If you are like me, the recent IPCC report left you sad, worried, discouraged . But, I
hope, like me, you have resolved to not panic and to channel your energy into action
instead of despair. (In case you missed it, you can read articles about the IPCC
report here and here, and you can find the full report here.) There are many
individual actions we can take to lower our carbon footprint, which I’m sure many of
you are already doing. But, it is clear we need large-scale collective action to really
have the impact needed to stem the most catastrophic effects of climate change. And
to do that we need more elected officials who are committed to immediate, strong
action. So, one of the most important things we can do is seek out and vote for those
candidates.
Even better than voting, is voting and getting other people to vote also – especially
younger people, who believe in climate action at higher rates, but tend to vote at
lower rates. There are many ways to multiply your vote:

• Talking to voters in person
• Texting voters
• Writing letters/postcards to voters
• Calling voters on the phone
• Getting 3+ friends to vote
• Driving people to the polls
• Holding a mini-party at your house and doing these actions together

Maybe you have been getting requests from candidates and organizations to
volunteer to help get people to the polls. IT’S TIME TO TAKE THEM UP ON IT! If you
haven’t received any volunteer solicitations, a quick Google search can pull up how
to volunteer for the candidate or organization of your choice. If you are already
writing postcards, or phone banking, or canvassing, you can multiply your vote even
more by getting your friends to join you in those efforts. We only have a few weeks
until the mid-term elections, so we all have our work cut out for us.
Exponentiate your vote!
One final note: even local non-partisan elections are important. If you aren’t sure
who to vote for, check in with your local Sierra Club chapter so see if they have
made endorsements (Loma Prieta Chapter, San Francisco Bay Chapter)

On September 8, 2018, thousands of people converged in San Francisco for the ‘Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice’ march, just days before the Global Climate Action Summit, demanding a phase-out of fossil fuel extraction and a just transition to a 100% renewable energy economy. Event organizers emphasized community-led solutions, starting in places most impacted by pollution and climate change. The march brought together people from across California, the U.S., and around the world, including those facing health impacts associated with oil & gas production, those recovering from the devastation of the state’s worsening wildfires, those working to resist the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, and those advocating for and building solutions to the climate crisis within their communities. In San Francisco, people took to the streets in the largest climate march the West Coast has ever seen that also included the largest ever street mural. Concurrently, people around the world will join more than 830 events in 91 countries under the “Rise for Climate” banner. In the U.S., over 300 events are planned in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Photo by Brooke Anderson | Survival Media Agency.

We’re in a climate emergency, and 350 Silicon Valley is ramping up its actions. On August 24 at the UU church in San Jose, our event organizers Ralph King and Kathy Pimentel were joined by David Solnit, 350.org’s North American Arts Organizer, The Peace Poets from Brooklyn, and more than 40 arts builders from 350 Silicon Valley, partner groups and faith and other community volunteers. We created silk screen posters and a huge banner, saw how street murals are made, and learned songs for the September 8 Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice March in San Francisco.

Come join us at 10AM in San Francisco at Embarcadero Plaza on September 8 for the biggest climate march in Northern California history. Caltrain is the best way from San Jose and the Peninsula.

Photos by Chris Cassell and Jack Owicki, ProBonoPhoto.org

An excellent article by 350SV member David Coale:

As our electricity grid gets cleaner and cleaner with California’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) increasing the percentages of renewables to 50% by 20301 and with many communities opting for Community Choice Energy where this will happen even sooner and at a lower price, the switch to electric energy to do our bidding is getting more attention.

The May-June 2018 issue of SVCAN newsletter was just released! 

Welcome to the May-June 2018 edition of SVCAN -- the Silicon Valley Climate Action Newsletter.  This reduced edition focuses on our "good news" articles and does not include upcoming events announcements, a book review, a partner profile and links to other good news articles.  Enjoy and keep up the climate fight. 

See livestream video of standing room only 100+ crowd at New Year, New Energy event on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/350SiliconValley/videos/1663178440370278/

Please share widely!