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Friends,
During hard times like these, governmental transparency can
slip through the cracks. But transparency is the key for true
progress, and we need to keep fighting for it. In the past, many of
our representatives have privately voted against environmentally
progressive legislation that would save lives and keep our communities
safe. We need public votes!
We're launching a ballot initiative campaign to push for greater
transparency. But there's a problem. The
Massachusetts legislature still expects us to collect petition
signatures by hand, despite the COVID-19 threat. Sign this online petition to support 350 Mass and Act
On Mass’s efforts to change petition gathering rules and increase
transparency now!
In solidarity,
Vignesh Ramachandran
Digital Organizer
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We're Hiring a Digital Organizer & Communications
Specialist
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 of 350 Mass in using communications and digital
tools for on-the-ground actions and in-person meetings as well as
decentralized statewide campaigns. Read how to apply here.
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Take an Online Training from 350.org
If you're
stuck at home and you want to take your climate activism to the next
level, try these online skill-ups from 350.org. Learn more about the
science of climate change, discover how to have effective climate
conversations, and find out how to run a grassroots campaign.
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Other 350 Mass News
We
Need Your Photos: Do you have any great pics or short videos
of 350 Mass rallies, meetings, and other activities? We're looking for
photos of our volunteers taking action, smiling, and having a great
time! Please upload them here.
Should the Public Buy Columbia Gas?: Eversource wants
to buy Columbia Gas. Check out this article by 350 Mass' Executive Director Craig Altemose
to find out more about this issue and learn why a government-owned
department might be the best option.
Stay in the Loop with Climate Courage: Because of the
pandemic, 350 Mass' direct action wing, Climate Courage, has had to
adjust their plans. Sign up here to stay in the loop about future
actions.
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 formed the MTA Climate Action
Network and are organizing members to become climate justice
activists! 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.
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.
Write a Letter to the Editor: There has never been a
better time to take part in 350 Mass' Letters to the Editor (LTE)
team. Want to join? Email Vignesh Ramachandran to find out more! Our
members have a great success rate in getting letters published! Here
are some recent letters:
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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. In addition to hearing thoughtful
presentations, participants will be able to sign up for discussion
facilitated by Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Native
facilitators to learn about how their faith tradition views
resilience! Register and indicate your preferences here.
Sun, Mar 29, 2-3:30 pm.
Intersectionality Panel: Food Security and Climate Change:
Join CREW to explore the intersection of
food insecurity and climate change. This will be a virtual event
hosted by Communities Responding to Extreme Weather via Zoom. RSVP here. Tue, Apr 7, 6:00-7:30 pm.
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Other Climate Movement News
Urge
FERC to Shut Down Construction of the Weymouth Compressor
Station: Despite the pandemic, construction of the Weymouth
Compressor Station continues, endangering the health of workers and
the community. Submit a comment to urge a shutdown.
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.
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Solidarity Opportunities
#GetMePPE: Healthcare workers need our help
right now to make sure they can do their jobs to protect us. They're
experiencing a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
#GetMePPE is a movement of healthcare workers demanding we get the
protection we need to protect ourselves and our patients.
Learn how to help.
Building Up People Not Prisons—Week of Action: COVID-19 is
already entering our prison system. Join a week of action to protect
our communities, including our incarcerated communities. Learn more and find out how to help.
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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About Better
Future Project and 350 Mass
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