 Let’s be blunt. To make progress on climate we have to restore democracy. Especially in light of recent events, 350 Eugene’s focus in 2026 will include working with our allies to stop the fascist takeover of our government. Americans are waking up. Groups (including us) are mobilizing here in Eugene-Springfield. We can and must win for American democracy and for the planet, and we must act NOW. Thanks in advance for all you WILL do in 2026. And huge thanks for your generous donations during our end-of-year fundraising appeal. We reached our goal of $10,000 and then some! You are awesome! Working Inside and Outside Institutions There’s definitely vital work to do inside our institutions, and we ask you to read on and take several actions suggested below, zeroing in where we think we can make the most difference. But let’s start with what we need right now: CIVIL RESISTANCE.  Civil ResistanceIt’s the root of our power. Active, not passive. Non-violent. Here’s why: Trump’s fascist regime stands only because he controls crucial pillars of support, e.g., national media, the ruling elite / billionaire class, captains of industry / greedy corporations, and many institutions of higher education. We can influence them! Really! And we must… By calling out their complicity, their duplicitous excuses, false solutions, contrived lies and dishonest schemes in every way possible. We can remove the pillars of support of his regime with personal AND collective action, for example by boycotting Amazon & Google, removing your money from corporate banks, challenging your elected officials who don’t take a proactive stand against fascism, calling out your alma mater, fraternal organization and / or religious organization for staying silent. Civil Resistance Works When our Institutions No Longer Protect Us Support or participate in strikes, slow-downs, walk-outs and boycotts. Give your hard-earned cash only to banks and businesses that reflect your values, with owners and workers you know and trust. What Can We Do in Eugene Right Now? 1) Come to the Federal / ICE Building! ICE is our target in Eugene to remove the Trump enforcer pillar. They are his Gestapo. We can and ARE reducing local deportations because protestors are showing up to support our immigrant neighbors. This directly stops harms and is quintessential civil resistance. Find a time and group that works for you and stand in solidarity every week! Join one of these groups!  Note: On Fridays, join Raging Grannies holding space from 12-2:00 pm. 2) Canvas Vulnerable Neighborhoods: Go door to door and talk to neighbors. It’s still legal! Create and bring “whistle packets” with a zine and small whistles to blow when ICE is present to alert the community. It’s incredibly effective for bonding with our vulnerable communities and keeping people safe. Learn all about making these kits here. Take a buddy. Click here to sign up and learn more from Lane Immigrant Defense Network about canvassing and get plugged in. 3) To do direct support of immigrants, use this interest form to sign up and learn more. 4)Definitely, turn out on Monday, January 19th from 9 to 1:00 pm:  And save these dates for “A Day Without Immigrants” protests, that will combine the NO KINGS theme:
 The new website Eugene Together Strong is a great resource for plugging in to fighting fascism here in our community. Lots of great resources! Inside Our Institutions Work That Still Needs to Get DoneGet Out the Vote We need massive participation in the 2026 midterm elections. If you want to help turn out the vote with postcarding, please email Deb at [email protected] and she’ll get back to you with details. Thank you! State Climate Policy - Oregon’s short legislative session (2/2-3/9) We’re focusing on three important climate bills: The Climate Resilience Superfund Bill (formerly Make the Polluters Pay) Balcony Solar Pay as You Save (PAYS) The Climate Resilience Superfund Bill: The aim of this legislation is to require very large fossil fuel companies to pay their fair share of the costs to both prepare for and recover from climate disasters. Funds raised by this bill will establish a Climate Superfund that will cover the cost of climate-related disasters like wildfires, floods, and heat domes. Balcony Solar: A bill is expected to be introduced that would make “balcony solar” (solar panels that can be plugged directly into a standard home outlet) legal and accessible. This bill would contribute to Oregon’s renewable energy goals by reducing the use of fossil fuels. At the same time, it would give more households an affordable stake in clean energy. Pay as You Save (PAYS): This bill is designed to make energy efficiency upgrades affordable by allowing utility customers to finance improvements—like heat pumps, insulation, or efficient water heaters—through their utility bills, with no upfront costs. Utilities would cover the initial cost of upgrades, and customers would pay that cost back through a line item on their utility bill. Just as balcony solar democratizes access to clean solar energy, Pay as You Save democratizes access to energy efficiency SIGN-UP - CITIZEN ACTION NEEDED! Strong citizen support will be especially important in this budget-constrained session. 350 Eugene will send out Action Alerts when climate legislation is going to be heard and voted on. The alerts will include talking points for use when contacting your elected representatives. We will also provide information on opportunities to join in lobby days in Salem. If you wish to receive these alerts, send an email to [email protected] saying “Sign me up for Action Alerts.” Eugene can lower our carbon footprint with a Home Energy Score Policy Many homes in our region suffer from poor insulation, outdated appliances, and inefficient heating systems - factors that increase energy costs, degrade indoor air quality, and emit climate pollution. A Home Energy Score offers simple and customized info about a home’s energy performance, helping residents identify ways to lower costs and make home more efficient. Eugene is exploring a policy that would require disclosure of a Home Energy Score when a home is listed for sale, similar to policies in many other cities, including Bend, Hillsboro, Portland and Milwaukie. This would help increase transparency in the real estate market and encourage energy-saving upgrades. Action: Please fill out the City of Eugene Home Energy Score Survey (closes January 15th). There’s a City Council Worksession in February and we’d like to see TONS of positive comments to pass this policy! Thank you!  Forest Defense Urge Oregon Department of Forestry to Stop Clearcutting Mature State Forests The plan will guide management of about 640,000 acres of ODF-managed public lands west of the Cascades over the next 70 years. Comment on their Forest Management Plan for Western Oregon with this Action Alert from Cascadia Wildlands, due January 31st. Attend the in-person ODF hearing in Eugene and share your thoughts directly. January 22nd at 5:30 at the Lane Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave., Eugene. Testimony will be limited to 2-3 minutes. Fill out this form to say you’ll be there. Stay tuned for more details.  Impacts: 350 Eugene has been part of the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance (PNWFCA) since its founding five years ago, bringing together new allies and building power with forest and climate activists in Washington and Oregon to protect federal and state forests. 350 Eugene supports PNWFCA financially and at events with our local alliance comrades Cascadia Wildlands, Oregon Wild and Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology (FUSEE). A lot of good amazing work has been accomplished and it’s here in this brief PNWFCA Impact Report. You’ll be impressed! Divest Oregon There’s no “divest from fossil fuels” bill this session. But the whip-smart team at Divest Oregon continues to work behind the scenes and calls out the Oregon Treasury and Oregon Investment Council with laser-focused critiques. A Divest Oregon analysis of Oregon Treasury private equity investment practices finds that years of exceeding the Oregon Investment Council’s (OIC) policy limiting high-risk private equity significantly reduced the performance of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund (OPERF). These effects total about $3.7 billion in reduced value since 2023. The blog follows up from the August Willamette Week article about underperformance in 2024. Read the entire blog. Save the Dates and Share with Friends! Register here today!  Saturday, February 21st - 10 - 1:00 pm - Cultivating Resilience Through Times of Change Mandala Workshop 2.0. Details to follow. Always remember… People Power is More Powerful Than the People in Power! 
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