We are reviving our newsletter! :) Read on for updates on what's going on in the hub, accomplishments, upcoming events, action items, and opportunities in the Houston climate justice space!
Sunrise Houston News
Hub-Wide Events
We held a Field Day fundraiser on January 18 with a water balloon toss, hula hoop pass competition, and more! And empanadas and merch for sale Keep an eye out for the next one coming up in September!
Sunrise Houston News
Hub-Wide Events
We held a Field Day fundraiser on January 18 with a water balloon toss, hula hoop pass competition, and more! And empanadas and merch for sale Keep an eye out for the next one coming up in September!
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Public Transit
METRO decides their fiscal budget this summer, so we’ve been showing up with DSA and LinkHouston to call for more buses and frequency. If you want to get involved by speaking before the METRO board, fill out this form!! We can also read your statement on your behalf!
The Gulfton BRT designs haven’t been released yet, but we have continued to ask for more buses and designs that would support less traffic (e.g., bus-only lane). The design should be out by the end of the summer!
Tangent - the mayor has been removing bike lanes booooo (Austin St) and banning scooters downtown booooo
METRO decides their fiscal budget this summer, so we’ve been showing up with DSA and LinkHouston to call for more buses and frequency. If you want to get involved by speaking before the METRO board, fill out this form!! We can also read your statement on your behalf!
The Gulfton BRT designs haven’t been released yet, but we have continued to ask for more buses and designs that would support less traffic (e.g., bus-only lane). The design should be out by the end of the summer!
Tangent - the mayor has been removing bike lanes booooo (Austin St) and banning scooters downtown booooo
Climate Book Club Cliffnotes
Climate Book Club's first read was Afterglow, an anthology by Grist. We were hosted by Basket Books and Art’s lovely Web Club on March 20.
Climate Book Club's first read was Afterglow, an anthology by Grist. We were hosted by Basket Books and Art’s lovely Web Club on March 20.
Most recently we discussed Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer at Kefita Coffee, on May 17 and July 12. Some takeaways from the group:
- Honorable Harvest - take only what you need, and respect where you take from and what you take
- Nanobozho’s Dilemma - today it’s often more convenient and even necessary to partake in a system that forces moral averageness, but we can still give back in our own ways
- The modern wendigo - the wendigo is a monster based on insatiable hunger, but was formed from scarcity
- Kindness and empathy - community is important, so join us for the next book club event :D
Next up is How To Blow Up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm on August 29... purely for entertainment purposes of course!
Banned Libraries
The Banned Library working group is building five little libraries around Houston with government banned books in response to the HISD State takeover. The undemocratically elected superintendent of HISD, Mike Miles, has dismantled libraries in schools to turn them into disciplinary centers. We want to use our banned libraries to build connections, raise awareness, and educate our communities on subjects that are necessary to know about yet suppressed by our decision makers.
Using books and funds donated by community members, we built and installed our first banned library at 4205 Lyons Ave!! It will be opening to the public on July 25 at Hands In Dirt, a joint show with Root Cause, the Climate Justice Museum, and Texas Green Workers. Come out to borrow a book!
The Banned Library working group is building five little libraries around Houston with government banned books in response to the HISD State takeover. The undemocratically elected superintendent of HISD, Mike Miles, has dismantled libraries in schools to turn them into disciplinary centers. We want to use our banned libraries to build connections, raise awareness, and educate our communities on subjects that are necessary to know about yet suppressed by our decision makers.
Using books and funds donated by community members, we built and installed our first banned library at 4205 Lyons Ave!! It will be opening to the public on July 25 at Hands In Dirt, a joint show with Root Cause, the Climate Justice Museum, and Texas Green Workers. Come out to borrow a book!
Art and Merch
We’re making a zine again! Similar to "Afterglow" by Grist, Starfield will be a collection of climate justice stories and artwork from young, local Houston artists. Each submission will be reviewed by three judges on story, topic relevancy, and technique. The top four submissions will be rewarded $25 each, along with a free copy of the T-shirt, a free copy of the zine, and the chance to promote their work alongside Sunrise merch at a future tabling event. Submit here!
We’re making a zine again! Similar to "Afterglow" by Grist, Starfield will be a collection of climate justice stories and artwork from young, local Houston artists. Each submission will be reviewed by three judges on story, topic relevancy, and technique. The top four submissions will be rewarded $25 each, along with a free copy of the T-shirt, a free copy of the zine, and the chance to promote their work alongside Sunrise merch at a future tabling event. Submit here!
Economic Justice
In Spring 2025, the Economic Justice working group created a Sunrise Lending Library! We have ~20 items available so far, including a tent and set of camping supplies, a generator, a Cri-Cut machine, and a tamalera. Hub members, check it out! (Currently open to Sunrise members only)
In Spring 2025, the Economic Justice working group created a Sunrise Lending Library! We have ~20 items available so far, including a tent and set of camping supplies, a generator, a Cri-Cut machine, and a tamalera. Hub members, check it out! (Currently open to Sunrise members only)
Uvalde Ranch Leaks
(R.A. Schuetz, Houston Chronicle)
After Hurricane Beryl, residents at Uvalde Ranch Apartments in NE Houston faced dangerous delays in roof repairs and mold cleanup. The Uvalde Ranch Leaks working group responded by organizing tenants and documenting the crisis. We appeared on the front page of the Houston Chronicle; a video by Mal Sanchez; and the Unconventional Journalist podcast! Following public pressure surrounding this and other Houston Housing Authority controversies, HHA CEO David Northern resigned. The new administration is reviewing future landlord contracts more critically.
During Rice University’s Alternative Spring Break, we trained 10 Rice students to support door-to-door outreach and helped residents file TDHCA complaints. We also began collaborating with Kourtney Revels (Bayou City Waterkeeper) and Julia Orduña (Texas Housers).
We're now seeking a new lead to continue this work or organize around the next disaster.
After Hurricane Beryl, residents at Uvalde Ranch Apartments in NE Houston faced dangerous delays in roof repairs and mold cleanup. The Uvalde Ranch Leaks working group responded by organizing tenants and documenting the crisis. We appeared on the front page of the Houston Chronicle; a video by Mal Sanchez; and the Unconventional Journalist podcast! Following public pressure surrounding this and other Houston Housing Authority controversies, HHA CEO David Northern resigned. The new administration is reviewing future landlord contracts more critically.
During Rice University’s Alternative Spring Break, we trained 10 Rice students to support door-to-door outreach and helped residents file TDHCA complaints. We also began collaborating with Kourtney Revels (Bayou City Waterkeeper) and Julia Orduña (Texas Housers).
We're now seeking a new lead to continue this work or organize around the next disaster.
New Members
Ari, Ethan, Brock, Ellis, Jane, Rob, Noah and Sajan joined this year!
Ari, Ethan, Brock, Ellis, Jane, Rob, Noah and Sajan joined this year!
Take Action
Want to help us fight for climate justice in Houston?? Here are some actions that you can take!
Upcoming Events
Something’s always coming up with Sunrise! You can look forward to a new series of social events on Sunday nights. Either come draw funny things on us with discord, or pull up to a function!
Regular Meeting Schedule:
Bulletin Board
Houston-Area Environmental Jobs
Burns & McDonnell - Staff Environmental Scientist - Natural Resources
Coastal Prairie Conservancy - Nature’s Burial Associate
Harris County Flood Control District - Field Data Collector
Harris County Pollution Control - Air Compliance Coordinator
Harris County Public Health - Mosquito Surveillance Lab/Field Technician
H-GAC - multiple positions
Houston Arboretum - multiple positions
Land, Sea, and Sky - Birding & Nature Programs Coordinator
Student Conservation Association - Houston Trail Maintenance Individual Placement
Texas Campaign for the Environment - Organizing Manager
Texas Climate Jobs Action Fund - Political Director
Texas Climate Jobs Project - Senior External Organizer
Email [email protected] if you'd like us to share anything in our bulletin board!
Want to help us fight for climate justice in Houston?? Here are some actions that you can take!
- Submit comments to the Texas House of Reps on their revised congressional redistricting plan, or speak in person at the hearing on July 26
- The Teach-Ins working group is in need of theatre kids and/or actors to help us record a video that teaches people about climate injustices in Houston. We have the script, but we need actors and/or content creators. If this sounds like you, email [email protected] and let us know if you could help!
- Submit to our Starfield zine using this form
- Donate books related to climate or social justice to our Banned Libraries working group—we have a wishlist, but are also accepting books not on the wishlist. Email [email protected] if you are interested in donating!
- Fill out this form to help the Public Transit working group advocate for more bus frequency in next year's METRO budget
- Join our Discord to participate in weekly meetings!
Upcoming Events
Something’s always coming up with Sunrise! You can look forward to a new series of social events on Sunday nights. Either come draw funny things on us with discord, or pull up to a function!
Regular Meeting Schedule:
- Wednesdays 7-8 pm CST - Weekly hub meetings on Discord, alternating between Agenda Meetings and Working Meetings.
- Thursdays 7-8 pm CST - Public Transit Working Group meetings on Discord
- July 25 - Banned Library Opening / Root Cause Hands in Dirt Storytelling Show and Concert, 7 pm
- The Banned Libraries Working Group is finally stocking the library we built a few weeks ago. Come through and help us put books on the shelves!
- Also happening at the same time and place is Root Cause’s Hands in Dirt Show. This event celebrates the people who build and maintain our green spaces, sharing stories about working outdoors and building community.
- August 3 - Teach-In for New Members at Coral Sword, 11 am-12:30 pm
- We will be going over what climate and environmental justice looks like in Houston and how to get more plugged into the hub!
- Once a month on every third Sunday - Discord Social!
- Come meet and socialize with your favorite Sunrise folks to play some silly party games over discord! We'll be in the #Treehouse-Room voice channel. Gate's open, come on in :)
- August 9 - Board Game Night at Coral Sword, 6 pm
- Come join your favorite Sunrise peeps for a board game night at Coral Sword, where you will be mercilessly destroyed by Rob at every single game without exception. He is a menace and has no mercy.
- September 6 (tentative) - Field Day
- We’re bringing back Field Day as a chill mixer for Sunrise and Houston area friends. Expect games, good hangs, and a clothing swap! Volunteers needed for marketing and day-of setup/takedown.
Bulletin Board
Houston-Area Environmental Jobs
Burns & McDonnell - Staff Environmental Scientist - Natural Resources
Coastal Prairie Conservancy - Nature’s Burial Associate
Harris County Flood Control District - Field Data Collector
Harris County Pollution Control - Air Compliance Coordinator
Harris County Public Health - Mosquito Surveillance Lab/Field Technician
H-GAC - multiple positions
Houston Arboretum - multiple positions
Land, Sea, and Sky - Birding & Nature Programs Coordinator
Student Conservation Association - Houston Trail Maintenance Individual Placement
Texas Campaign for the Environment - Organizing Manager
Texas Climate Jobs Action Fund - Political Director
Texas Climate Jobs Project - Senior External Organizer
Email [email protected] if you'd like us to share anything in our bulletin board!
Donate to Sunrise Houston
Your donation helps us compensate our lead volunteers, hold events, build little libraries, and more!
Follow/join us here:
Instagram @sunrisemvmthtx
Discord discord.gg/kJdQEbhwUU
Twitter @sunrisemvmthtx
Website sunrisemvmthtx.com
Interest Form (we will call/text and onboard you)
Your donation helps us compensate our lead volunteers, hold events, build little libraries, and more!
Follow/join us here:
Instagram @sunrisemvmthtx
Discord discord.gg/kJdQEbhwUU
Twitter @sunrisemvmthtx
Website sunrisemvmthtx.com
Interest Form (we will call/text and onboard you)