Champions of Change: 350 Eugene and Fossil Free Eugene
In an era defined by unprecedented environmental challenges, the call for climate justice has grown stronger than ever. As the global community grapples with the consequences of climate change, there is hope to be found in the many passionate organizations committed to effecting positive change. In this blog post, we turn our spotlight to 350 Eugene and Fossil Free Eugene, two of ZERO Coalition’s Community Partners, to learn how these organizations have risen to the forefront of the battle for a sustainable and equitable future.
Describe your organization’s makeup & work
350 Eugene
350 Eugene is an all volunteer organization. The makeup of our Steering Committee includes approximately 20 people where almost everyone is retired from various professions. Our work is focused on numerous climate-related issues. This past year we have focused on local issues and worked in coalition with Fossil Free Eugene. Our president, Patty Hine, is on their steering committee. In that regard, we have met with local legislators and testified at city council to support the Electrification Ordinance that was passed in Eugene and is now being challenged by NW Natural’s almost 1 million dollars fueling negative and incorrect information to the community.
We participate in statewide legislative actions such as the Building Resilience Coalition, Oregon Climate and Equity Network, and others to pass climate-related state bills. We are so pleased with this session’s votes on the 2 climate bill packages. The other important focus right now is Forest Defense. We work with forest-related groups like Oregon Wild and Cascadia Wildlands to push for more sustainable forest practices. We participate via testimony and direct action. In the past, we were active on the county level to advocate for a County Climate Action Plan, which we now have.
Fossil Free Eugene
Fossil Free Eugene is a coalition of grassroots organizations and groups that are holding our city accountable to its own climate goals and working to facilitate a just transition to clean renewable energy for all residents.
Active members of our coalition include Beyond Toxics, Breach Collective, Cascadia Wildlands, Climate Justice League, Eugene/Springfield NAACP, Springfield/Eugene Tenants Association, Sunrise Eugene, 350 Eugene, and more.
What is your biggest goal?
350 Eugene
Our biggest goal is to identify and work for the changes needed to support a liveable climate future for everyone. We have been focused on building working relationships and supporting groups and organizations where younger people are doing important climate-related work, by sharing our organizing experience and supporting other logistics like being a conduit for funding and fund management for specific climate-related events.
Fossil Free Eugene
We have a threefold platform:
Mandating that new construction in Eugene be built all-electric.
Facilitating a just transition for low-income and historically marginalized communities through the creation of a justice fund to support whole-home retrofits among other critical steps to move from fossil fuels to clean renewable electricity.
Transitioning all utilities in the city to 100% renewable energy by 2030.
What is the biggest barrier to reaching your goal?
350 Eugene
The biggest challenge, which is common to everyone working in the climate realm, is that climate disruption is so multi-faceted and is related to so many issues. Deciding where to best spend our time and efforts is an ongoing conversation. The other challenge on a core group level is that we are older, many of us in our 70s, and so building working relationships and supporting younger people is key.
Fossil Free Eugene
There are a lot of challenges a grassroots coalition faces, but so far the most significant obstacle to achieving our goals is the immense amount of resources behind the local gas cooperation and the larger gas industry. NW Natural is a single fuel utility and electrification poses an existential threat to them. Because of this, they have used every dirty trick in the book to subvert our campaign and local climate policy as well as work in other cities and at the state level – from misleading advertising, to paying protestors, to forming an astroturf front group, and many other anti-democratic tactics.
What are advocacy opportunities the public can get involved in to help get closer to the goal?
350 Eugene
Depending on what type of engagement people are interested in, advocacy with city council, local representatives, state representatives is one arena. We have a very strong art component to our group and like to use art to educate and bring attention to climate-related issues, we like to get out in the streets with provocative and beautiful artwork. Our monthly blast is likely the best way to stay informed and engage with our work. People can sign up for the blast on our website.
Fossil Free Eugene
We often have events, rallies, or actions that people can participate in. The best way to stay up to date on Fossil Free Eugene’s campaign and ways to get involved is to join our listserv – you can do so by clicking this link.
350 Eugene and Fossil Free Eugene have embraced the fight for climate justice with unwavering determination, channeling their efforts towards fostering environmental stewardship, advocating for marginalized communities, and confronting the power structures that perpetuate environmental injustice. Through innovative initiatives, grassroots campaigns, and strategic alliances, they are spearheading the charge for a more sustainable and inclusive world.