Organizing for Power & Climate Action

You’d be hard pressed to argue that Austin is a “true green city” considering our reliance on fossil fuels and dynamics of racial & social equity. But if asked, how would you describe what “truly green” really means?

Are we green if the workers building LEED certified buildings aren’t paid a living wage or provided required rest breaks?

Are we green if only the wealthy, affluent class can afford to use renewable energy?

What about if we as a city source our electricity from “less polluting” sources like fracked gas over coal?

What role are the most impacted by climate change (Onion Creek flood, ill, poor) playing in the policy discussions about combating climate change?

We have ideas, and want to hear yours. Please join us for this initial meeting to discuss our campaigns and points of entry for your involvement and input.

A growing network of climate, social, and racial justice organizers and activists have been exploring this question over the past several months. Borne out of the work originally proposed under the banner of “Austin Eco Justice”, we aim to work with you to identify and break down the barriers between the historically privileged environmental community and the working class, the poor, and communities of color, and build on the long process of cultivating broad community power in Austin.

The unifying vehicle we will use to develop relationships between each other and our communities is the about-to-be-proposed update to the Austin Energy Resource Generation Plan. Every person in Austin pays a light or electric bill. Fewer than everyone are impacted by smog and respiratory illness tied to pollution from the fossil fuel based sources of our electricity. Even fewer will actually benefit financially from a decision to update the plan by expanding fossil fuels.

The generation plan is not the endgame. Its the tool we’ll use to build, and we all have a stake in it.