Hello enviro friends!
So some of you may know every election year Patagonia engages its customers and voters in a non-partisan environmental campaign called Vote our Planet(VOP). The gist of VOP is this:
Patagonia believes the environmental crisis has reached a critical tipping point. Without commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, defend clean water, and divest from dirty technologies, humankind as a whole will destroy our planet’s ability to repair itself. We must change our habits if we hope to survive. All politics are local. But a majority of voters only vote for the top tier ticket. We must use our power as citizens to elect leaders all the way down the ballot who can meet the environmental crisis, and hold them accountable when they fail to meet it. We support a proactive, robust response to climate change that includes the cleanest energy sources, truly sustainable agriculture and a focus from all sectors and geographies on finding solutions to this crisis. We are looking for and encouraging our audience to look for candidates who share that level of commitment to fighting climate change, at home and through international cooperation.
Here in New York City, Patagonia’s VOP campaign is focusing on one issue: closing Indian Point.Indian Point’s nuclear power is neither clean nor green. New York City’s elected officials have been silent for over a decade, while Hudson Valley communities have called for closure. Shutting down Indian Point would give New York City the opportunity to better secure its green energy future.
Which is why I’m excited to invite you all to join us for a VOP event focusing on the important work local non-profits and activists like yourself are doing to permanently shut down this dirty and dangerous facility. Join us and the Hudson River protectors at Riverkeeper as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary by joining us for a special “River Talk” at Patagonia SoHo for a conversation about Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.
We will be screening four films from Jon Bowermaster’s Hudson: A River at Risk documentary series, ending with his feature “The Long Shadow of Indian Point.” After the films, Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay and New Yorkers for Clean Power Outreach Director Betta Broad will discuss the future of Indian Point, a nuclear plant located 34 miles from Times Square, and the need to close the aging plant. Paul will be joined by Betta Broad from New Yorkers for Clean Power, who will discuss renewable energy sources and how New Yorkers can achieve a clean energy future.
About the panelists and filmmaker:
Follow our anniversary events and discussions throughout the year by using the hashtag #50onHudson! Facebook invite can be found and shared via this link.
I hope to see you all there.
Warmest regards,
Liz O’Donnell
Patagonia | District Environmental Coordinator, NYC