Another busy year of working to save the climate is coming to a close for Climate First!. And it's been an interesting one, especially with the three month Summer of Heat campaign kicking off in June in NYC. In the campaign, there were over 5,000 people involved in 40 plus actions--mostly at Citibank's HQ--that were trying to get the lender to reduce its massive climate pollution. And over 700 activists, including one from Climate First!, were arrested for engaging in civil disobedience during the protests.

Starting tomorrow, December 20th, we will be encouraging our dedicated supporters in our End of Year (EOY) Fundraising Campaign to help us get Citibank and other major U.S. banks to move their huge investments out of dirty fossil fuels. And into clean energy. Therefore, please make a donation to Climate First!, Inc. before 2024 becomes history. FYI: our goal for the fundraiser is $2,000.00, and each donated dollar will be doubled until the $500.00 runs out. See "DETAILS" below. 

As an essential member of Stop the Money Pipeline (STMP)--a 240+ group nationwide coalition that is pressing the above four banks to always think climate first--our work, in part, uses the leverage possessed by bank customers (individual and corporate) to push the lenders to STOP financing climate-wrecking fossil fuels. And instead, invest fully in renewable energy.

Specifically, in STMP and Th!rd Act's "Costco: Clean Up Your Credit Card" campaign, Climate First! and many other groups  have petitioned Costco members (and non-members) to use their leverage to convince the 3rd largest retailer in the world to ask its credit card provider--big time climate-polluter, Citibank--to start divesting from fossil fuels. And instead invest in clean energy. Or else, Costco will take its extremely profitable credit card business to another bank. Critically, since the campaign was launched in the summer of 2023, a lot has been accomplished. In October of this year, the organizers met with Costco's CEO and VP to discuss the climate impacts of its banking and credit card relationships. The small group had a second follow-up meeting with Costco's VP earlier this month, and are still currently "in conversation" with them about Costco's specific next steps and commitments. That's really exciting!

Finally (and obviously), the new year will bring a real change to Climate First! and others' climate work. With an incoming  administration and Congress that will be hostile to any law, regulation, or international agreement that attempts to address the climate crisis, activists are presently modifying, if not creating new, strategies and campaigns in their work. More on that later...     

Therefore, to continue our climate work, Climate First! needs your financial help to cover expenses involving communication and travel, as well as basic expenses such as office rent, among other things.  

DETAILS:
WHAT: Climate First!'s EOY Fundraiser has a goal of $2,000.00. Also, a donation-matching arrangement
            will allow each donated dollar to be doubled, until the $500.00 runs out. 
WHEN: Starting Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 at 12:01 am, ET; and ending Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 11:59 pm.
WHERE: Online, using the following link: https://www.climatefirst.us/donate .  
MISC: We won't pay fees, if you mail us a check: Climate First!, P.O. Box 5815, Takoma Park, MD 20913.

Please give generously to Climate First!, Inc. during our End-of-Year Fundraiser, December 20 to 31.