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Friends,
Addressing climate change is about taking care of people.
Right now, there's another issue that affects our community,
one that is intertwined with all our struggles.
Last week, the Trump administration moved to disestablish the Mashpee
Wampanoag reservation, attacking their autonomy and ability to govern
on their land. In this uncertain time, we must support the
Mashpee Wampanoag as they protect their land and reservation in
Mashpee. Here’s how you can help:
I recognize
that there are complex and contested histories of this land, but I
hope we can take this time to support Native
resistance to settler colonialism by learning more about the
Massachusett, Wampanoag, Nipmuck, and all Native communities in
Massachusetts.
In solidarity,
Vignesh Ramachandran
Digital Organizer
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Take Action to Extend the 2019-2020 Legislative Session
We understand
that our legislators’ attention has been fully absorbed with the
immediate medical and economic crisis and that our critical climate
legislation waits in the wings. As of today, we have 4 months left of
the 2019-2020 legislative session. But the legislature can and should
extend the session to deal with climate issues. Send an email to your
legislator so that our climate bills get the proper
consideration they deserve.
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Join our Ballot Initiative Kickoff Meeting
The winds of change are blowing through the Massachusetts
Legislature. Do you want bold climate legislation passed this
session? 350 Mass is teaming up with other progressive organizations
to let the legislature know that we want climate laws now and that we
expect transparency when voting. Join us for a
training on our ballot initiative efforts that will kick off at the
end of April. Zoom link here, Meeting ID: 813 524 968, dial-in: +1
646 876 9923 US. Sat, Apr 4, 4:30-6 pm.
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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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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.
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
Intersectionality Panel: Food Security and Climate
Change: Join Communities Responding to Extreme Weather
(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, 6-7:30 pm.
Resilience Hub Webinar for Houses of Worship:
Wondering how to ensure your faith community is prepared for
the climate crisis? Join Communities Responding to Extreme Weather
(CREW) for a quick webinar to learn how houses of worship and other
community anchor institutions can build climate resiliency into their
missions. RSVP here. Wed, Apr 15, 10 am-10:30 am.
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Other Climate Movement News
Calling All Liberty Mutual Policyholders:
Liberty Mutual is a huge backer of the tar sands sector,
which spells disaster for the climate and Indigenous rights.
The Stop the Money Pipeline campaign is demanding that Liberty Mutual
stop insuring tar sands pipelines. Are you a Liberty Mutual
policyholder? You have a unique platform to voice concerns. Sign up here.
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.
Weymouth Compressor Station Action: OSHA has issued a
letter to Enbridge after FRRACS' many complaints to FERC and to OSHA
regarding the continued construction during this time of pandemic.
Thanks to all of you for your persistence! It's time to send another
letter to FERC and OSHA to demand a shut down of construction. Learn more here.
Online Facilitation 101: This 350.org call will focus
on online facilitation tips and tools, as we need to find ways to
advance our work remotely. We’ll be sharing ideas and resources for
facilitating effective meetings (and a bit about virtual trainings
too) online. Register here. TOMORROW, Wed, Apr 1, 8
pm.
Forests, Farms, and Our Food—Virtual Panel on Sustainable
Agriculture: Hear a panel of local experts discuss the
changes we must make to stop water pollution, fight climate change,
and create healthy food. We'll discuss the role of individuals,
corporations, and policy change in shaping a better food system. See the Facebook event. Tue, Apr
7, 6:30-8 pm.
Sign a Petition Calling for a Moratorium on Construction of
Pipeline Projects and Export Facilities: Our nation’s leading
decisionmakers are charged with protecting all the people of our
nation, including the health, safety, and rights of future
generations. A moratorium on pipeline construction is needed to
protect us all. Sign here.
2050 Roadmap Public Meetings: The State's Executive
Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has been undertaking a
planning process to address climate change, but COVID-19 has disrupted
the planned meetings. Learn more, find audio recordings and slides
from past meetings, and submit feedback here.
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 12 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 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
Raise
Up Massachusetts: This coalition of community groups,
faith-based organizations, and labor unions called for immediate
passage of Emergency Paid Sick Time legislation in Massachusetts as
part of the government response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Read their statement here.
#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.
Support a Progressive Response to COVID-19: The
current crisis harms our public health, our economy, and our
democracy, compounding crises we were already facing, such as an
inequality crisis that touches all aspects of society. It's time for
our Legislature to act. Learn more and take action here.
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.
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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