One of the best places to make progress for our climate and our communities is at the local level. Already Mayors and city councils from Seattle, WA, to Columbia, SC, where I live are stepping up and taking action by calling for a switch to 100% clean energy, divesting from Exxon and other Big Oil baddies, or refusing to do business with the big banks that fund pipelines.
Next Wednesday, January 31st, the day after Trump’s first State of the Union, our friends at 350.org are throwing a party with partner organizations, movement leaders and community organizers in Washington D.C. They’ve got a plan for howe we can ALL win at the local level, and I think you should give it a listen. If you’re interested, click here to tune in & watch Fossil Free Fast: The Climate Resistance via livestream on January 31st in your town or city — join a watch party near you or sign up to host one.
The list of speakers includes Senator Bernie Sanders, Bill McKibben, Rev. Lennox Yearwood from Hip Hop Caucus, Jacqueline Patterson from the NAACP, Cherri Foytlin from BOLD Louisiana, Varshini Prakash from the Sunrise Movement, Jessica Lorena Rangel from Eyes of a Dreamer, and lots more
But you don’t need to be in D.C. to be part of the action. Hundreds of watch parties are already planned in cities and towns across the country. And thanks to the amazing lineup of speakers, it’s a great place for experienced climate activists and new people alike to learn more about the climate crisis and get real tools to take action this year. The event is also interactive – meaning there will be time to talk with your group about ideas and plans for the next few weeks, not just to listen to the fancy people on stage.
Here are just a few of the topics we’ll cover:
- How to resist the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks on our climate and communities;
- Building power towards the 2018 and 2020 elections;
- The need to unite to secure the lasting change needed on climate through effective local campaigns, including passing local resolutions in your city or town;
- How together, we can take on the fossil fuel barons driving climate change and build the world we need, with a fast and just transition to 100% renewable energy for all.
I’m a retired US citizen living in Spain. I am unable to call my Congressman and Senators from here, so I send copious amounts of email. I’d like to support your cause and efforts, but from this distance it’s difficult. Any suggestions? Also, are you aware of any kindred organizations in or near my neighborhood — Santander, Spain? Thanks for all that you are doing.
In this particular instance, YES! There’s lots you can do. The fossil free fast webinars are focused on us audiences (it’s all/mostly in English, and most of the tactics we’ll talk about are proven strategies for US citizens at the local level), BUT there are already a few international watch parties scheduled, and no reason you can’t host one too. The timing is tough for Spain and Western Europe so I suggest you schedule a time the next day (feb 1) and watch the recording. But the tools and information should be easy to translate to Spain or your local city or town.