Introducing MCAN's 2023 Legislative Priorities! Register to join the webinar Feb 8 at 5 PM

Introducing MCAN's 2023 Legislative Priorities! With the new legislative session well underway, we are excited to announce the Massachusetts Climate Action Network's 2023-2024 legislative priorities!  These priorities reflect legislative efforts that must be implemented for our state to advance a just fossil-fuel-free future for all. They include 15 bills that center around four critical areas of action: equitable building decarbonization; the reduction of embodied carbon in our buildings; equitable climate action in municipal utilities; and the advancement of energy and environmental justice. See MCAN's full list of legislative priorities here. Of our 15 legislative priorities, MCAN has identified four top priorities that are critical to building a healthy, resilient, equitable, green future for all. MCAN's Top Four Priorities HD.776/SD.500 - An Act Establishing a Zero Carbon Renovation Fund. Learn more here. HD.131/SD.151 - An Act Advancing Clean Energy, Equity, and Innovation within Municipal Utilities. Learn more here. HD.1033/SD.840 - An Act Incorporating Embodied Carbon into State Climate Policy. Learn more here. HD.4024/S.505 - An Act Relative to Energy Facilities Siting Improvement to Address Environmental Justice, Climate, and Public Health. Learn more here. Take action to support our legislative priorities by joining us tomorrow at 5:00 PM for MCAN's Valentine's Action for Critical Legislation. Find the details and RSVP using this link. While our Commonwealth has made critical progress to advance climate action, we know that we have a long way to go to meet our climate targets and equitably transition to clean energy.  Join us this legislative session in advancing our legislative priorities and working towards building a healthy, resilient, equitable, green future for all.  With Gratitude, Logan Malik Interim Executive Director Massachusetts Climate Action Network PS: Please consider donating to support MCAN's efforts to equitably decarbonize buildings across the Commonwealth and the communities served by municipal utilities.  You can donate here.  You can also send a check to MCAN: 1665 Commonwealth Ave, #9 Boston, MA 02135. All donations are tax-deductible.   Massachusetts Climate Action Network http://www.massclimateaction.org/ -=-=- Massachusetts Climate Action Network · 1665 Commonwealth Ave, #9, Boston, MA 02135, United States  -=-=- Created with NationBuilder, software for leaders.

A People's Hearing for A True Net-Zero Opt-In Building Code - Nov 15 at 9 AM (register for remote access)

Join the Mass Power Forward Coalition, the Massachusetts Climate Action Network, 350 Mass, Mass Sierra Club, ZeroCarbonMA, and other partners for a people's hearing to call for the next administration to take immediate action and make amendments to the specialized stretch code that will lower the cost of utility bills, reduce the health effects of burning fossil fuels in homes, combat the climate crisis, and support the creation of good paying jobs.

RSVP for the peoples' hearing on November 15th at 9:00 AM.  ->   bit.ly/APeoplesHearing 

A People's Hearing for A True Net-Zero Opt-In Building Code - Nov 15 at 9 AM (register for remote access)

Massachusetts Climate Action Network: Retrofits Without Displacement webinar available for replay (video)

Massachusetts Climate Action Network (@MassClimate) tweeted on Wed, Oct 26, 2022:

"In case you missed our Retrofits Without Displacement webinar you can now watch our event by using the link: https://t.co/d6cgAD1SrD

Ensuring #equity is critical to us. And we would like to thank our panelists for uplifting our values by sharing their knowledge and expertise."  https://t.co/Xtyjv6KtuU

Video link -> https://youtu.be/6ahUdW8KpqI

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassClimate/status/1585292733320728578

Massachusetts Climate Action Network: Retrofits Without Displacement webinar available for replay (video)

Take action to provide DOER your input on the proposed building stretch codes

Via the Massachusetts Climate Action Network

"Join us and voice your concerns about the Department of Energy Resources (DOER's) stretch energy building code  & demand that the code accelerate the construction of energy-efficient, all-electric buildings powered by renewable & clean energy. "

RSVP here: http://bit.ly/DOERDirectAction

In the Making Sense of Climate series, Ted McIntyre and I talk many times about the stretch codes and how that can help the overall approach to reducing green house gases. You can provide feedback to the DOER in these sessions, to help get the stretch codes to make a difference. You can find the series here -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html

Take action to provide DOER your input on the proposed building stretch codes

If you are not sure about stepping up to speak in the one of the sessions, MCAN also offers session on writing a letter to provide your input.

"MCAN and our partners will be hosting three workshops to build awareness, support, and confidence on making informed comments. Experts and highly informed advocates will be in attendance to answer any questions you have and provide further insight into the details of the most recent code. 

Join us for our Letter Writing Workshop on July 20th at 7:00 p.m. to learn and ask about DOER's proposed Stretch Code, the comment process, and set aside time for comment drafting. "

RSVP at: bit.ly/DOERLetterWriting

Letter Writing Workshops

Will the songbirds keep singing? (audio)

Via The Climate Minute:

"Hear an inspiring young activist describe why she cares about climate change and what she is doing about it."

Audio link -> https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/e/will-the-songbirds-keep-singing/

Ted McIntyre - Making Sense of Climate - Part 2 - 02/01/22 (audio)

FM #723 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 723 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Feb 1, 2022.  

We completed coverage of the 13 points of the MA legislation passed in 2021

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session 

The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Ted McIntyre Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-723-ted-mcintyre-making-sense-of-climate-part-2-02-01-22

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Climate related links

The 13 point article we talk to -> From WBUR -> “What you need to know about the new MASS Climate law” https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/03/26/new-mass-climate-law-faq

 

Boston Globe on Mass Save new 3 yr plan -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/01/science/with-new-mass-save-three-year-plan-massachusetts-sharpens-its-best-climate-fighting-tool/ 

 

Boston Globe on solar energy goals -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/23/science/after-months-delays-state-approves-doubling-solar-energy/

 

Mass Climate Action Network -> https://www.massclimateaction.org/recs

 

Link to Episode 1 on Making Sense of Climate -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/talking-with-ted-mcintyre-making-sense.html 

 

If you have a question to raise, you can use this form -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/ask-franklin-matters-you-ask-question.html 

 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

The transportation sector accounts for about 40% of Massachusetts' greenhouse gas emissions. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

The Climate Minute: Advice on how to lobby your elected representative (audio)

"Climate activist can take advantage of opportunities to speak with their elected officials.  Lobbying can seem intimidating. What is the best way to do it?  We talk to a legislator about what he hopes to hear from people who come to talk to him about pending legislation."

Ted McIntrye talks with State Representative Jeff Roy about this topic. The conversation runs about 14 minutes.

Audio link =>  https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/e/advice-on-how-to-lobby-your-elected-the-climate-minute/

 

The Climate Minute: Advice on how to lobby your elected representative (audio)

"This is a massive, societal undertaking"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"While traveling to Yellowstone National Park in a car during the summer of 2018, state Rep. Marjorie Decker and her family were escorted by pilot cars through active wildfires, the road illuminated by glowing flames. 

“It was 40 minutes of driving through thick smoke with (my two) grandmothers and the kids,” said Decker, D-Cambridge, as volunteer firefighters chopped down trees to allow drivers through. Some residents were evacuated, while others stayed put and went about their daily lives, taking detours around fires and limiting their time outside. 

While on the road, Decker said her family had to regularly monitor for smoke, air quality and location of the fires. 

“Boy, my anxiety was just right up there,” she said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191018/climate-change-proves-to-be-hot-topic-in-franklin

"This is a massive, societal undertaking"

Should MA lead or follow?

From the Mass Climate Action Network we share this episode of The Climate Minute

New Governor Charley Baker’s Executive Order 562 would substitute weak federal environmental standards for the existing superior state regulations here in Massachusetts. Based on overheated rhetoric claiming that state regulations are “confusing, unnecessary, inconsistent and redundant” the governor orders “each secretariat, agency, department, board, commission, authority or other body”… “to promptly undertake a review of each and every regulation” and retain only those which do “not exceed federal requirements.” 

The rule means that any Massachusetts environmental regulations stronger than their Federal counterparts will be dropped, and the weaker Federal ones will be used. Our state is a national leader in many areas, including the fight against carbon pollution and global warming. The regulations that embody that leadership are now at risk. If we rely on the Federal regulations, Massachusetts’ environmental policy will be set by the likes of Senator Ted Cruz. Think that is a good idea? There is more. Listen in.

Mass Climate Action Network

Gas pains in Massachusetts- The Climate Minute Podcast

In this week's edition of the Climate Minute podcast, they focus on what is happening in MA

The town of Wilmington rejects the pipeline. 

A couple of heavyweights opine that Governor Baker should focus on wind.It turns out that gas pipelines in Boston are really, really leaky! 

But a company wants to put yet another one in West Roxbury near a quarry. What could go wrong? Go to the rally on Sunday.

Mass Climate Action Network

You can listen to it here or click through to the MCAN page and listen there

Mass Climate Action Network: Selma and Science

New post on Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) Selma and Science by massclimateaction Back in January 1995, I read a great piece in the now-defunct Boston Phoenix about Martin Luther King Jr.'s April 1967 "Beyond Vietnam" speech, in which King strongly denounced the Vietnam War. The Phoenix piece noted that "Beyond Vietnam" was the most controversial speech of King's career; he was viciously denounced by many of his former supporters, who argued that his condemnation of the Vietnam War would alienate those who might otherwise support King on the issue of civil rights. (It reminds me of the criticism Naomi Klein received last year over her condemnation of the economic assumptions and attitudes that gave rise to the climate crisis.) Ted McIntyre and I discussed King's legacy and lessons for climate hawks at the conclusion of the January 15 MCAN Climate Minute. King's legacy has certainly been distorted and abused over the years; I remember a January 2004 piece by Wall Street Journal columnist James Taranto in which he asserted, "Would Dr. King really have favored leaving [Saddam Hussein] in power in Iraq? There's no way of answering that question, but [it] surely correct to say Dr. King believed in liberty and democracy--the very values for which America is fighting in Iraq." Based on his remarks about Vietnam, I doubt very much that Dr. King, had he lived, would have been a supporter of the Iraq War. However, I'm quite certain that King would have joined the 400,000 of us who marched in New York last year--and his concluding words in the "Beyond Vietnam" speech also apply to the climate crisis: We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. The "tide in the affairs of men" does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residue of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: "Too late." There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace...and justice throughout the developing world -- a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act we shall surely be dragged down the long dark and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter -- but beautiful -- struggle for a new world. This is the calling of the sons of God, and our brothers wait eagerly for our response. Shall we say the odds are too great? Shall we tell them the struggle is too hard? Will our message be that the forces of American life militate against their arrival as full men, and we send our deepest regrets? Or will there be another message, of longing, of hope, of solidarity with their yearnings, of commitment to their cause, whatever the cost? The choice is ours, and though we might prefer it otherwise we must choose in this crucial moment of human history... And if we will only make the right choice, we will be able to transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of peace. If we will make the right choice, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our world into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. If we will but make the right choice, we will be able to speed up the day, all over America and all over the world, when "justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream." massclimateaction | January 18, 2015 at 10:18 pm | Tags: Climate Minute, global warming, Global Warming Solutions Act, Selma | Categories: Climate Action | URL: http://wp.me/p14L3C-12v Comment    See all comments    Like Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN). Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/selma-and-science/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

Mass Climate Action Network

The good, the bad and the inspiring- The Climate Minute Podcast

New post on Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) The good, the bad and the inspiring- The Climate Minute Podcast by massclimateaction * Some media is not displayed in this email and must be viewed on the website. The news this week ranged from good to depressing, from new methane rules (good) to 400pm in the air (depressing.) We try to put it all in perspective. The administration proposes methane emissions regulations. Global CO2 levels are over 400ppm. US India climate talks are proceeding. Worcester will try time-based electical rates. Baker appoints an energy team. But is it a team of rivals? It has a gas-tax advocate (see here) and the Senate wants to work on the climate issues (see here .) Should we build and then tear down an Olympic Stadium? A report on future gas demand was released at the very end of the Patrick Administration. But the origin and use of fracking sand is very informative. Bernie Sanders proposed an amendment to the KXL approval bill. The move Selma should give Climate Hawks something to think about. A couple of years ago, joe Romm posted a blog think about Martin Luther King and climate activism. Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon. Thanks for listening. …Ted McIntyre massclimateaction | January 16, 2015 at 8:05 am | Tags: Boston Olympics, Climate Change, global warming, KXL, methane emissions, Selma | Categories: Climate Action | URL: http://wp.me/p14L3C-12q Comment    See all comments    Like Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/01/16/the-good-the-bad-and-the-inspiring-the-climate-minute-podcast/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

Mass Climate Action Network