Our window of opportunity to maintain a livable climate is quickly closing. We MUST make major progress in cutting fossil fuel emissions within the next 8 years. That’s a science-based deadline we cannot negotiate our way out of. 350 Sacramento is working hard to speed up and intensify local climate justice efforts.
“Action is the antidote to despair.” —Edward Abbey
Climate justice, the focus of 350 Sacramento's work, includes more than just the science of climate change. It is interconnected with myriad other crises in our community: inequality, ecosystem destruction, homelessness, racism, lack of healthcare, etc.
We pursue a vision that values people and the planet over profit. We believe it is possible to build a healthier, more equitable future for everyone, including other species. Remember, there is no Planet B.
Despite a pandemic, worsening climate chaos, and a dysfunctional political/corporate establishment, 350 Sacramento continues to chalk up wins in the fight for urgent climate action:
• In 2022, we worked diligently on providing 2,000 DIY air filters, free of charge, to the elderly and those who suffer from respiratory health conditions in the North & South Sacramento underserved communities. This effort is meant to minimize the exposure to hazardous air quality due to wildfires.
• The 350 Sacramento Team worked alongside the Measure A Not Ok campaign opposing Measure A. The measure was poorly calculated, would have increased pollution, and cost taxpayers billions. Volunteers, activists, and community members spent hours every week sharing flyers, banners, and information supported by research that Sacramento voters deserved to know. The grassroots work paid off! Measure A failed and the millions spent by wealthy private interest groups were no match for community activism on the ground.
• The County Supervisors postponed the Climate Action Plan (CAP) adoption, and suggested a number of changes into 2023. The CAP Team has continued analysis and advocacy with letters to staff discussing a seriously flawed measure, and requesting public review of any resulting CAP changes. We followed up with additional letters to Supervisors, cataloging the proposed changes, and repeating our request for a two-week public review.
• In 2021, we trained over 40 youth in our Student Environmental Activist Training (SEAT) program. Young people are leading the way for the climate movement, and SEAT graduates have taken on various climate justice projects, including starting Eco Clubs at their schools. With your support, we will continue to train new cohorts of young leaders in 2022.
• The SEAT program’s success was rewarded with both a grant from the Rose Foundation and a SMUD Shine Grant to fund young interns to pursue their own climate projects.
• After years of our persistent advocacy, SMUD, our local electric utility, approved a Zero Carbon by 2030 plan, the most ambitious carbon reduction plan of any large utility in the nation. They plan to close two fossil fuel power plants within 3 years.
• As a result of our leadership and engagement with the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change, the City of Sacramento passed an ordinance that requires all new buildings to be electric, with no natural gas (fossil fuel) infrastructure. This is a critical first step in reducing carbon emissions from the built environment.
• Our Climate Action Plan (CAP) Team has been tenacious in pressuring the County to improve their very flawed CAP, and is closely monitoring the upcoming City of Sacramento Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) to ensure its actions meet the scale of the climate crisis.
• We have other teams working on a variety of climate justice issues. The Mayors’ Climate Commission Implementation Team is working with the City to implement the Climate Commission recommendations. Our Legislative Team advocates for climate-friendly State legislation. The Third Act Team is mobilizing elders over 60 to support youth climate activists and other actions. We also host educational, fundraising, and just for fun events: a weekly radio show, climate coffee, speakers, community presentations, movie nights, and are part of a new Environmental Justice coalition. With your continued support, we will accomplish even more in 2022!
It is thanks to hundreds of incredibly dedicated and passionate 350 Sacramento volunteers that—together—we have been able to accomplish so much.
Mission: 350 Sacramento is a local grassroots organization committed to equitable solutions that accelerate the transition to a sustainable future, with atmospheric carbon dioxide levels below 350 parts per million.
Vision: We believe in a world with a safe climate, where nature is respected and protected, and our social, political, and economic systems work for all people and the planet.
“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.”—Barack Obama
It is vital that we step up our activities to address the climate crisis at the scale and speed necessary. The following needs will allow 350 Sacramento to do more and act faster.
We need funding for programs, team campaigns, activities, and actions to achieve desperately needed climate victories.
We have costs for outreach activities to engage more residents and increase climate action in the Sacramento region.
Ongoing costs include our office, supplies, equipment, software subscriptions, and other monthly fees for communication tools and payment processing.
Last, but most important, we need volunteers to accelerate our efforts to create a healthy and safe community and world, with special focus on future generations.
We believe that climate change disproportionately affects communities of color, underprivileged communities, and developing nations. It is an issue deeply rooted in colonization and capitalism. Climate justice, which recognizes that climate change is intertwined with other social struggles such as racism and economic inequality, is a central principle to our work and our movement, and thus building a strong, diverse social movement is necessary to combat climate change, which is a significant and mounting threat to the survival of humanity and all living things.
Therefore, we will strive to make 350 Sacramento’s culture one of respect, empathy, collaboration, inclusion, and liberation for people of all races, ages, sexes, genders, abilities, and religions. We will fight alongside the intersecting struggles for a more just, free, and sustainable society. We understand that each member comes from a different background and give the benefit of the doubt that each member is doing their best to meet these expectations. Consequently, we treat moments of possible misunderstanding or offense as opportunities to cultivate empathy, self-awareness, and restorative justice. We will continue to build our capacity to organize and co-power our diverse community to fulfill our mission.
Organization name
350 Sacramento
Tax id (EIN)
45-5552234
Mission Category
Environment
Operating Budget
$100,001-$250,000
Organization Need
Funding: Program, Funding: Other, Funding: Unrestricted, Volunteers
Demographics Served
Youth & Children, Low-income individuals/families, General population
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Counties Served
Sacramento
Address
909 12th St Suite 116Other
PO Box 161677Sacramento, CA, US