A few years after Bill McKibben, May Boeve is also ‘stepping back’ from the climate change activist group 350.org.
The first three items on her list of accomplishments are all things I saw firsthand. The global divestment movement was a focus of my activist efforts from 2012–16 and then for my PhD research. Keystone XL resistance is a big part of what drew my interest to 350.org after 2011. In some ways, the 2014 People’s Climate March was the high point for Toronto350.org.
I can’t say I am optimistic about the present state of climate organizing. Activists are distracted by all sorts of issues and have little focus on actually abolishing and replacing fossil fuels, or on building a large and influential political coalition. Meanwhile, in mainstream politics, the way things are going is characterized by incomprehension about what is happening and ineffectual efforts to recapture what people feel entitled to, without comprehending that the world that made those things possible no longer exists. Humanity has never been in greater danger.
Related:
- The 350 movement
- Supporters of 350, understand what you are proposing
- Working on climate change
- On divestment and the 350.org Do The Math tour
- 350.org paying more attention to Canada
- McKibben on managing our descent
- Is the Leap Manifesto at risk of easy reversal?
- A broken culture in Toronto climate activism
- 350.org origin
- 2050 Post-Carbon conference, McKibben, and conservatives on climate
- Scholarly perspective on the U of T divestment campaign
- 350.org, fossil fuel divestment, and the campaign in a box
- 350 Canada and grassroots organizing
- Aidid on fossil fuel divestment at Canadian universities
- Persuasion and climate change politics
- 350.org’s perspective in 2023
- DeSilva and Harvey-Sànchez divestment podcast series complete
- Some documents from the history of fossil fuel divestment at the University of Toronto
Today is my last day at 350.org. I’m filled with gratitude and contentment to close this chapter for myself and cheer on my colleagues. It’s also hard to say goodbye to what has been a fundamental part of my life for almost 20 years!
350’s magical Managing Director, Olivia Langhoff, has already stepped in seamlessly as Interim Executive Director. My joy in having an externally focused role, enabling connections to all of you, is because she has been my partner, and has developed a beautifully well-run organization that is going on to new heights. It’s time for her flowers and all your support!
As for me: I’m super excited to be campaigning for Kamala and Tim in Michigan! And then I’ll take a break.
I have dreamed many dreams for the climate movement and our sister movements through the 350 platform, and many of them have come true. I still have many dreams for what we are capable of, and I feel grateful to leave during a moment of political possibility in my country. But we are a global community. What happens in the US is not the most important thing in the world (!), and few things make that more clear than the climate crisis. Only by working together across borders, cultures, and differences, can we tackle the challenges of climate change, authoritarianism, and corporate greed, and build a more humane world.
We all have so far to go, yet we will get there. I’m grateful to be taking a break so that I can get back out there rested for whatever comes next.
Love,
May
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/may-boeve-60098b275_350org-a-global-campaign-to-confront-the-activity-7246648186071621632-R-uo
At 350.org, the union claims that financial mismanagement led to mass layoffs and disproportionate workloads for Black and other workers of color, as POLITICO reported in February. Staffers described a hollowed out, rudderless organization far removed from its halcyon days as the movement’s logistical masterminds.
350.org’s struggles have continued since February. Its U.S. program staff stands at five people – two of which are managers – down from 9 in February and 50 in 2019. Some staff contend 350.org has relied on non-union contractors and volunteers amid a contentious union contract bargaining period.
“We expect this rebuilding to be slow and intentional and to align with the parallel process of producing a refreshed global, long-term organizational strategy,” 350.org spokesperson Sarah Wilbore said.
Wilbore added that 350.org does “hire consultants and independent contractors from time to time,” though it claims those “contracts stipulate an agreement between the individual for specific deliverables and/or purpose.” She said “350.org itself does not have unpaid or volunteer positions,” while noting its “vast, global network of local groups … are usually made up of volunteers.”
In May, the Progressive Workers Union, which represents organized 350.org staffers, filed an unfair labor practices claim against 350.org for firing a bargaining committee member and other allegations, which has not been previously reported.
Wilbore said 350.org was aware of the filing but declined to discuss it.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/19/big-green-justice-environment-00040148