Who We Are
Current Steering Committee Members
Jody Timms (she/her)
Jody is a founding member of 350Marin, first hearing about the international organization, 350.org in 2012 and then helping to create the Marin local group in March of 2013. She lives in Fairfax and is a long-time community organizer and activist, getting started in response to the Vietnam War at age 16. She loves connecting people, ideas and actions for social change and to make the world the best place possible for all generations here and yet to come. Currently, she spearheads (and adores) the College Student Internship Program and the “Advocating for Climate Leadership” campaign. You might just find her wherever you look!
Silke Valentine (she/her)
Silke lives in Novato and has been an active member of the 350 Marin steering committee since 2014. For more than three years, she has been organizing to prevent the building of a Costco Mega Gas Station in Novato with protests and a petition. As a mother and grandmother, Silke is especially concerned about climate justice, the human-made climate emergency, plastic pollution, the sixth mass extinction, and, therefore, a livable future for this generation, the next seven generations, and all life on earth. She is dedicated to raising awareness about the urgent need to end the era of Fossil Fuels and to accelerate a just transition for a green revolution by living sustainably.
Patrick Costello (he/him)
Patrick lives in Fairfax and has been a 350Marin steering committee member since 2017. He leads the “Financing a Green Climate Future” campaign which helps community members move away from banks that lend to the fossil fuel industry, learn about low-carbon investment strategies, and explore alternative economic and banking models. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and the founder of Green River Sustainable Financial Services, serving individuals who wish to lower the carbon footprint of their investments. He is also the author of “Low-Carbon Investing: Defending the Climate/Emphasizing Performance,” published in 2018.
Julia Janeway
Bella Bertaud (she/her)
Bella graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development complemented by a minor in Environmental Systems & Society and a concentration in Professional Writing. By understanding the interconnected social, environmental, and economic issues relevant to the climate crisis, Bella recognizes that this crisis is inherently intersectional. Her academic background and prior experience interning at nonprofits have motivated her to take action toward sustainable development within local communities, leading her to start volunteering with 350 Marin. She became a member of the steering committee in Spring of 2024, and is excited to continue working with 350 Marin to help enable a just energy transition in her own community and beyond.
Honorary Steering Committee Members
Barbara Rothkrug
350Marin was founded in my living room in the spring of 2013. Currently, I’m working on social justice issues in Marin City, including promoting Marin City’s Climate Resilience Team. I’m also the co-chair of church and society at First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo. I recently gave a Sunday seminar there on California climate legislation based on my recent experience with the End Fossil Fuels Action Team at 350 Bay Area.
Richard Gray
I grew up in England and moved to California when I was 17, receiving my BA and MS at San Francisco State. I worked briefly as a Juvenile Probation Officer, then as a watercolor and ceramic artist, and landscape contractor. I remain a landscape designer. Through my work life I was also a community organizer and Board member for Marin conservation groups, including my local Planning Group, MCL, Slide Ranch and MoveOn. For nine years I focused on climate, proudly serving on the 350BayArea and 350Marin Steering Committees before retiring in 2022.
Zeinab Benchakroun
My name is Zeinab Benchakroun, I’m from Morocco. After 20 years working as a software engineer, I went back to college to re-orient my career towards the climate crisis. At College of Marin, I met 350Marin who were very supportive of all my “artivist” projects. After my internship, I was invited to be part of the Steering Committee. In addition to their dedication to climate activism, to their knowledge of divestment and environmental policies, I found in 350Marin friends for life.
Our Mission
350Marin is made up of grassroots activists who are deeply concerned about climate breakdown. Regionally, we’re affiliated with 350BayArea, which is working to achieve a significant decrease in all heat-trapping gases both locally and statewide. Globally, we’re part of the 350 movement that’s continuing to grow in 188 countries around the world. We are committed to holding our leaders and communities accountable to the realities of science and the principles of social justice. We hope you’ll join us.
To end our dependence on fossil fuel, 350Marin:
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- Participates in climate breakdown campaigns with regional, state, national and international coalitions.
- Uses multiple techniques of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience pioneered by Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
- Supports and encourages activism through artistic expression.
- Always respects, learns from, and supports each other
- We also network with other non-profit, environmental and social justice organizations in Marin working for positive change.
What We’re A Part Of
350 Bay Area is our regional umbrella organization, which provides federal non-profit status, as well as logistical and organizational support to local Bay Area 350 groups including 350Marin, 350 Sonoma, 350 San Francisco, and 350 East Bay. As well, 350 Bay Area has regional campaigns that local 350 groups support on a group-by-group basis.
Visit their website →
350 Bay Area Action endorses and helps elect climate champions, lobbies elected officials to fight for bold climate solutions, and works to ensure that climate justice is at the top of the political agenda.
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350 believes in a safe climate and a better future — a prosperous and equitable world built with the power of ordinary people, driven by renewable energy and rooted in justice.
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The Science of 350
Okay. 350 is an easy name to remember. But what does it mean? Scientists around the world are in almost unanimous* agreement: 350 parts per million (350 ppm) of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is the maximum safe limit to maintain life on Earth as we know (and love) it.
The bad news? We’re currently at 422 ppm. And rising.
The good news? We’re part of a global grassroots movement working in multiple ways in multiple countries to bring us (all of us) back from the brink and back on track.
The best news? We’re starting to make a difference. And you can join us.
* 97%. That’s getting pretty close.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead (American cultural anthropologist)