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Check out the latest news from the Massachusetts climate movement!
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Friends,

News of the Australian wildfires and their devastating impact on lives, homes, and wildlife is driving home the severity of climate change for all of us. We share the same atmosphere, and those deadly impacts on the other side of the world are intimately connected with our actions right here, right now.

Here's the good news. 2020 is the year we take bold collective action in Massachusetts. As I write this newsletter, hundreds of climate activists are advocating for bold, progressive climate policies in the State House AND supporting allies on the issues of rent control and stopping new fossil fuel infrastructure.

While politics seek to divide, our movements will unite. It's going to take all of us to build solutions that work for all of us. Are you with me?

In solidarity,
Vignesh Ramachandran
Digital Organizer


** Mass Power Forward Lobby Day: We Need Your Calls!
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Today, hundreds of members of the Mass Power Forward coalition are at Beacon Hill to demand that our legislators do everything they can to promote a clean energy future. If you couldn't be there, use this guide to call your reps and urge them to take the Mass Power Forward Climate Justice Pledge. ([link removed])


** Updates on the Weymouth Compressor Station
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New Video: Learn more about the Weymouth Compressor Station in a new video, Governor Baker's Toxic Legacy. ([link removed])

Toxic Site Inspection: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is letting Enbridge proceed with their dangerous compressor station plans. The People’s DEP, made of residents and allies, will be rallying to witness Enbridge’s continued violation. Learn more here. ([link removed]) Wed, Jan 15, 7-9 am, 352 Bridge St, Weymouth.

Strength in the Struggle—Renewing Spirits for the Work of Climate Justice: In cooperation with Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS), local faith leaders invite interfaith colleagues, members of faith and spiritual communities, and all people of good will to a public spiritual witness for climate justice. See the Facebook event. ([link removed]) Mon Jan 27, 10 am-12:30 pm, Quincy Point Congregational Church, 444 Washington St, Quincy.

Screen FRRACS' Documentary In Your 350 Mass Node: Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS) has made a documentary about their movement to stop Enbridge (here is the trailer ([link removed]) ). We want to screen the documentary far and wide across the state (our goal is a screening in EVERY community we're active in!). Sign up here if you’re interested in hosting a screening. ([link removed])


** Other 350 Mass News
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Transportation Working Group Meeting: The Transportation Working Group will meet next week with pizza in Cambridge. Our guest will be Jon Wishnie, Better Future Project's Climate Justice Partnerships Organizer. For more information, please email Jo ([link removed]) hn Macdougall (mailto:[email protected]) . Thu, Jan 23, 5:45-8 pm.

Greater Franklin Node Games and Brews Fundraiser: Start the new year off with tasty brews, friends, and climate action! We’re asking for a $25 suggested contribution at the door which gets you a free beer, snacks, and games. See the Facebook event. ([link removed]) Sun, Jan 26, 6-8 pm, CraftRoots Brewing, 4 Industrial Road, Milford.

Scaling Up Energy Democracy: How can we rapidly transition away from fossil fuel energy while increasing democratic control of the energy grid? Larry Rosenberg, an activist with Elders Climate Action and 350 Massachusetts, will talk about what we need to to make 100% renewable energy possible. See the Facebook event. ([link removed]) Wed, Jan 29, 7-8:30 pm, Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge.

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:
* WBUR Cognescenti: We are all Australians ([link removed])
* Cape Cod Times: Support a candidate who will take climate change seriously ([link removed])
* The Boston Globe: Yes to free bus service ([link removed])

Want to join the team? Email Vignesh Ramachandran (mailto:[email protected]) to find out more!


** Other Better Future Project News
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Calling All Librarians: Last September, Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) helped Massachusetts librarians offer over 90 programs as part of the annual Climate Preparedness Week. If your library participated in Climate Preparedness Week—or even if it didn’t—read here to find out more about how you can incorporate climate resilience programming into your library’s mission! ([link removed])

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! ([link removed])

Divest Ed is Hiring a Director: Better Future Project is looking for a Divest Ed director to start in 2020! We need someone with a vision for the student fossil fuel divestment movement, a passion for student and youth organizing, a commitment to climate justice, and experience working with young people and partnering with other movements. See here for the job listing. ([link removed])


** Other Climate Movement News
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TODAY—Forum on Massachusetts Climate Legislation: Hear State Representatives Sean Garballey and Dave Rogers present updates on House climate/environmental bills. Cabell Eames of Mass Power Forward will also be speaking. Discover how the legislative process works and learn more about what we can do to support and ensure the success of this legislation. Sponsored by the Arlington Democratic Town Committee. Tue, Jan 14, 7-8:30 pm, Community Room of the Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington.

Climate Change—A Course for Everyone: This free and open course is intended to promote climate change education, resilience, and action. We'll examine the basic science of climate change, its local and global impacts, and strategies for preventing its worst outcomes while preparing for those we can no longer avoid. Learn more here ([link removed] ) and see a live stream here. ([link removed]) Ongoing through Wed, April 8, 6-8 pm, Northeastern, 40 Leon St, Boston.

Community Meeting about the Effect of the Environmental Crisis on the Poor and Vulnerable: At this event hosted by the multifaith organization A Faith That Does Justice, speakers will discuss the health impact of climate change, the moral responsibilities of developed nations in providing for and protecting those impacted by climate change, and what we, as individuals, can do about it. Register for free here ([link removed]) or enjoy the live stream here. ([link removed]) Wed, Jan 15, 6:15-8 pm, Courtyard Boston Downtown Marriott, 275 Tremont St, Boston.

Visions of Justice Forum: Come to this second annual forum of speakers, visual arts, music, and conversation on social justice issues. This year’s program focuses on the disproportionate impact of environmental changes on marginalized communities. Speakers include Sonja Spears of Boston Health Care for the Homeless, Susan Church at Demissie & Church, and Craig Altemose of Better Future Project. Sat, Feb 8 (snow date Mar 7), 9:30 am-2:30 pm, Unitarian Universalist Area Church (UUAC), 11 Washington St, Sherborn.

Webinar—Affordable Housing as a Climate Solution: Are you interested in learning from experts about why sustainable housing is a key part of the climate solution? Join this webinar, the third of a four-part series hosted by MCAN, LISC, and the Smart Growth Alliance. Learn more and RSVP here. ([link removed]) Tue, Jan 28, 7-8 pm.


** Solidarity Opportunities
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TODAY—Action at Eversource meeting / Acción en reunion de Eversource: Eversource has called for an open community design meeting to discuss designs for the high voltage, high risk substation. Join GreenRoots in taking over the meeting with demands of a soccer field and sustainable diesel-free energy on the proposed location. See the Facebook event. ([link removed]) Tue, Jan 14, 5:30-7:30pm, East Boston High School, 86 White St, Boston.

Support the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda: There are five bills in the 2019-2021 legislative session that would benefit Indigenous Peoples. Learn more about the Massachusetts Indigenous Peoples Legislative Agenda here ([link removed]) and support it here. ([link removed])

Safe Communities Act Hearing: It's past time people in Massachusetts stand up and say loud and clear: Immigrants are welcome here. The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will hold a public hearing on the Safe Communities Act. You're free to testify, but even if you don't, you make an impact with your presence. RSVP here ([link removed]) and see the Facebook event. ([link removed]) Fri, Jan 24, 11 am, Gardner Auditorium, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston.

No War on Iran! U.S. Troops Out! Global Day of Protest: The Trump administration is dragging the United States into a war that could engulf the whole region and turn into a global conflict of unpredictable scope and the gravest consequences. It's time to demand clearly: no war on Iran and U.S. troops out of the Middle East! See the Facebook event. ([link removed]) Sat, Jan 25, 1-3 pm, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston.

It's Time for Corporations to Pay Their Fair Share! Ask if Your Legislator Agrees: Big business lobbyists are pushing legislators to pass regressive taxes and fees that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income people. Contact your legislator ([link removed]) by phone or email and voice your opposition to regressive revenue and voice your support for corporations paying their fair share.
Is this newsletter a helpful resource? Help us make it possible by donating ([link removed]) today!


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

We're on Facebook ([link removed]) and Twitter ([link removed]) . Did you receive this email from a friend? You can subscribe here. ([link removed])

Questions? Email Alan Palm, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Upcoming Node Meetings
All are welcome!

Allston-Brighton
Mon, Jan 27, 6-7:30 pm
Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center
123 Antwerp St, Allston

Berkshires
Wed, Jan 15, 6-8 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church
175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield

Boston
Tue, Jan 14, 7-8:30 pm
First Church in Jamaica Plain
6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain

Cambridge-Somerville
Tue, Jan 21, 6:30-8:30 pm (orientation for new members at 6 pm)
First Church Cambridge
11 Garden St, Cambridge
Cape Cod
Thu, Feb 13, 7-8:30 pm
Sturgis Library,
3090 Main St, Barnstable

Charles River
Wed, Jan 15, 7-8:30 pm
Westwood Public Library
660 High St, Westwood

Greater Franklin
Thu, Jan 16, 7-9 pm
First Universalist Society in Franklin
262 Chestnut St, Franklin

Lowell
Wed, Jan 22, 7-8:30 pm
Mill No. 5
250 Jackson St, Lowell

MetroNorth
Wed, Jan 22, noon-1:30 pm
Unitarian Church
478 Main St, Winchester

MetroWest
Tue, Feb 6, 7-9 pm
Peace Lutheran Church
107 Concord Rd, Weyland

Mystic
Wed, Jan 22, 7-8:30 pm
Medford High School, Rm V220
489 Winthrop St, Medford

Newton
Tue, Jan 21, 7-9 pm
First Unitarian Society in Newton
1326 Washington St, Newton

North Shore
Tue, Feb 4, 6:30-8:30 pm
Beverly Farms Library
24 Vine St, Beverly

South Coast
Tue, Jan 14, 7-8:30 pm
First Parish Church in Taunton
76 Church Green, Taunton

South Shore
Tue, Jan 21, 7:30-9 pm
Old Ship Church Parish House
107 Main St, Hingham

Upper Charles
Mon, Jan 27, 7-9 pm
Sherborn UU
11 Washington St, Sherborn

Watertown
Sun, Jan 19, 4:15-6 pm
The Residence at Watertown Square
20 Summer St, Watertown

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