By Miguel Nigenda
What is the absolute best place to go if you want to get involved in climate action?
Honestly, I don’t know and I don’t think there is just one. But after going to the general meeting of 350 Seattle I can tell you this much. There are people out there, away from our screens, getting involved in solving our climate issues. And the best part is that they are awesome, fun, caring, and organized people (I got a hug as soon as I went in!). So, if you like meeting such people check out 350 Seattle. I can guarantee that you will not regret it.
The meeting itself has a well established structure. It started with a potluck for everyone to start eating and mingling, then the facilitator gave an update of the events and milestones achieved through the combined efforts of 350Seattle, i.e. Seattle’s divestment on Wells Fargo. After that an introduction is made to every work group and it ends by everyone separating into the work groups.
The work groups are listed on their site 350Seattle.org, but here’s a brief intro to them and what they shared that day:
Frontline Allies/National Marches – Activism in the community, talked about recent and future marches.
Artful Activism – Community outreach through art, called for the need of leadership roles to fill in dancing, art, music, and all which relates to art.
Civic Action Teams (CAT) – NEW. Develop teams within communities to engage their legislative districts on key climate bills through letter writing and lobbying with own legislators.
Community Solutions – Community efforts towards a renewable economy, talked about a local high earner tax initiative.
NW Divest/Seattle Divest – Using the momentum of the #NoDAPL movement, they promote taking the money out of entities that support oil drilling (divesting).
Hospitality team – Welcomes people to the group with food! Invited people to join them to greet new people.
Keep it in the ground – Discourage the extraction, usage and transportation of oil, they welcomed a new facilitator, Ahmed Gaya, and shared plans of action.
Pledge of resistance – Basically, peaceful civil disobedience.
Families United Now – Works with CAT to make climate actions family inclusive.
This part of the meeting ended with a presentation from Ahmed Gaya, about climate change being a fundamentally justice issue. Ahmed recently appeared on The Stranger.
After, people dispersed into their own workgroups, and it was at this moment where one could go anywhere to find out what each group was doing.
In the end one leaves the meeting feeling emotionally recharged and hopeful; having met such a group of welcoming people willing to share their knowledge and passion, who act on their beliefs.
Our climate issues are an immense challenge but our combined will is even bigger, and where there is a will…
Look at what I’m up to! Snapchat: miguel_nigenda
