Welcome to our April 2023 Newsletter! On behalf of all of us at 350CO – Happy April!
In this issue, find exciting upcoming events for Earth month, hear about some of the recent climate action events our community was a part of, and get up to date with the current legislative session. April can be a demanding month for activists, organizers, and people who care about the environment, so don’t forget to check in with yourself this month and prioritize your own wellness. If you can, check in with another member of your community, too. Burnout is real, and we must take care of ourselves and each other on this journey for a fossil-free and just future. If this idea resonates with you, see the resources & links section below and consider filling out the Climate Wellness & Resiliency Workshop Interest Form!
From all of us on the 350CO Team, we wish you a wonderful Earth month!
Quote of the Month
“The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.”
– Mark Caine
Action of The Month: Sign this support letter for a gradual phaseout of new oil and gas permits in Colorado by 2030.
No New Fracking 2030 Action Party Event Summary
350 Colorado and allies GreenLatinos, Safe and Healthy Colorado, Colorado Jewish Climate Action, and Alliance Center/Regenerative Recovery Coalition hosted an action party to spread the word about the need to phase out new oil & gas permits in Colorado. One of the main points of having this party was to work together and take action to spread the word about the necessity of phasing out new oil & gas permits in Colorado. Starting with this event, we aim to make a tangible shift in changing the narrative (shaped by fossil fuel propaganda) that Colorado’s economy and workforce rely on the oil & gas industry.
Photo Credit: Christian O’Rourke
Denver Rally at Chase Bank 3-31-23
A multi-generational coalition of environmental and labor groups and retired union activists rallied at Chase Bank on 16th Street in Denver as part of a national day of action across the U.S. to pressure the major banks to stop financing the expansion of the fossil fuel industry. The rally was among the more than 100 events in half the U.S. states that took place across the country, with thousands of people taking action nationally. Over 100 people were in attendance, including an amazing brass band that played some tunes while we came together to bring attention to this issue.
This community event Participants heard from local organizers with Cultivando about their air monitoring results and the impacts on public health and from the Suncor oil refinery. Community members were involved in the discussion, sharing their personal stories of how the Suncor refinery has affected their lives and the future they want for their community beyond Suncor.
Image via TruckPR on Flickr
Colorado Must Adopt Clean Truck Rules to Tackle Climate Pollution
Adopting strong Advanced Clean Trucks and NOx Omnibus rules is essential for meeting our environmental justice and climate goals. This article is the first part of a 4-part series examining the myriad benefits and feasibility of Colorado adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Omnibus rules in 2023. It’s time for Colorado to step up and adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Omnibus rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. Truck pollution threatens public health and our environment.
We are now more than halfway through this year’s legislative session at the Colorado Capital. With that in mind, here is a brief round-up on some of the things 350 Colorado has been up to! Get a list of priority bills and read about anti-environmental bills that have been defeated in this session. Want to hear about upcoming opportunities for public comments or join in the conversation? 350 Colorado’s legislative action committee meets Mondays on Zoom every other week from 5-6 pm. Special thanks to Trevor Slansky for putting together this legislative session update together!
A huge thanks to our April Climate Hero of the Month – Emma Weber!
This month we are excited to celebrate Emma Weber! Emma is fifteen years old and started climate activism two years ago. She began by organizing strikes every Friday with her sister. By the end of the year, she had a small circle of support but little idea where to go from there. The next fall, she joined her high school’s environmental club, where she participated in various projects and events. Now she is part of their leadership team and spends most of her free time organizing different events for youth.
Meet Emma!
Resources & Links
Here are some links to free, helpful climate action resources we found this month. Use them, bookmark them, share them, and let us know if you have links that should be included in a future issue.
▶ Action Playbook Library by Climate Changemakers. These step-by-step guides equip you to advocate effectively for science-backed climate solutions. Work alone or join Zoom calls with other volunteers who are working on letters to the editor, contacting representatives and city officials, submitting public comments, influencing the influencers, and more.
▶ 88 Indigenous-Owned Businesses You Can Support in the US and Canada. A curated list of Indigenous creators and business owners. Your money will go directly to Indigenous creators and entrepreneurs, their families, and often their wider communities to help promote economic reconciliation. What’s more, purchasing from Native brands enables creators to dedicate time to their craft, which helps to keep their culture, traditions, and values alive.
▶ Clearing the Air: The Real Costs and Benefits of Oil and Gas in Colorado by Colorado Fiscal Institute. This report reveals that Colorado is not as economically dependent on the oil & gas industry as many of us have been led to believe. “The oil and gas extraction industry, along with the pipeline construction and transportation industries and support industries for oil and gas, make up just 1.8% of total wages in the state, 3.4% of total personal income, 3.3% of GDP and less than 1% (0.7%) of total employment.” This is a great resource for anyone looking to share how important and realistic it is for Colorado to transition away from oil & gas.
▶ Climate Wellness & Resiliency Workshop Interest Form. 350 Colorado believes in the importance of building both individual and movement-wide climate wellness & resiliency. Burnout is really even when we deeply care for something. We are looking to hold a workshop (or more!) that helps activists and prevents burnout. The movement needs each and every one of you!
Upcoming Events & Actions
- Wed. April 12th, 12pm-1pm – Rally for Ratepayer Relief (Denver) – RSVP here
- Mon. April 17th, 6pm-9pm – Clean Energy Financing in the US: Drop-in Hour of Action (Zoom/Remote) – Register here
- Wed. April 19th, 4pm-6pm – Earth Day Happy Hour by The Alliance Center (Denver) – Get details and RSVP
- Thurs. April 20th, 5:30-7pm – 350CO New Volunteer Orientation! (Zoom/Remote) – Sign up here
- Fri. April 21st, 6pm – 350 NoCO Earth Day Art Build & Mingle (Fort Collins) – Get details and RSVP
- Sat. April 22nd, 11am-4pm – Earth Day: Indigenous Music & Arts Festival (Pueblo) – See more details
- Sat. April 22nd, 10am-12pm – Earth Day Community Cleanup + Party (Denver) – Reserve a spot
- Sat. April 22nd, 12pm-3pm – Earth Day in Boulder Bash (Boulder) – RSVP here
- Sat. April 22nd, 11am-7pm – Lakewood’s Earth Day Celebration (Lakewood) – Get more details or sign up to volunteer here
- Sat. April 22nd, 9:30am-12pm – Earth Day Appreciation Hike (Golden) – Sign up here
- Sat. April 22nd, 9am-3pm – Castle Rock Earth Day Volunteer Project and Festival (Castle Rock) – See more details
- Thurs. April 27th, 12pm-2:30pm – 350 NoCo HEY CSU, STOP FUNDING CLIMATE DISASTER! DivestCSU Rally & March (Fort Collins) – Get details and RSVP
- Sat. April 29th, 10am-2pm – Lafayette Earth Day, Every Day Celebration! (Lafayette) – Get details here
- Sun. April 30th, 2:30-4pm – Sierra Club Colorado Earth Day Celebration (Breckenridge) – Get details and add to calendar
Please view our full calendar to join local team meetings, committee conference calls & more!
Did you know? You can support 350CO when buying a home!
If you or someone you know is looking to buy a new home, please support 350CO through Climate Change Realty – a real estate brokerage that donates 50% of its net commissions to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations dedicated to fighting climate change. Contact ethan@ccrboulder.com if you are interested in moving or visit www.ccrboulder.com today and look for 350CO on the list of partnering non-profits!