Climate Action Now Monthly Gathering
Monday, August 22
7-8:30 PM
via Zoom Register in advance here
With the window of time to address the climate emergency narrowing, we will focus on what we can do in the places we live, how we can collaborate across cities and towns, and how we can maximize the power of local efforts.
The three areas we will explore include:
1) How we can maximize the effectiveness of city/town climate initiatives via a climate crisis director; insights drawn from a statewide roundtable organized by The Northampton Climate Emergency Coalition
2) Clearcutting our forests for solar is not a clean energy solution; updates from Smart Solar Shutesbury/Amherst
3) A path to require fossil fuel-free buildings in municipalities via Home Rule Petitions
After brief presentations we will roll up our sleeves and connect in breakout groups. Everyone will be invited to choose a breakout group focusing on one of these initiatives and explore how we can work together to take action.
Action alert from Save Massachusetts Forests & RESTORE: The North Woods
Save Massachusetts Forests from logging on public land
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) regularly cuts trees for logging on public lands. Check out their plans for 2022 here. Many of you have supported bills to stop this practice (H.912 and H.1002). While we are disappointed that the legislature did not take action on them, we now can speak directly to DCR during their 10 year review of how our state parks and forests are managed.
Let’s call on DCR to protect public land, including the watersheds, by designating them as either “parks” or "reserves" where land management is similar to our National Parks.
Photo: Rene Theberge
Action alert! Eversource proposes massive tree cutting along transmission power lines!
Eversource wants to cut all trees within 100 feet of transmission power lines running from the Northfield Substation, through the towns of Erving, Wendell, Montague, Leverett, Shutesbury, Pelham, Belchertown, Amherst and Granby, to the Ludlow Substation in Ludlow, crossing two Environmental Justice communities: Wendell and Amherst.
Eversource has filed with MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office) in order to move forward with its plan to cut over 370 acres of trees along the transmission power line corridor.
Take action by sending a comment to MEPA! Go HEREfor an action guide which will give you all the info you need. Please share with family and friends.
The original MEPA comment deadline was set for Monday August 22nd. We have heard that an extension to that deadline is being negotiated. Watch for updates!
Liberty Mutual, Do Not Insure Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline!
Social media action starts on Monday, August 22!
The Stop Insuring TMX coalition has been pressuring the insurers of the Trans Mountain tar sands oil pipeline network to rule out support for the expansion project, because without adequate insurance coverage, oil cannot flow through the pipeline. Our prime target right now is Liberty Mutual, which has zero restrictions on insuring tar sands oil and has refused to rule out insuring the project for years, unlike 18 other companies. (Chubb dropped last year!)
Trans Mountain’s annual insurance policy expires on Wednesday, August 31, which means that Liberty has less than two weeks to make its decision to renew or cut ties. Liberty is highly sensitive to their brand image; hundreds or thousands of photos on social media will definitely get their attention. Will you join us?
Location: Hitchcock Center for the Environment Directions Date: August 27 from 1:30-5:30 Rain Date: August 28
Photo: Rene Theberge
Elders Climate Action
Deep Dialogue Mass Conversation Series
Special Guest - Sen. Michael Barrett
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
4-5:30 PM Zoom link
Please send your questions for Senator Barrett ahead of the meeting to Arnold.Epstein@comcast.net.
Photo: Rene Theberge
A Battle for Your Mind
Russ Vernon-Jones
love, justice, and climate change … I know you can make a difference.
Why are some people moved to take action as they learn about climate change and some are not? One key variable is whether you believe you might be able to make a difference, and whether or not you see yourself as significant, or potentially significant. If you believe you can make some difference you are much more likely to take action. Read more here
The Climate Action Now media team is supporting a collaborative Instagram page called the Western Mass Climate Hub (@western.mass.climate).
Climate Action Now is a people powered, grassroots Western Mass organization dedicated to building a powerful, unstoppable climate movement. We work in our communities and in collaboration with diverse partners across the region to educate, advocate, and mobilize for climate justice. Climate Action Now is affiliated with 350.org.
Check outour website and join us at our monthly gatherings (4th Mondays of every month except December) to see how you can get involved in our many projects and campaigns. The Climate Action Now Steering Committee includes a representative from each working group and campaign. Climate Action Now warmly welcomes newcomers.
Let's work together to create an inclusive climate justice movement!
Please send feedback, comments, and suggestions to: Susan ThebergeNewsletter Editor
