Our Story…
How it started
In 2019 a group of moms terrified about climate change serendipitously found each other. For all of them, becoming parents had made activism more challenging.
At the same time, becoming parents made climate action feel more necessary, more urgent, more REAL.
They started organizing family-friendly climate actions together and Climate Families NYC was born. Since then, this small group of moms has grown to more than 1,800 families fighting for climate action from across New York City and the metropolitan area.
Join hundreds of other families in taking action for climate!
Who We Are
Parents, caregivers, kids, educators & neighbors
Joining this group is one of the best things I've done! I love that I can bring my kids!
Rachana
We’re a thrifty, grassroots, volunteer community powered by snack bars, joy, coffee, and the drive to protect our kids. We’re parents, caregivers, kids, educators, and neighbors.
You don’t need to be a seasoned activist, an expert in climate legislation, or living a perfectly “eco” lifestyle to join us. We all have different capacities, skills, interests and resources - together that’s what makes us powerful!
I like Climate Families events because they’re fun and I want to help the planet. I think we should stop fossil fuels RIGHT NOW!
Kiki, 6
What We Do
Family-friendly collective action for systemic change
We make collective action for climate justice accessible to families
Showing up is one of the best tools we have to effect change but making time for protests or figuring out what actions are appropriate for kids is challenging. Most of our actions are family-friendly and kids of all ages are welcome. Bigger kids are welcome to help out at actions, and we also have a subgroup just for them.
Most of us are busy parents and we understand. If the only time you have to dedicate is once a month when your kids are asleep, we get it. If you have to drop off a zoom meeting because your kid wants a last hug before bed, we get it. If you have to breastfeed your infant while lobbying electeds for climate action, we get it (we’ve done it!). If the only reason you’re here is because your kids have been hassling you to do something about climate, we love it! We welcome all contributions to the community and we all work together to channel our collective climate angst into collective action against fossil fuels.
We Fight for Climate Legislation and Funding…
We can’t rely on the fossil fuel industry to phase out its own product, and the burgeoning renewables market is in need of a boost. Passing legislation is one way to effect the change we need.
We fight for climate legislation at all levels, we push for executive action on climate, and we demand more funding for climate solutions.
With a population of over 19 and a half million and the 10th largest economy in the world, the legislation that New York State passes has ramifications for the whole world!
Climate Families in Albany, NY, lobbying for the NY HEAT Act
Play-in and letter delivery at Governor Hochul’s Manhattan office
Climate Families in Washington DC calling for climate action
With solar panels and giant bubbles outside Senator Schumer's Brooklyn home
Kids write letters for the Climate Jobs and Justice act.
Asking for climate funding as always! This time for the Climate and Communities Investment Act
Pushing for Climate Jobs and Justice
..We take on all the pillars of
the fossil fuel industry
For example, finance is one of the pillars holding up the fossil fuel industry. Without financing or insurance, fossil fuel infrastructure can’t get built. Without investment, fossil fuel companies become less viable.
As New Yorkers we are uniquely placed to take on the financial institutions and show them that fossil fuels are toxic to the planet and their portfolio. And we have been known to do just that! From “play-ins” outside BlackRock to singalongs outside Citi HQ to intercepting bank execs at awards ceremonies. We even showed up at investment bank CEO Larry Fink’s estate and briefly managed to convince him he had a role to play in helping the planet.
Our Mother’s Day visit to Citi CEO Jane Fraser
Play-in with the fire parachute outside Black Rock HQ in Manhattan
..We Have Fun!
We aim to make our actions fun, creative and kid-appropriate. We make art, sing, dance, blow bubbles, wear costumes, take field trips and bring lots and lots of snacks to make our actions and events engaging for kids and grown-ups alike.
While we like to enjoy ourselves, we also make sure our actions are meaningful and worthwhile - focusing our collective power and resources to shake the foundations of the fossil fuel industry!
Lemonade stand outside Citi HQ
Many of our actions use art that the kids have made themselves
but most importantly…
We get results!
Any progress on climate is made because many, many people have turned up, worked hard, hustled and fought for it. Climate action works! We’re just a small part of the climate movement in New York but, make no mistake, we’re mighty!
Some legislation we pushed for that made it through:
The Climate Leadership and Protection Act, New York’s flagship climate law
The Inflation Reduction Act (previously Build Back Better) that opens up federal funding for renewables
The Climate Superfund Act that fines big polluters for their past emissions and reinvests it in climate resiliency
The Build Public Renewables Act
Electric school buses in New York City
And more…
Getting attention for the Climate Superfund Act right before it passed
Some wins in other arenas:
Moving NYC Comptroller Brad Lander to divest from fossil fuels
After relentless campaigning for Citi to defund fossil fuels, they have reported that they’re continuing to reduce their financing for fossil fuels as well as expanding the definition of what that covers.
Saving congestion pricing from Governor Hochul’s chopping block.
Universal Composting
And more…
Climate Families members with Brad Lander as he announces no more downstream fossil fuel investments
On News 12 taking part in a rally for congestion pricing
TLDR?
Watch our video!
And now that you’re convinced..
Help us sustain this amazing community and all the work that it’s putting into winning a livable future for all kids by becoming a Sustaining Member of Climate Families. For any amount per month you’ll help us build power, get an invite to a members-only event and free stickers
More than anything though, we’d like to welcome you into this community.
To get started, sign up to our newsletter. Get involved by checking out our events and join us at one. If you’d like to learn more or find out where your family can plug in, schedule a quick 1-on-1 call with an organizer.
Why We Do It
Even bringing my own child into the world felt like a tremendous act of hope given the warming climate. Climate change is already here and if we don’t do anything future generations won’t look back and wonder why we didn’t act - because there won’t be any.
— Doomy Mom
Fighting against climate change isn’t just about saving the world, it’s about creating a whole knew world - one that is cleaner, more just and equitable, and healthier for all. A world where everybody wins except fossil fuels.
— Hopey Mom
How It’s Going
We’re not stopping now! We are growing our movement of families fighting for a livable planet in both numbers and strength so that we can move fossil fuels into history and build a cleaner, greener, and more equitable future for all the world’s kids.