350 Bay Area, the first local group to come under the global organization’s umbrella, began campaigning for a fossil fuel free future in 2012. Groups that were affiliated with 350 Bay Area but focused more locally soon sprang up, including 350 East Bay in 2014 and more recently 350 Bay Area Action.

In 2019, Jackie Garcia Mann, Lisa Jackson, and Marti Roach, Contra Costa County residents who had been working with 350 Bay Area and 350 East Bay, saw a need for a group with a deeper focus on our county’s issues, and 350 Contra Costa was born. In 2022, we formed 350 Contra Costa Action to work for change through legislation and electing responsive local public officials. At that point 350 Contra Costa became our educational and outreach sister organization. While our group is affiliated with 350 Bay Area Action and shares its mission, we choose and develop our campaigns independently.

As a county with four oil refineries, a number of oil wells, and a diverse population of 1.2 million people, including disadvantaged Black and brown communities, Contra Costa presents unique opportunities to work toward an end to fossil fuel dependence while fostering environmental justice.