Dear John,

Can You Help Us Collect Signatures for the Climate and Democratic Accountability?

I’m writing to ask you to get involved with an important and strategic initiative of 350 Mass: helping us collective ballot signatures for referendums of 100% renewable energy and transparency within the statehouse.

The History: We Need to Show Public Support For Climate Action and Legislative Accountability

This is part of a strategy our organization has been considering since the lackluster result of the 2017-2018 legislative session. A lot of us were outraged at the end of that session when after a campaign to increase the amount of renewable energy in our state by 3% per year until we reach 100% renewables in 2048 - a goal the State Senate embraced unanimously -  the State House voted to increase it by only 2% per year until 2030 and then decrease it to 1% per year, landing us at 100% renewables around 2095.

We felt that this outcome, the latest in a series of similar outcomes, reflected the need for reforms within the State House as well as the need to build power and public support for bold and equitable climate action. So over the past many months, a team of volunteers within 350 Mass worked to devise ballot questions that we could put to voters in key districts. Our Statewide Steering Team - our organization’s primary body for member leadership - approved this as a key tactic in our annual plan after thoughtful discourse, and we have engaged partners including pro-transparency organization Act on Mass and our climate allies in Mass Power Forward.

At the end of this process, we arrived at carefully crafted questions to send a powerful signal to our elected officials that 1) people in their district enthusiastically support a rapid and just transition to 100% renewable energy, and 2) that people in their district support transparency within the State House. 

How You Can Help: Make Calls!

We are asking you to join us in collecting signatures in key districts around the state between now and July 1st. This process will only work if we get this signature on enough key districts, and we need your help to do so, as collecting signatures has gotten harder amidst the pandemic. (But don’t worry, there are ways you can help from the comfort and safety of your own home!)

If we collect just 200 signatures per district for each of the questions, we can help channel the voice of the people and lift up the need for climate action and better governance in our Commonwealth.

Please join our efforts by signing up here: https://maclimatedemocracy.org/vol/

Sincerely,

Craig S. Altemose
Co-Founder and Senior Advisor, 350 Massachusetts
Executive Director, Better Future Project