Masada Disenhouse, SanDiego350 Executive Director and Co-founder
Dear SanDiego350 community,
You may have seen the recent news that 350.org (the international organization that SanDiego350 is affiliated with) is suspending its programs in the United States, and wondered if our work at SanDiego350 will be impacted.
While we have successfully partnered with 350.org’s US campaigns many times (notably on the Keystone Pipeline, the Dakota Access, divestment campaigns) and are saddened that 350.org will be suspending its U.S. programs, I want to assure you that this change at 350.org will not affect our funding, our campaigns, or ability to achieve our mission.
SanDiego350 is, and has always been, a legally and financially independent organization with its own non-profit status, which means we decide what programs, campaigns, and initiatives we engage in. We remain committed to winning systemic change and political action for climate justice – ensuring a sustainable future and access to affordable clean energy for all, ending fossil fuel extraction, and holding polluters and politicians accountable.
Unlike chapter-based organizations (such as the Sierra Club or Surfrider), SanDiego350 and other 350 state and local organizations are loose affiliates – not chapters. Each 350 affiliate is an independent organization that was established and built locally, operates autonomously, and does not receive funding or direction from 350.org.
It is a testimony to 350.org’s movement leadership that it inspired people across the country to form over 100 independent affiliates, recognizing that people on the ground are best positioned to determine and execute local strategies and tactics. As noted in 350.org’s letter to partners, these affiliates, many of whom we collaborate with regularly, remain vibrant and dynamic forces for change.
SanDiego350 is a founding member of the 350 Network Council, an independent coalition of the stronger 350 affiliates in the U.S.. As a network, we leverage the experience and knowledge of our members to build the capacity of our organizations and to seed the growth and development of smaller 350 affiliates. We also are part of a legislative coalition of 350 affiliates in California, where we work jointly on legislation to advance a just transition to 100% renewable energy and to end fossil fuel extraction.
Beyond the 350 network, we are deeply embedded in the San Diego and California climate movement. Our youth and adult leaders participate actively in the Last Chance Alliance, a statewide coalition focused on building a fossil-free future for California. We are a founding member of the Transportation Equity Coalition and of the San Diego Building Electrification Coalition here in San Diego. We participate in dozens of other coalitions and work with over 100 partner organizations.
We hope 350.org will return to U.S. operations in future. In the meantime, in partnership with our many allies and with your support, SanDiego350’s important work will continue. I have so much gratitude for everyone in the SanDiego350 community. You – our volunteers, staff, members, partners, and supporters – are what make our work and our impact possible and powerful. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Onwards,
Masada Disenhouse
Executive Director and Co-founder
Check out SanDiego350’s accomplishments.