Everyone has the right to a healthy environment!
Everyone needs clean air, clean water, and a stable climate to survive and thrive. You might think that our constitutional rights to life and liberty include the right to a clean and healthy environment. Unfortunately, case law has made it clear that if it’s not expressly stated in law, there’s no guarantee it will be recognized. OCERA is advocating language in the Oregon Constitution to enforce these fundamental rights. Here’s how you can help!
Learn about our native oaks in our 350 Salem radio program.
350 Salem’s own radio program, The Elephant in the Room, features host Tom Ellis interviewing biology Professor David Craig about the symbiotic relationship between Oregon white oaks and birds. It turns out those ancient white oaks host hundreds of species, and can also withstand climate change more readily than most tree species. LISTEN
Our Children’s Trust advocates for children, and needs your support.
Nearly ten years ago, the Juliana 21 brought a first-of-its-kind, youth-led constitutional climate lawsuit against the U.S. government, asserting the government’s continued investment in fossil fuels, despite knowledge it would create the climate crisis, violates their fundamental rights.
Since then, Juliana v. United States has inspired winning human rights climate cases globally. In the United States, it has faced more government opposition than any case in history where the U.S. government is a defendant.
The climate crisis is the single greatest threat to our children’s health. Learn more about Our Children’s Trust and how you can help!
Salem needs a Zero Waste policy!
A huge landfill in our valley is spewing methane. Its owners want to expand.
Learn more about the problems associated with the Coffin Butte Landfill, where the majority of Salem’s trash goes. We are causing harms to the environment and to the 3,000 people who live near the landfill. We urge our City Council to adopt a Zero Waste policy to go with our Net Zero by 2050 policy, and to pursue it aggressively.
350 Salem celebrates 10 years of activism!
It’s our birthday! 350 Salem OR was founded by a loose network of local activists in 2014. Our mission is to build an inclusive grassroots movement focused on keeping fossil fuels in the ground, advocating for a just transition to a renewable energy economy, protecting our last old growth forests, and supporting community-based resilience in response to the climate emergency. Protecting the stability of our climate is the most urgent task our world faces.
Phil Carver, Laurie Dougherty and Ray Quisenberry talk about the history, accomplishments and hopes for Salem’s climate future on our 350 Salem OR radio program, The Elephant in the Room.
“Fifty years from now people will likely look back on this era through the lens of having seen catastrophic climate changes that we cannot even imagine. Our legacy will depend on the level of moral courage we display in this difficult challenge.”
— 350 Salem OR Co-coordinator Phil Carver