Check out the latest news from the Massachusetts climate movement!
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Amazing news: The courts have approved electronic signature collection to bring our transparency and renewable energy questions to the November ballot! 

We know that there are many calls to action right now. We are supporting the movement for Black lives to defund police and invest in black communities. We are showing up to phone banks for Emergency Paid Sick Time with Raise Up Mass to protect frontline workers and public health. And we continue to advocate for equitable climate solutions in our cities and towns and at the state level. All the while, we're balancing variables like our time, energy, access, health, safety, other commitments, and relationships. It can feel like an impossible juggling act.

But we're not really jugglingwe're weaving together a diverse movement for justice that is building the power to win. Our ballot initiatives are part of this tapestry. We know BIPOC bear the brunt of pollution and climate impacts. And we know that many other bills get stuck in committee, including bills on immigrant rights, affordable housing, and other issues pushed by grassroots movements. While we are standing in broad solidarity on other initiatives, on the ballot campaign 350 Mass is in the position to lead and bring others along with us. 

Want to weave yourself into this movement? See below to find out how.

In solidarity,

Alan Palm
Director of Organizing

UNTIL JULY 1: Sign and Share our Petition for Ballot Questions!

We've noticed a frustrating trend. State Representatives tell us they support 100% renewables, but then the bill dies in committee. How did they actually vote? No one knows. We need:

  • 100% Renewables with a just transition
  • Transparent Voting so reps know we can hold them accountable!
We only have until July 1 to collect enough signatures to get two key questions on the ballot. Fortunately, we can do this electronically! Sign the petition at maclimatedemocracy.org and please share it. Any questions? Email [email protected].

Other 350 Mass News

COVID's Lessons on Climate—Listen to Science and Fight Racism: 350 Mass and Massachusetts Peace Action are cosponsoring an event with Better Future Project's Executive Director Craig Altemose. Hear him speak about how we ignore expert guidance at our peril, and how the racial justice dimensions of the pandemic shed light on the climate movement’s task to advance an explicitly anti-racist climate agenda. Register here. TOMORROW, Wed, Jun 23, 7-8 pm.

We're Hiring a Digital Organizer & Communications Specialist: Better Future Project is looking for an experienced, strategic, and collaborative individual to lead our digital organizing efforts. The Digital Organizer supports the statewide volunteer network 350 Mass using digital tools in service of both on-the-ground actions and in-person meetings, as well as decentralized statewide campaigns. Ready to join us? See the listing on our jobs page!


Course CorrectionJust Transition in the Age of COVID-19: The 350 Mass Solidarity Working Group is forming small-group discussions for each of the four sessions in Movement Generation's free virtual class Course Correction: Just Transition In The Age of Covid-19. This is a great chance to unite and explore preventative approaches to cultural, economic, and scientific complexities. Register for the discussion group here! July 6-Aug 17.

Sign a Petition to Build Back Better:  Support the 350 Mass North Shore and Greater Lowell nodes in their efforts to show their representatives that the people of Massachusetts demand action to address the climate crisis, reduce pollution, invest in infrastructure, and create good jobs. Sign here.

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 Alan Palm, Director of Organizing, to find out more! Our members have a great success rate in getting letters published!
Here are some recent letters:
Read 350 Mass member Debora Hoffman's letter in the Gloucester Times: Letter: Reckoning with the #antiObama
and Fred Hewett's letter in the Fitchburg Sentinel, "In Response to Bernard Weinstein and climate agendas

Other Climate Movement News

In city council meetings last night and earlier in June, Cambridge and Somerville became the first cities in Massachusetts to pass resolutions calling on insurance companies to stop insuring and investing in fossil fuels. (To view the full text of the resolutions, here is Somerville and Cambridge.) This comes on Heels of 38 MA Legislators Telling Liberty Mutual to Phase Out Insurance for the Keystone XL and Trans Mountain Pipeline and Other Fossil Fuel Infrastructure. For More information Contact:
Randi Mail, [email protected], 617-448-5652
Mary Sweeters, [email protected], 951-275-4676

Tell BlackRock To Divest from Fossil Fuels: BlackRock is the world's leading investor in fossil fuels. Send a postcard urging CEO Larry Fink to be true to his words and "transform finance" in the face of the climate crisis.

Urge Liberty Mutual to Stop Funding the Climate Crisis: Liberty Mutual is a huge backer of the tar sands sector, which spells disaster for the climate and Indigenous rights. Are you a Liberty Mutual policyholder? You have a unique platform to voice concerns. Sign up here.

Solidarity Opportunities

Ask Governor Baker for an Equitable Reopening Response: The Governor's reopening policies have shown disregard for the health of Black & Latinx residents, low-wage workers, and those hardest hit by #COVID19. #StopTheClock & act now to implement policies that value the lives of those most impacted! Learn more here.

M4BL Petition for an Equitable Recovery: The Movement for Black Lives and Black organizations from across the country are demanding a stop the spread and lasting harm of COVID-19 but also a recovery that benefits everyday people, not just big corporations. Sign the petition here.

Petition to Defund the Police & Fund Youth Jobs: Sign the Youth Justice & Power Union's petition to defund the police, invest in youth jobs, and reinvest in Black and Brown communities.
 

Is this newsletter a helpful resource? Help us make it possible by donating today! 

About Better Future Project and 350 Mass


Better Future Project (BFP) builds grassroots power to advance a rapid transition beyond fossil fuels. 350 Mass is Better Future Project's volunteer-led climate action network. 

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Questions? Email Alan Palm, [email protected]
Upcoming Node Meetings
All are welcome! Use the password 350ma.
 
Allston-Brighton
Mon, Jul 6, 6-8 pm
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Berkshires
Wed, Jul 15, 6-8 pm
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Boston
Tue, Jun 23, 7-8:30 pm
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Cambridge-Somerville
Tue, Jun 23, 6:30-8:30 pm (orientation for new members at 6 pm)
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Cape Cod
Thu, Jul 9, 7-8:30 pm
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Charles River
Wed, Jul 15, 7-8:30 pm
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Greater Franklin
Thu, Jul 2, 7-9 pm
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Lowell
Wed, Jun 24, 7-8:30 pm
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MetroNorth
Wed, Jun 24, noon-1:30 pm
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MetroWest
Thu, Jul 2, 6:45-8:30 pm
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Mystic
Wed, Jun 24, 7-8:30 pm
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Newton
Tue, Jul 21, 7-9 pm 
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North Shore
Tue, Jul 7, 6:30-8:30 pm
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South Coast
Tue, Jun 23, 7-8:30 pm
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South Shore
Tue, Jul 7, 7:30-9:30 pm
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Upper Charles
Mon, Jul 15, 7-8:30 pm
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Watertown
Sun, Jul 5, 4:15-6 pm
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