On October 5th, 2024, the people of Tacoma gathered at the Urban Grace event hall to confront the climate catastrophe head-on. This wasn’t just another event – it marked the latest chapter in a long history of concern, conversation, and grassroots action, now taking on new urgency. Over 200 people filled the room, but it wasn’t about the numbers. Each attendee carried stories, struggles, and hopes into that space, creating a sense of unity and community empowerment.
The event started when Marshall Stafford (Standing Rock) opened with a Lakota description of Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all life, and followed with the Fire Song, calling attention to a world that is on fire. Next, Benita Moore (Standing Rock and co-founder/chair of Native Daily Network) delivered a powerful statement on the climate catastrophe, officially launching the ccg0 campaign. As Benita spoke, members of the community stood behind her, sharing their reasons why Tacoma is in climate catastrophe—demonstrating the strength of a community united in purpose.
For Tacoma – a city shaped by industrial scars and environmental injustice – the launch of Climate Catastrophe Ground Zero (ccg0) symbolized a crucial turning point. This wasn’t about talking; it was about laying the foundations and creating the relationships that help us organize, build, and prepare for action, with a two-year plan to transform Tacoma. Neighbors, advocates, elders, and community leaders came together to take that bold step forward, readying themselves to “leave our city better than we found it,” as the campaign’s byline reads.
The Power of the Coalition: United by a Common Threat
Climate Catastrophe Ground Zero (ccg0) is guided by the Lakota understanding of Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, meaning “we are all related.” This concept speaks not only to the interconnectedness of all things, living or otherwise, on our planet and in the universe but also to our relationships with each other as human beings. It reminds us that the health of the land, water, and air is inseparable from the health of our communities. This principle binds the diverse efforts of the coalition into one collective movement around a shared threat: the climate catastrophe.
In a city where many groups are already tackling systemic issues, Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ serves as the foundation for this united front. It reflects the interconnectedness of all life and the shared responsibility to protect our Earth, our common home. With a growing coalition of over 20 organizations and increasing by the day, ccg0 brings together a broad range of expertise and work—from housing advocacy and behavioral health to environmental justice and community action. Each group brings its strengths, contributing to the collective effort, whether through tree planting, community cleanups, educating neighbors, policy advocacy, or direct action.
Though the missions of these groups may differ, they are now intertwined by the fight against climate change. Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ unites these efforts around the necessity of restoring balance and safeguarding the future for all, recognizing that our relationship with the planet is as critical as the relationships we build within our communities. The coalition is designed for each group to participate in ways that align with their missions, ensuring that every contribution is strong but without pressure or expectation. Each organization retains full agency in deciding how they want to contribute and how much involvement they wish to have.
Tacoma: Ground Zero for a Climate Catastrophe
Tacoma stands at the heart of a climate crisis where the impacts of decades of industrial development, pollution, and environmental neglect are already painfully clear. The scars of industrialization are most deeply felt by Indigenous, Black, and disadvantaged communities, who have long been the frontline of environmental injustice. In South Tacoma, residents face a 25-year lower life expectancy compared to those in other parts of the city, largely due to environmental health risks caused by pollution, lack of green spaces, and industrial zoning. For these communities, the climate crisis isn’t an abstract future threat – it’s a current reality with devastating consequences.
At the ccg0 launch, Dakota, a member of the Puyallup Tribe and a Water Warrior, spoke about the destruction of Indigenous food sources like the Salmon. Warmer waters have left the salmon softer, riddled with sores and disease, signaling the disruption of the delicate ecosystems the Puyallup people have always understood as sacred. The port, once a sprawling estuary of natural abundance, is now a hub of industrial activity, home to several superfund sites, including the Occidental Chemical site, where toxic waste has plagued the area for decades. This ongoing pollution disproportionately impacts communities near the port, which includes the Puyallup Tribe and displaced people housed in the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC). The petrochemical tanks and fracked gas facilities along the waterline pose constant threats from both air and water contamination as well as the looming risk of an industrial disaster.
Meanwhile, the city’s planning department has approved projects like the mega warehouse over the South Tacoma aquifer recharge area—an area flagged as dangerous for development decades ago. This decision threatens the aquifer, a crucial water source, further highlighting how economic interests have often been placed above environmental safety. As Megan from Indivisible Tacoma pointed out, Tacoma also suffers from the lowest tree canopy in the state, exacerbating the urban heat island effect and worsening health conditions, such as asthma and respiratory illnesses. This lack of green space only adds to the environmental burden.
Noted local activist Kathy Lawhon expressed the anger of the community, calling out the “corporate fascism” that has fueled this crisis—industries profiting from the exploitation of land and labor, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
This environmental devastation is mirrored by the social crisis, as Tacoma’s growing houseless population finds itself on the frontlines of climate change. With limited access to shelter, they are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including heat waves and wildfire smoke. The ongoing industrial expansion, including the construction of mega warehouse, further jeopardizes public health and safety.
As Megan from Indivisible Tacoma pointed out, Tacoma also suffers from the lowest tree canopy in the state, exacerbating the urban heat island effect and worsening health conditions, such as asthma and respiratory illnesses. This lack of green space only adds to the environmental burden.
Sean Arent from Tacoma DSA spoke of the growing concern over water shortages. Seasonal creeks, once reliable sources of fresh water, are drying up as developers continue to control access to water for profit, leaving communities vulnerable. The ongoing manipulation of resources for profit is eroding the delicate balance that once kept this region in harmony
Carol Kindt underscored why so many people are engaging in this work: “People are here because they don’t have a choice.” she said, “Particularly those with children.” Marz, who is from PLU GREAN club and 350 Tacoma, spoke for the youth and disabled communities, adding: “We’ve been handed a world that’s the result of other people’s mistakes, and now it’s more hostile to our bodies and minds than ever.”
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ – the principle that all things are connected – runs through all of this. The destruction of the salmon, the contamination of water, and the pollution of the air aren’t isolated incidents, and the mistreatment of each other. They are all interconnected symptoms of a deeper imbalance. As Unci Maka, our Grandmother Earth, suffers, so do we.
The Puyallup Tribe: Guardians of the Land for Time Immemorial
For over 170 years, the Puyallup Tribe has been locked in a battle to protect their lands and waters from industrial expansion. Long before the rise of industry, Tacoma and its surrounding region were a paradise, carefully sustained by the Puyallup people, whose relationship with the land stretches back to time immemorial. Their care of the land wasn’t just stewardship – it was a way of living in perfect harmony with nature, guided by ancestral knowledge passed down through generations.
Even today, despite the damage inflicted by industrial pollution, that intact ancestral knowledge remains a vital tool for the work ahead. It teaches how to heal the land, restore balance, and live in harmony with Unci Maka, our Grandmother Earth. As Tacoma faces an uncertain future, it is this deep understanding of the land that offers a path forward
The Tacoma Community Tree: Growing One Leaf at a Time
One of the most powerful aspects of the ccg0 launch was the interactive community art project, led by local artist Saiyare Refaei. The project, which will continue to grow over the next two years, is a living tree, with each leaf added by community members to symbolize their contribution to this movement.
As Saiyare explained, “Half of the tree is a native Garry Oak and the other half an olive tree, representing the Lakota saying, ‘Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ,’ meaning ‘We are all related.’” Attendees wrote their visions of the future on leaves, feathers, olives, and other symbols, which were added to the tree as part of a collective effort to build something lasting. The tree will be hosted at 350 Tacoma on Puyallup Avenue for the next two years, with limitless opportunities for the community to contribute to its growth.
What Comes Next: Action Beyond the Launch
The launch of ccg0 was just the beginning. In the coming weeks, the coalition is taking the fight forward. On October 20th, we’ll reconnect with the land during a field trip to Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, deepening our understanding of the ecosystems we are working to protect.
Then, on October 22nd, ccg0 will take the fight directly to Tacoma City Hall with the Rock of Burden action. Five papier-mâché boulders will be carried, each bearing the written burdens of five different communities in Tacoma. These boulders, symbolic of the physical ones placed to displace our houseless neighbors, will be presented to the City Council. They represent the struggles of housing insecurity, environmental racism, and industrial pollution. This action is a demand for acknowledgment and a call for change.
On October 28th, the Water Warriors are hosting a fundraiser to support their mission of using culture to heal at-risk youth. The funds raised will help them purchase a canoe, an important tool as they carry forward their work, transforming these young people into assets for their community and their people.
On November 9th, ccg0 will host a Speaking Truth to Power Workshop at 350 Tacoma, where attendees will practice speaking to decision-makers, with a focus on refining their messages and receiving feedback.
Moving Forward: A Vision for the Future
The October 5th launch of ccg0 was just the beginning. Tacoma is ground zero – not only in the climate crisis but also in the fight for climate justice. As the coalition grows, we will continue to build momentum through community engagement, education, and direct action. Our strength comes from our shared commitment to Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ and the belief that by healing the Earth, we heal ourselves.
The entire program was designed and written by Native Daily Network, with a vision to inspire other cities to create their own ccg0 coalitions. We hope this movement will spark further efforts across the world, as we strive toward the dream of coming together—as tribal elder Rob Satiacum put it – in a “global human necklace” to protect clean water and life itself.
Congratulations, Tacoma!
To everyone who joined us, participated, and made this event possible – wopila, thank you. Your presence and commitment mean more than words can express. This campaign is not just an initiative; it is the manifestation of our gratitude – our ongoing wopila to you, the community, and Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth). Together, we are embarking on a journey to confront the climate crisis and take meaningful action. Our work is driven by this gratitude, knowing that through ccg0, we have begun a path forward that will heal both the land and the people. A special shout out to Stacy Oaks at 350 Tacoma for believing in this from the start and for Gemini (Osage) from Climate Alliance of the South Sound for diving right in and helping our community make this a reality and all of the volunteers! – Gallery thanks to Fletcher at Cass, and Saiyare
