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Friends,
Hello. I hope you're safe and well.
You'll notice some changes in this week's newsletter. Employees and
volunteers (like me) are working from home, and node meetings are
happening online. We'll also be hosting virtual meetups for
climate activists
to help folks cope with isolation—sign up here!
In times like this, I wish that climate change would take a vacation.
But it doesn't stop, and neither do we. We're committed to
help you keep taking action if you can. There's so much we
can do from the safety of our homes.
Here are some resources you might find useful:
We're
learning the true cost of government inaction, rejection of science,
and lack of concern for our communities. We must fight back
to protect what we love.
In solidarity,
Rosemary Mosco
Newsletter Volunteer
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Hiring a New Digital Organizer & Communications
Specialist
After almost two years with 350 Mass, I am transitioning out of my
role as 350 Mass Digital Organizer in April. Entering this position I
had hoped to integrate racial and economic justice into climate
organizing, and strongly believe that 350 Mass has shifted narrative
and organizing of the climate justice movement in Massachusetts.
350 Mass is looking for an experienced, strategic, and
collaborative individual to lead our communications and digital
organizing efforts. The Digital Organizer &
Communications Specialist will support the statewide volunteer network
350 Mass using communications and digital tools in service of both
on-the-ground actions and in-person meetings, as well as decentralized
statewide campaigns. Read how to apply here.
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Should the Public Buy Columbia Gas?
Eversource
wants to buy Columbia Gas. Should they? Read an article by 350 Mass' Executive Director Craig
Altemose:
"To the relief of many, Columbia Gas is going away. But the real
question before us is: what do we want to replace it with? Another
profit-maximizing corporation that views the people of the
Commonwealth as customers to wring value out of? Or a government-owned
department that, like the fire department, would symbolize the best of
public service and protect the safety and fair pay of workers, the
health of our communities, and the stability of our climate
system?"
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Other 350 Mass News
Calling All Teachers: Are you a member of a
350 Mass node and also a member of the Massachusetts Teachers
Association? A group of active and retired MTA members have formed the
MTA Climate Action Network and are organizing and mobilizing members
to become climate justice activists! If you're interested, email
Allston-Brighton node member (and MTA member) Justin Brown at [email protected].
Mass Power Forward Climate Justice Pledge: MPF is
advocating for the Climate Justice Pledge as a way to tell
Representatives to vote on amendments and bills that will address
climate issues in Spring/Summer 2020. Ask your legislators to commit
to this pledge to take action before it's too late. More information here. Now until Wed, Apr
1.
Transportation Working Group Meeting: The next
meeting is a call-in. All are welcome, but if you plan to call in,
please contact John MacDougall at [email protected].
TOMORROW, Wed, Mar 18, 7-8:30 p.m.
Sign Up for Actions Targeting Chase Bank: Chase Bank
is the top lender to the fossil fuel industry. Climate Courage, the
direct action wing of 350 Mass, is planning several upcoming actions
targeting various Chase Bank branches. Locations and details for each
date are being worked out, so sign up here to stay in the loop. Sat, Mar 21, and
Thu, Apr 23.
Ballot Initiative Kickoff Meeting: Do you want
bold climate legislation passed this session? 350 Mass is teaming up
with other progressive organizations to let the Massachusetts
Legislature know that we want climate laws now and we expect
transparency when voting. Join us to strategize on how to organize in
order to get our concerns turned into questions on the November
ballot. RSVP for the online meeting here. Sat, Apr
4, 11:30 am-3 pm.
Our Taxes, Our Future: Come to a peaceful climate
action on tax day. The federal government continues to give massive
subsidies and tax breaks to oil, natural gas, and coal corporations.
We're calling on Governor Baker and the federal administration to take
immediate action. Learn more on Facebook. Wed, Apr 15, 7:30 am-noon,
Internal Revenue Services, JFK Federal Building, 15 New Sudbury St,
Boston.
Write a Letter to the Editor: 350 Mass members write
lots of letters to the editor, many of which get published! Here are
some recent letters:
Want to join
the team? Email Vignesh Ramachandran to find out more!
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Other Better Future Project News
Online
Interfaith Summit on Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and How To
Respond: Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW)
invites you to a summit that brings together religious and spiritual
communities from Boston and the surrounding area to engage in a
discussion about climate change. Discover resources that will help us
prepare for extreme weather-related issues. RSVP here. Sun, Mar 29, 2-3:30
pm.
Host a Boston-area Divest Ed Fellow
Next Summer: Divest Ed, Better Future Project's national
campus divestment program, will be hosting an in-person Boston summer
fellowship for up to 15 student divestment leaders. If you live in the
Greater Boston Area and have a spare room in your home, please
consider hosting a fellow and fill out this form!
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Other Climate Movement News
Sign a
Petition to Protect Indigenous Sovereignty: Right now in
British Columbia, Canada, Indigenous Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs
and land defenders are resisting the construction of the TC Energy
Coastal GasLink pipeline slated to cut through their territories. Sign a petition to demand that Chase and KKR defund
the pipeline.
Support Clean Transportation: The Transportation and
Climate Initiative (TCI) is a collaboration of twelve states and D.C.
that would cap transportation emissions and place a fee on fuel
imports. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and raise much needed revenue to modernize the
transportation system. State leaders are soliciting feedback on the program and will decide
this spring if they will participate.
Rally at Liberty Mutual Headquarters: Join the
Rainforest Action Network, MassDivest Coalition, Mothers Out Front,
and Insure Our Future Coalition in Boston's Back Bay to pay Liberty
Mutual a visit! We'll be reminding them that the Boston-based
insurance giant must step up action to meet the urgency of the climate
crisis. Wed, Apr 8, 10-11 am, 175 Berkeley St, Boston.
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Solidarity Opportunities
Petition to Suspend Rent, Mortgage, and Utility
Payments During the Coronavirus Crisis: State and federal
officials are encouraging people who feel sick to stay home, but many
workers already struggle to make rent or mortgage payments. To protect
the health and housing security of our community, ask Governor Baker
to act now so workers won't have to make that choice. Learn more and sign here.
Raise Up Massachusetts: Our grassroots activists
flooded legislative inboxes and offices, and as a result, the House
released their transportation revenue package, ensuring:
- A
Tiered Corporate Minimum: large, profitable corporations will pay a
fair share of their taxes according to their size.
- Low- and middle-income families won't be paying a
disproportionate amount to invest.
- A
long-term commitment to the Fair Share Amendment.
Please contact your legislator to thank them for their
inclusion of a tiered corporate minimum, confirm their continued
support of the Fair Share Amendment, and continue advocating for a
fair and balanced revenue package.
Make Schools Safe from ICE: Reports from Boston Public
Schools are ending up in the hands of ICE, jeopardizing young people’s
futures. The Boston Teachers Union and the Student Immigration
Movement are taking action. Sign a petition to curb this information pipeline.
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helpful resource? Help us make it possible by donating today! |
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About Better
Future Project and 350 Mass
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