 The dizzying chaos of misinformation and threats coming from our nation’s capital has begun. We’re in a dangerous place. Not only must we confront and find solutions to the climate crisis, but we also must resist and disrupt the toxic, racist, totalitarian, fascist, misogynist, patriarchal bullies now running our federal government. Let’s come together. Stay focused, re-evaluate and retool to meet this moment with courage and solidarity. What does this mean for you? It certainly means taking care of you and yours… AND it also might mean stepping up and joining in more climate action. We are rapidly surpassing many of the planetary thresholds, including 1.5 degrees Celsius, with their concomitant feedback loops and tipping points, creating catastrophic weather events and destabilizing the planet’s natural systems on which we all depend. Despite massive advances in renewable energy, fossil fuel use continues to increase, all while the oligarchs super-charge their exploitation of our one and only cherished planetary home. We know it’s going to get worse. We’re focusing our actions where we think we can make the most difference:
This is where we’re going in 2025. We are glad you care. We are glad you are awake. If you’re reading this, you know the only way through this is TOGETHER. Because when we fight together, we win. Thank you for supporting 350 Eugene in 2024. Your generosity continues to amaze us. There is much to do. Let us begin. Take Action TUNE-IN, TURN-OUT, SPEAK YOUR TRUTH - LET’S BUILD POWER LOCAL POLICY Monday, January 27th at 7:30 pm - Eugene City Council at City Hall or via webcast We always start the new year showing the Mayor and City Council that Eugenians expect bold action on climate. Support local progress!
Street Messaging Thursday, January 30th - 2 to 3:30 pm - Street Messaging for a Clean, Electric Eugene! Meet at 15th and Chambers. Dress for the weather. Everything is provided. Engage the community with positive energy. All are welcome. Meet new friends.  STATE POLICY The long session of the Oregon Legislature began on January 25th and will run through June. This year there are a number of climate-related bills. We’re focused right now on these two and you can help.  Lobby Day for The Pause Act (SB 681) Tuesday, February 4th in Salem 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Last year, our legislature passed the COAL Act. Grassroots organizing made that happen. Phenomenal! This year the amazing Divest Oregon coalition has been working on The Pause Act (SB 681), a bill that will be the first of its kind in the country. It will mandate a 5-year moratorium on new Oregon Treasury private investments – generally known as private equity (not public / not transparent / much more risky) – that we expect will be invested at 10% or more in the fossil fuel industry. However, the Treasury’s own NET Zero Plan outlines that we must stop new private investments in fossil fuels. The Pause Act would require it. If you’re planning to come, please fill out this RSVP form. Organizers need to know you're coming so we can assign all of us to a lobby day leader and provide enough complementary lunch for everyone. Invite your friends! Carpool from Eugene: email Patty at [email protected] if you want to catch a ride or can offer a vehicle. If you are driving yourself, meet at 8:30 am at Salem First Congregational Church, 700 Mission St NE, Salem. Brief Background Private investments are problematic for the following reasons:
 Check out this cool video to see why they are so problematic and why we need the Pause Act… You can find more details on the Pause Act web page and you can also follow Divest Oregon on Instagram or Facebook. Sign up for Lobby Day and email Patty for a ride at at [email protected] today! Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (OCERA)  OCERA held its second successful lobby day in December when over 50 Oregonians spoke with legislators about LC 2562, the “Right to a Clean, Safe and Healthy Environment” amendment to the Oregon Constitution. The goal is to have the bill referred to the 2026 ballot. The momentum is building as we add more Co-Chief Sponsors and Co-sponsors for the bill. But MORE are needed, so our advocacy continues. Current OCERA Co-chief sponsors: Senators Golden, Manning, Prozanski, Representatives Gamba, Andersen, Tran Current OCERA Co-sponsors: Senators Campos, Frederick, Jama, Meek, Pham, Reynolds, Taylor and Representatives Chaichi, Fragala, Hartman, Helm, Hudson, Marsh, Nelson, Nosse This amendment will put the right to a Healthy Environment into our state constitution and protect Oregonians from the threat of diminished federal protections on the horizon. We need this now more than ever. Oregon has joined a growing number of states trying to pass such bills. The OCERA bill (LC 2562) will get a bill number in the coming weeks and there will be opportunities to come to Salem and to send written testimonies of support. This could be our best chance to protect Oregonians clean water, clean air, our rivers, forests and beautiful natural areas. Stay tuned for lobby day information coming up. You can learn more at the OCERA website and contact the OCERA Team at [email protected]. Listen to Coast Range Radio’s podcast interview with Linda Perrine, an organizer with OCERA, (and former 350EUG leader) to get a clear picture of what’s at stake. More State Climate Bill Priorities The Building Resilience Coalition’s priorities are focused on expanding and protecting these important climate bills that passed in 2023:
Priorities in 2025: One-Stop-Shop - HB 3081- expands program to provide a single resource for accessing energy efficient / electrification incentives and Get the Junk Out - SB 88 - limits non-energy costs passed on to ratepayers You can check out our other state climate policy allies' priorities at Oregon Just Transition Alliance and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. It is a VERY important year for climate action on a state level. Please watch our newsletter for more info coming throughout the session! FOREST DEFENSE  Urgent Action Needed Today! It’s a ruse! In the first week of the new federal administration, the “Fix Our Forests” Act is skipping committees and environmental review and heading to the US House of Representatives for a vote. It might be there now. Despite its name, this bill is bad news for our forests. It will open the floodgates for unwarranted logging and roll back protections for endangered species. It’s urgent we contact our U.S. House representatives immediately and urge them not to support this tree-killing bill. It will take less than a minute, and your voice could make all the difference for our forests. Call or email your representative directly using this link to find your Representative's contact info or use Environment American’s easy form to send an email now. Short background / talking points:
Time is of the essence. Can you please contact your U.S. House representative TODAY? Quick form here. Thank you. The Pacific Northwest Forest Plan - it’s in the cross-hairs The US Forest Service is in the midst of a 120-day comment period as part of its efforts to update the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan. Developed to curb the impacts of destructive logging on imperiled species like the northern spotted owl, the plan is meant to guide agency stewardship of 17 national forests stretching from western Washington and Oregon down to northwestern California. Our backyard. But, among other things, some of which are good, their recommendations include more mature and old growth logging. Wait. What? What’s good: efforts to increase Tribal Inclusion and incorporate Indigenous Knowledge in forest management — a long overdue commitment. What’s bad: significantly increased logging targets and heightened fire risk in mature and old-growth forest watersheds. 350 Eugene’s Forest Team is joining with our forest conservation allies and gathering information to engage our climate community and support pushback on the agency’s blatant attempts to increase road-building and logging in our irreplaceable forests in the NWFP Amendment. US Forest Service Public Meeting, Wednesday, February 12th at 5:30 pm - Join us! The public is invited to attend the agency’s local information session on the Willamette National Forest plan at the Willamette National Forest Supervisor’s Office located at 3106 Pierce Parkway in Springfield. These meetings in the various national forests across our state are billed as public meetings to learn more and discuss the proposed NWFP amendment. They include an introduction to the Plan, an overview of the proposed amendment, key details about the proposed action and alternatives outlined in the Draft Environmental Statement, and information on how to engage during the 120-day public comment period, followed by Q&A. Email Deb at [email protected] if you think you’ll be coming so we can organize ourselves. *Note: participation at these meetings does NOT count as official comments on the draft NWFP amendment. We want to show up to let the agency know that people care about our forests and don't want to see more logging, and that we care about tribal inclusion and environmental justice. AND…  We’ll be hitting the streets in February with positive forest messages to engage & educate our community on how to protect our best natural climate solution - our forests. Watch for Street Messaging on February’s calendar for details. Stay tuned. To get the basics on the Northwest Forest Plan and where it stands today, take a look at Oregon Wild’s Webcast: How to Save the Northwest Forest Plan, which explains the history of the plan, provides an analysis of the Forest Service’s proposal and how the public can get involved. Quest by Cycle Calls for Artists to Design Game Badges! Deadline is February 28th! - Tell your friends!  Resilience and Regeneration- Resources for this moment What if the climate crisis is an invitation to deepen our spiritual selves? By Charlie Wood. WAGING NONVIOLENCE: People-Powered News and Analysis. January 16, 2025 A New Resource For These Unthinkable Times - Check it out! https://www.unthinkable.earth/  What does more climate action mean to you? Here’s another idea… The Chamber of Commerce is working hard to pack the city’s various public (volunteer) committees and commissions. The progressive community needs to do the same! Are you, or do you know someone, who has the interest and time to devote to these important volunteer opportunities?
Applications accepted from January 1 to January 31, 2025. For more details, visit the City of Eugene’s announcement here.  On January 20, 2025, a lot of us were tuned into Rebecca Solnit’s uplifting webinar with Bill McKibben and others, The Way We Get Through This is Together: Celebrating Community. It’s worth a watch. We stand together.
The oligarchs are afraid. Let’s celebrate community, stay informed and be even more strategic. Resist the urge to shut down. Take heart from our BIPOC relatives who for generations have struggled against oppression. That is what resilience looks like. Looking with clear eyes at this moment, let’s each pick up our stone and move this mountain.
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