day of Action/Carnival Cruise Ship campaign. Monday thru Thursday, THIS WEEK, please contact Matthew for details!
Looking for a mural wall
We are still looking for a high visibility wall that for a beautiful mural. Know of one? If you do, or would like to paint bus shelters with young people, contact Doug.
Join the Deployment Team!
Ever wish you had a role during actions and events? Come learn crucial skills with us! We need you! Contact Shemona.
And if you’re a skilled artist (visual, theater, dance, music…) and want to apply your skill or show others how, please let us know! Contact Lisa.
LET’S SOCIALIZE
Join us for our monthly happy hour to celebrate our recent days of action and hang out with new and old friends! $1 from every pour supports our climate action work.
Brewing Resistance is Back!
Thursday, September 20th, 7:00–9:00pm
Floating Bridge Brewing, 722 NE 45th St, Seattle 98105
Kids and dogs welcome! Food and non-alcoholic beverages both available.
SEPTEMBER BOOK CLUB
It is not too late to join our discussion of Global Warming and the Sweetness of Life: A Tar Sands Tale, a remarkable book in which the authors argue that “any definition of ecology has to start with decolonization and that confronting global warming requires a politics that speaks to a different way of being in the world….”
Global Warming and the Sweetness of Life: A Tar Sands Tale
Sunday, September 30, 1:00–2:30pm
RSVP for address
Read the book to find out more, even if you can’t make it to the book club meeting, although we would love for you to join us. Global Warming and the Sweetness of Life: A Tar Sands Tale is available at Elliott Bay Books, the Seattle Public Library, and the usual suspects.
TRANSPORTATION TEAM UPDATE
Key Arena
The final EIS came out on August 30th with this single building causing a >0.4% increase in city greenhouse gas emissions, but it finds this increase to be legally insignificant! The increase comes mainly from the personal vehicle and ride-hailing trips moving >50% of visitors to and from the arena, but also the fracked gas used to cool a giant hockey icebox. Planned mitigations are inadequate, as would be anything less than an actual green building with a plan to, over time, get everyone to and from the building on bikes, buses and feet.
The city council vote on the proposal, Friday September 14, looks like a done deal, but we’re working with other transportation-focused groups to get a bit more good stuff included—possibly including transit passes with ticket sales. If you want to work on this or just be informed, contact Andrew to get on the Transpo mailing list.
City Connector
The Center City Connector would link our two streetcar segments through downtown, turning these marginally useful streetcars lines into a fairly powerful transit service. Jenny Durkan may use a recent study that found that construction costs will be higher than anticipated to kill the project. But construction cost overruns, common in a booming economy, haven’t killed other street improvement projects. Why this one? Is Jenny Durkan not the transit fan that she has led us to believe? Tell the mayor to go ahead with the Center City Connector. Write: Jenny.Durkan@Seattle.gov
Parking under water
Worried about parking disappearing in Seattle? So are we. Literally—sea level rise will encroach upon Seattle neighborhoods in not so many decades, and we guarantee that will make it really hard to park! Come join the Transportation Team on PARKing Day for an interactive and visual exploration of sea level rise, and the contribution of transportation emissions to climate change.
PARKing Day
Friday, September 21
Find us on 2nd Ave in Pioneer Square, between Washington and Main
Want to help? We need you next weekend for a sewing session, and on the 21st to set up. Contact Mikala.
WE’RE HAVING A PARTY AND YOU’RE INVITED!
Ahhhh! Fall is a’comin and what a beautiful time to gear up for a party! Especially a party for 350 Seattleand all our wonderful supporters. There will be great company, dinner, auctioning and SO MUCH MORE! Get your tickets now!
Intertwined: A Celebration of 350 Seattle’s Roots & Resolve
Friday, November 16, doors open at 6:00pm
Centilia Cultural Center at El Centro de La Raza, 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle 98144
(Close to the Beacon Hill light rail station)
Tickets available here
We are also looking for more Auction items and Sponsorship’s. Help us out! Contact Shemona.
CAN YOU HELP SUSTAIN US?
And until the party, as you know everything we do is centered in and powered-by community. And that includes how we fund our work. Our first Monthly Sustainer Drive had a goal of 75 new monthly donors and we’ve blown past that in the first two weeks! So… we have a new goal: 100 more new Monthly Sustainers!
Can you make a climate commitment and become a monthly sustainer?
Every dollar helps us fight for a future free of climate chaos.
And thanks. For. Everything. You. Do.
350 Seattle
