climate action alerts

A regional resource for Cape & Islands climate activists June 25, 2020

Dear Reader, We hope this email finds you and yours safe and well in these unprecedented times, and are writing to advise you of upcoming changes in our newsletter content and formats. Moving forward, the Climate Action Alerts e-news will become a semi-monthly publication hyper-focused on opportunities for political action to support legislation, policies, programs and people that advance a green, clean, just and equitable energy future for the region, nation and planet. Today's newsletter is representative of this new format. Click here to subscribe to these activism-focused emails. Our longer newsletter — which will be known as The Climate Connector and issued on a monthly basis — will continue to offer broad content that serves our diverse audiences of environmentalists, educators, businesspeople, scientists, elected officials, public policy makers, civic leaders and activists. We hope you enjoy our new e-news formats. Sincerely, Fran Schofield, Editor

ACT NOW

Help Advance the 2050 Road Map Bill A coalition of eighteen climate and environmental organizations has asked House leadership to advance the 2050 Roadmap bill ( H.3983 ) , which c ommits the state to net zero emissions by 2050, requires more robust climate data reporting, and forces "purposeful inclusion" of environmental justice communities   into emissions reductions policymaking. This bill is currently the only major climate bill before the powerful House Ways & Means Committee, and needs your support. Act Now Send this Environmental League of Massachusetts letter to your House representative. Ask to meet with your House representative to discuss your concerns. Find your legislator here.

Take 2 Minutes to Save Democracy & the Climate! Did you know that Massachusetts legislators can vote on climate (or any) bill in committee, but without transparency? We want to know how our elected officials are voting! Pease help get these referendum questions on the ballot in November: Make committee votes transparent; Advance 100% renewable energy. Act Now Please e-sign both e-ballot questions today! All e-signatures must be in by July 1.

Moving Offshore Wind Forward This is a critical time for the future of off-shore wind. Beginning Friday, June 26, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will conduct five live, virtual public meetings where the public can ask questions and weigh in on the necessity of approving offshore wind projects on our coastline. At least 18 offshore wind projects in the Northeast will be impacted by the decision that comes out of this public comment process. Please tell BOEM why offshore wind is so important to you-- as a Cape Codder, parent, scientist, engineer, business person, faith community member, or young person who deserves a safe planet. Remind them that wind is our region's greatest energy asset, and represents great economic opportunity here on Cape Cod. The alternative? More dirty fossil fuel plants and pipelines in black and brown communities. BOEM needs to hear from hundreds of us! Don't allow vocal naysayers to overwhelm the conversation. Act Now Send your comments to BOEM before July 27. Sign up for one of 5 Virtual Meetings between June 26 and July 9 to make oral comments. Source: 350CapeCod; photo credit: Deepwater Wind's Block Island

The Vineyard Wind Perspective The BOEM report covers two topics; Vineyard Wind 1 project; and BOEM’s cumulative impact analysis of building 22,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy from North Carolina to Maine in the next 10 years. What has changed since last year? Vineyard Wind 1 will feature large 1+-mile spacing between turbines, the largest space between turbines of any wind development currently operating on the globe, to allow for safe navigation and fishing within the wind farm. Read more. BOEM is considering requiring additional 2-to-4-mile wide transit lanes within wind farms – these reduce renewable energy potential and are unnecessary.  Read the U.S. Coast Guard response. Vineyard Wind 1 has been reviewed extensively by federal, state, and local regulators and experts.  Thousands of jobs will be supported by offshore wind including a diverse local supply chain.  View factsheets Download the BOEM report Watch short video

DID YOU KNOW?

DYK? Mass Clean Energy Center (MASS CEC) launches Clean Energy Lives Here campaign . Its goal is to educate Massachusetts residents about reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their homes. The campaign encourages individuals to pledge to replace their heating systems, appliances, and transportation with lower-emissions technologies over time.   Learn more here .

DYK? COVID-19 makes even stronger case for addressing climate change. The collision of a highly-contagious respiratory disease and debate over racial injustice has played a significant role in highlighting how communities historically left out of the environmental planning process are hurt by climate change and pollution. Learn more here .

Massachusetts Legislative Resources Find Your Massachusetts Legislator | Massachusetts Bills and Laws Tracker

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The Climate Action Alerts newsletter is edited and designed by Fran Schofield and reported by Susan Starkey . We'd love to hear your thoughts. Please share this action alert with your friends and suggest they subscribe here .

The Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to reach carbon neutrality — or net zero — on Cape Cod and the Islands of Massachusetts by enhancing communication, collaboration, and activism among organizations, programs, and individuals committed to mitigating the climate crisis.  All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

 CAPE COD CLIMATE CHANGE COLLABORATIVE capecodclimate.org 

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