Local people are working to raise climate change awareness and promote clean energy innovations in Western Massachusetts. This column celebrates the groups engaged in this work and provides information on how to connect with efforts already underway. It also gives an overview of legislation pending at the State House about which you can voice an opinion to your state representative or senator. By connecting with other like-minded residents of Western Massachusetts, you will amplify your voice, find encouragement in difficult times, and be more hopeful about what we can accomplish together. Here are some ways to connect to other citizens concerned about climate change.
Climate Action Now is a grassroots organization that grew from the worldwide movement for climate justice. The Western Massachusetts chapter of Climate Action Now has over 2000 people receiving their online newsletter. Western Mass. CAN meets via Zoom each month. The group focuses their work on climate, justice, natural solutions, transitions to clean and renewable energy, and grassroots movement building. Discover more information about their outreach and activities by contacting this group at climateactionnowmass@gmail.com
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is an organization that supports a nonpartisan approach to raising climate awareness and taking climate action. CCL has more than 500 worldwide chapters with three chapters in Western Massachusetts. The group focuses on community-based communication with state and federal legislators. They support healthy forests, efficient electrification, carbon pricing, and clean energy permitting. You can read about their legislative successes and current actions by going to their website, https://citizensclimatelobby.org/about-ccl. To contact one of our Berkshire-based chapters email Pauline at pbanducci@gmail.com.
The Massachusetts chapter of Elders Climate Action mobilizes elders to address climate change while there is still time to protect the well-being of our grandchildren and future generations. Contact them at: info@ecamass.org. ECA is focused on several legislative priorities in Massachusetts. ECA supports state legislation concerned with:
- Buildings:
- decarbonization of new and existing buildings (S.2247, H.3565; S.2294, H. 3529 & S.2127, H.337)
- regulating gas systems (S.2249, H. 3539)
- other building legislation (S.2281; S.2231; & S.2286, H.3577)
- Budget & Funding
- Creating a climate bank in Massachusetts, S.786, H.3937)
- Climate Change Superfund (S.588, H.1014)
- Energy
- transitioning to clean energy (S.2290, H.3547)
- other energy legislation (S.2266, H3534; H.3559; H.3446, S2248; H.3543; H.3512; & H.3569
- Natural Solutions
- Municipal reforestation (S.553, H.1013)
- Watershed forest protection (H.952)
- Wildlife management areas protection (H.1048)
- Pollinators protection (S.587, H.1041)
- Effective drought management (S.586, H.1003)
- Plastics
- Plastic bag reduction (H.933, S. 590)
- Bottle bill (H.3464, S. 2245)
- Climate and Environmental Justice
- Outdoor air quality (H.2369, S. 1548)
- Indoor air quality (H.2427, S.2276)
- Educational Savings Accounts
- Fossil fuel free 529s (H.3206)
You may either contact ECA-MA or go to https://malegislature.gov for detailed information concerning these prioritized bills. Then contact your state legislators and register your support for the legislative actions you support.
The Climate Bank bill, S.786/H.3937, is a linch-pin funding bill for the clean energy transition in MA. It is a timely, relevant and well-vetted bill that deserves grassroots support. It is currently receiving committee hearings in the state legislature. If you wish to learn how to join others in advocating for this bill and/or receive updates from the Climate Bank Coalition you may contact John Meiklejohn at: jmiserve183@gmail.com.
Additionally, organizations such as Mass Audubon, https://www.massaudubon.org and the Massachusetts chapter of the Sierra Club, https://www.sierraclub.org/massachusetts, promote activities that address climate change issues. These groups have youth chapters that undertake educational programs and activities through which these young members develop leadership skills and conscientious attitudes about their environment. Those skills will serve them well as they become adults who will be aware of and actively working to improve their changing world in the future.
Environmental and climate advocacy groups are working in Western Massachusetts to counter the effects of climate change, educate the public about the need to take climate change seriously, support the legislation that will help us meet the state’s climate goals, and build a broad grassroots action network. I encourage you to contact these organizations or others you may come across to learn more about them and their work. Find one that appeals to you and join us in addressing one of the existential challenges of our time. It’s rewarding and meaningful work!
Susan Brown is a resident of Southwick, a member of a local climate change focused action group, Voices for Climate (V4C), and an adjunct faculty member of Bay Path University/Cambridge College.
