7 million marched worldwide for climate. Will it make a difference? With your help, it will.
KEEP CLEAN TRANSPORTATION ALIVE
We have just one month to defeat a ballot initiative that would devastate our efforts toward climate justice in Washington.
I-976 would gut funding for transit throughout Washington. Small town bus service in many areas could close, and in areas like Seattle, thousands of service hours would be cut. Basic maintenance of bridges is threatened. And it’s all being sold under a banner of cutting costs for individuals by just a little.
Help make sure that we don’t lose our ability to have clean, accessible transit for everyone in Washington. Here’s how:
- Educate your friends and family. Forward them this email and tell them to vote NO on I-976.
- Keep up with the campaign and share updates on social media.
- Sign up to canvass or phone bank.
Questions? Want to really dig in and help lead a canvass? Reach out to Meg.
TRANSPORTATION = 62% OF SEATTLE GHG
Want to do something about the largest source of greenhouse gases in our city and the state? The next Transportation Team meeting will be on Zoom:
Stop I-976, support transit in the city budget, and more!
Monday, October 14, 5:00pm
This month we’ll focus on opportunities to stop I-976; ways to engage with transportation issues on the city budget; and how to support our own 350 Seattle members in choosing options other than driving to attend our events and get around town. We’ll also debrief our recent #ClaimTheLaneForClimate actions. Email Andrew for additional call-in options or to join the Transportation team email list.
THANK YOU FOR STRIKING
In September 7.6 million people around the world responded to the global call from youth to strike for climate. Here in Seattle, 10,000 marched. These strikes were organized by a powerful intergenerational, multiracial, multi-issue, worker-organizing coalition—and we know that’s the only way we can win the fight against the fossil fuel industry. To change everything, it’s going to take everyone.
From the pressure of 1,800 Amazon employees pledging to walk out on September 20, CEO Jeff Bezos announced the Climate Pledge the day before the Global Climate Strike; the Climate Pledge is a commitment to get Amazon’s carbon footprint to net zero by 2040. Of course, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice and allies are demanding that the company get to true zero by 2030, not rely on offsets, and stop selling AI to oil and gas companies… so thousands of Amazon employees still walked off the job. This announcement is a huge win—there’s no way it would’ve happened without organized worker power!
Throughout the week, other actions unfolded: The Protectors of the Salish Sea started their walk (more below); Artful Activism informed and enlightened with three separate interactive events including Envision at the Luminata walk; the Toxic Assets Affinity Group raised awareness about Carnival Cruise Line’s pollution; our Transportation Team held two #ClaimTheLaneForClimate actions, holding a morning rush-hour ride down 4th Avenue, and, in the evening, holding space for buses; and on Friday, a crew of us attended Netse Mot: One Mind for Xw’ullemy (The Salish Sea), an action on the land and sea.
And last but not least, we shut down every downtown branch of JPMorgan Chase, the world’s largest funder of fossil fuels as we shone a light on Chase’s salient role in the climate crisis. In the months ahead, we’ll be supporting the eleven people who were arrested. Pitch in here if you can help.
Will all this make a difference? With your help, it will.
CALLING FOR A CLIMATE EMERGENCY
The Protectors of the Salish Sea have been occupying the traditional indigenous gathering place of Sta,chas, now known as the Washington State Capitol, since Tuesday, September 24, after walking 46 miles from the Tacoma LNG construction site. The walk started on Friday, September 20, as part of the Global Climate Strike. As Governor Inslee was talking to climate activists in New York, more than 70 state riot police forcibly removed peaceful and prayerful indigenous climate protectors and their allies.
Despite this, the Protectors of the Salish Sea have vowed to remain in occupation indefinitely until a Climate Emergency is declared in the Washington State and all fossil fuel expansion projects are halted. Questions or offers of support can be directed here and monetary donations can be made here.
Saturday October 5th, people from all over Washington filled the capitol steps to add their voice in urging Gov Inslee to take action on the Protectors’ demands. Please keep calling our Green Governor at (360) 902-4111 and reaching out on social media.
PULL TOGETHER
Nothing focuses the mind like a good deadline, and we’ve got one from the Canadian Federal Court of Appeal: we have less than 10 weeks to fundraise for Indigenous Nations facing down the Trans Mountain pipeline and tankers project. Court hearings start the week of December 16th.
With your help we’re going to stand with Coldwater, Tsleil Waututh, Secwepemc and Squamish Nations in court to get this tar sands pipeline off of Indigenous lands and waters. Click here to help support their legal effort. Want to host a house party or get involved in some other way? Contact Hogan.
KALAMA METHANOL
The Department of Ecology makes their decision on October 11 on the shoreline permit for the world’s largest methanol refinery and one of Washington’s biggest contributors to the climate crisis! So here’s your last chance to tell the Department of Ecology to do the right thing—personalize this email!
Here’s a few key facts to remind them about the flawed environmental analysis that was used for the project:
- Current science puts the impact of methane emissions at 20% higher than the older science used in the study;
- Methane should be evaluated using its 20-year intensity, not averaged over 100 years as the study did;
- The magical 0.5% leak rate used in the study was way off; the EPA uses 1.4% and independent studies suggest it’s even higher, due to fracking.
TACOMA LNG
While the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) prepares to approve the final permit for the Tacoma LNG fracked gas project using outdated science, controversial data, and an apparent disregard for the legal rights of the Puyallup Tribe—we must not sit idle!
Please send a letter to the elected PSCAA board members reminding them that we can’t build a clean energy future by investing in dirty energy.
You can also reach out to the PSCAA board members that represent you here:
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan: Facebook, Twitter, email
King County Executive Dow Constantine: Facebook, Twitter, email
Tacoma City Council Member Ryan Mellow: Facebook, Twitter, email
Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier: Facebook, Twitter, email
City of Everett Council Member and PSCAA Board Chair Paul Roberts: email
Snohomish County Council Member Sam Low: Facebook, email
Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler: Facebook, email
Kitsap County Commissioner Edward Wolfe: email
Your representative on the PSCAA board needs to hear from you! Share this video to help spread the call! (And if anyone else finds it strange that there’s no contact info available for Public at Large representative Stella Chao, drop the agency a line here.)
Support Tacoma LNG legal challenges!
Our local permitting agencies have failed to protect the public’s health and safety, put corporations above future generations, and completely disregarded the sovereignty and rights of the Puyallup Tribe. We’re not giving up though—too much is at stake—and we have more people standing with us than ever. Together we WILL keep the proposed Tacoma LNG from ever becoming operational! Please give what you can! Want to help by planning a fundraiser? Email Stacy.
Are you in the LNG evacuation zone?
Recently discovered documents reveal that 12.6 miles in every direction from the refinery/storage tank could be affected in the event of a disaster! That distance includes multiple airports, countless schools, parts of JBLM, all of Vashon Island, parts of Burien, Seatac, and a large section of the I-5 freeway. The city of Tacoma has had the information for 3 years, yet we’re only finding out now thru a public disclosure request and none of this safety data was included in the Environmental Impact Statement. Join the Puyallup Tribe, environmental organizations, and concerned community members in demanding a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement that accurately considers the health and safety risks of this proposed project to the public. The number to call: (253) 591-5818, office of Tacoma City Manager Elizabeth Paulie.
Free screening of Ancestral Waters
Learn more about this fight from an Indigenous perspective: join us for a free screening of Native Daily Network’s documentary.
Ancestral Waters
Thursday, October 24, 6:30pm
Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St, Tacoma 98402
This film chronicles the Puyallup Tribe and Water Warriors’ movement to resist the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility currently being built without proper permits on the Tribe’s ancestral tideflats in violation of the Medicine Creek Treaty.
Contact Stacy to set up a screening in your neighborhood!
NEW P.U.D. IN THE HOUSE
And speaking of bait-and-switching, politician buying, greenwashing, for profit utilities who build unwanted climate killing fracked gas facilities… If you live in east King County, or can help gather signatures there, you have a chance to help make Public Utility District history!
East King County PUD Initiative Planning Meeting
Monday, October 7, 7:00–9:00pm
Northshore United Church of Christ, 18900 168th Ave NE, Woodinville 98072
Come help get the East King County PUD Initiative on the ballot next November. All are welcome!
SCAP? WHAT’S THAT?
Have you ever asked yourself:
- When will King County follow Seattle’s lead on the Green New Deal, particularly banning fossil fuels like fracked gas in new construction?
- How will the County decrease the number of miles driven by private cars?
- How can the County reduce air travel?
- When will the County start to measure the carbon embodied in building materials?
- How can we build accountability into our climate action plans so we don’t continue to fall short of our goals?
If you have, or would like to, bring your questions and ideas to these public workshops on King County’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan!
King County climate workshops
Saturday, October 12, 10:00am–12:00pm, University of Washington, RSVP here for North King County
Wednesday, October 16, 6:00–8:00pm, Highline College, RSVP here for South King County
These workshops are a once-in-five-years opportunity to help the most climate-conscious county in the state do more, better, to reduce our collective emissions footprint. And a lot more is needed.
ARDAGH’S BAD AIR
Glass packaging manufacturing is a notoriously harmful. The Ardagh operation has been one of the Northwest’s biggest polluters, spewing carcinogens into the air and water 24/7 since the 1930s, fighting clean up efforts all along the way.
County leaders have heard from interests with financial motives, but until now have declined to hear from members of the community who will be paying the price of this decision with their families’ health for years to come. This may be the community’s only opportunity be heard before the decision is made and finalized.
Environmental Impacts of Ardagh Glass
Tuesday, October 8, 6:30pm
South Seattle College Georgetown Campus, 6737 Corson Avenue South, Seattle 98108
Tony Wright, King County’s Director of Facilities Management, will hear concerns from the Georgetown community about the environmental impacts of Ardagh Glass’ toxic operations. More background information here.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Our new Equity and Inclusion workgroup is the next iteration of Frontline Allies, continuing to supercharge all our work, and deepening our equity work across the org with Lisa facilitating, and coaching from BJ at Wildfire. We have 7 co-leads on 4 teams: Solidarity, Equity Filter, Education, and Hiring, all of which have set ambitious but achievable goals for the year. We are looking for folks to engage as part of the Solidarity Team. If you are interested in getting involved in this important work, please RSVP to Kara who is developing the Solidarity Team.
SOLIDARITY
Here is a statement from Raynell Squil-le-he-le Morris and Ellie Tah-Mahs Kinley, the two Lummi tribal women intending to sue Miami Seaquarium, Palace Entertainment, and EQT, for the return of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut, the orca also known as Tokitae or Lolita:
“We will be together in prayer for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut next Thursday, October 10, at 9:30am. We are asking you all to join us from wherever you are. Please say her name, please pray in your own way, please carry her in in your heart. We want Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut to feel our love, we want to send her hope and strength. Please pray for Miami Seaquarium to do the right thing and work in a good way with us to bring her home in 2020. Hy’shqe.”
Miami Seaquarium has until October 25, 90 days from the date of the letter of intent, to respond. Here is a shareable event page. And you can donate to the Tokitae Fund here.
SING WITH US
Join The People’s Echo to infuse our movement with music and learn original songs written for this very moment! Learn to be a song leader and come release endorphins with us!
Check out our group page for more info and mark your calendar with our upcoming song teach-ins: October 24, November 20, December 18, January 23, February 27, March 10 and April 23. Questions? Contact Ahlay.
BRING YOUR TEARS
Overwhelmed by the immensity of what needs to be done to reverse the enormous ecological crisis and injustice of our times? Community practice can help!
Grief and Empowerment Support Group
Saturday, October 12 10:0am–1:00pm
Capitol Hill, Seattle–for the address, register here.
Using practices developed by Joanna Macy and drawing on longstanding wisdom traditions, this monthly group for adults 18+ will gather to deeply feel, process and move through grief to empowerment. Limited childcare will be available on a first-come, first serve basis; contact Megan.
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.
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. Lots of opportunities to learn by doing this month!
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.
Join our Photo/Imagery Library Team!
We’re organizing our photos and imagery data and are looking for folks who want to join a team to do photo sorting and labeling for our events and our imagery library. Also looking for an imagery co-librarian! Contact Lisa.
VOLUNTEER DROP-IN HOURS
Looking for an easy way to help out at 350 Seattle? Curious about other ways to get involved? Join us this month to meet others and help out with all the small things that keep 350 going! Tasks range from phone calls to data entry to arts and crafts.
Volunteer drop-in hours
October 16, 3:00–7:00pm
October 30, 3:00–6:00pm
350 Seattle, 1127 10th Ave East, Seattle 98102
Questions? Contact Shemona.
THANK-YOU-THURSDAY FUNDRAISER!
September was a busy month for the climate movement—both worldwide and locally! Let’s take a night to celebrate our hard work and raise some funds for future activism. $1 dollar from each pint, growler, or three-taster sets will be donated directly to 350 Seattle so that we can continue our work. We’ll also have activities with the chance to win a small prize, information about our upcoming events and ongoing campaigns, such as the Seattle Green New Deal.
350 Seattle Thank You Thursday at Reuben’s Brews Brewtap
Thursday, October 10, 3:00–9:00pm
Reuben’s Brews – The Brewtap, 800 NW 46th St., Seattle 98107
All ages welcome. Non-alcoholic beverages and hard cider also available. Please note, this event takes place at The Brewtap on 800 NW 46th St, not the Taproom on 14th Ave NW! Contact Allie with any questions.
COME PARTY WITH US AT INTERTWINED
Tickets for our fall fundraiser are on sale now! Come celebrate with us on Friday, November 15th at the Centilia Cultural Center. Buy your tickets now! Family friendly dinner, dessert, music, videos and more! Can’t make the early part of the evening? Come dance with us at the after party!
Want to help volunteer on the day of the event? We could really use your help with food prep, set up, auction logistics and more! Please Contact Shemona!
SAVE THE DATE
Remember the Battle of Seattle? Some of us do, and we’re joining with Washington Fair Trade Coalition and other community groups to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the World Trade Organization protests. Please join in!
20th anniversary of the WTO protests
Saturday, December 7
10:00am, Rally at Occidental Park
3:30pm, Workshops at Town Hall on the negative effects of trade agreements on climate and other topic areas
7:30pm, keynote by economist Joseph Stiglitz at Town Hall
To learn more, contact Hillary Haden of the Washington Fair Trade Coalition.
