Monthly Gathering Details: We alternate between Northampton and Amherst on the 4th MONDAY evening of each month from 7-9 pm (or til 8:30 if it’s a virtual gathering). All are welcome!
- Northampton gatherings will take place at First Churches on 129 Main St. (enter side door)
- Amherst gatherings take place at the Unitarian Meetinghouse on N. Pleasant St (downtown).
2020 upcoming dates for our monthly gathering (4th Monday of the month from 7 pm – 9 pm) Note: We’ve been have wonderful virtual gatherings via ZOOM during the time of COVID closure. Look out for zoom registration details before the next meeting in our newsletter or on facebook.
May 25 in Amherst * June 22 in Northampton * July 27 in Amherst * August 24 in Northampton * September 28 in Amherst * October 26 in Northampton * November 23 in Amherst * December 28 in Northampton
Working group meetings take place at other times in the month. Check out nofrackedgasinmass.com for regional pipeline events. / EnviroShow on Valley Free Radio every Tues from 6-7 pm.
Climate Emergency and Nuclear War: What are the connections?
YouTube - Livestream
Engaged experts speak on connections between the climate emergency and nuclear war and what we can do in response.
*This event was previously scheduled for April 2nd but has been postponed to August 20th. It will be live-streamed through YouTube.*
Registration is required (if you can not attend the live event, please register and you will be sent a recording):
www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-emergency-and-nuclear-war-what-are-the-connections-tickets-114316912964
Featuring:
Ira Helfand, MD, Member International Steering Group, ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), the recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, co-President of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, co-founder and Past President, Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Marty Nathan, MD, Family physician at Brightwood Health Center, Springfield, Co-founder of Climate Action Now and Springfield Climate Justice Coalition
Michael Klare, PhD, Senior Visiting Fellow, Arms Control Association, Washington, D.C. Professor Emeritus, Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies
Laura Reed, PhD, Professor, University of Massachusetts—researching and organizing on the threat of weapons of mass destruction and disarmament
The event will be moderated by Mehlaqa Samdani, the executive director of Critical Connections, which she founded in 2013. She also serves as a peacebuilding associate at the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding, where she is implementing a project to address sectarian violence in Pakistan.
Why this conversation?
Climate change and the continued existence of nuclear weapons represent two of the most pressing and existential threats to humanity and the planet. While each are grave threats in it of themselves, these two issues are also interlinked and require global processes to confront. How can social movements, nations and concerned citizens respond to these twin threats?
Sponsoring Organizations:
Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, Physicians for Social Responsibility/Pioneer Valley, Working Group to Prevent Nuclear War, Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership, The Resistance Center, American Friends of the Palestinian House of Friendship, Climate Action Now Western Mass, Earth Action, 2Degrees@GreenNeighbors.Earth, Haydenville Congregational Church, Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, Peace and Justice Team of First Churches of Northampton, Peace Development Fund.
PAST EVENTS
Praise the Dead: The role of dead trees and fire in forest
register here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsduCtpj0qHNFT4NxBoUr1l_-4DbKFfZDZ Map Climate Action Now ...
Climate Action Now and Save Massachusetts Forests present:
“Praise the Dead: The role of dead trees and fire in forest ecosystems": A talk with ecologist George Wuerthner
Tuesday July 28th from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m EST via Zoom.
Many of us have heard about the wildfires in the West. Why are they happening?
What about Massachusetts? Are we at risk for forest fires here? Why are controlled burns being done on our state lands? Are they beneficial or counterproductive? Are policy changes needed and if so, what should be considered?
George Wuerthner is an ecologist and has published 38 books, including Wildfire: A Century of Failed Forest Policy, Protecting the Wild: Parks and Wilderness Foundation for Conservation and Keeping the Wild: Against the Domestication of the Earth.
This is the fifth talk in our Forest Speaker Series: Talks about the critical importance of forests in the time of climate emergency.
Registration at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsduCtpj0qHNFT4NxBoUr1l_-4DbKFfZDZ
We will send a link to this talk to those who register and those on our lists. If you register you will also get a link to the recorded talk.
Please join us!
Save Massachusetts Forests
savemassforests.com
Climate Action Now
climateactionnowma.org
Videos of our previous talks are available under the Farms, Forests, Food Systems tab on the Climate Action Now website. (climateactionnowma.org/farms-forests-food/)
JULY Climate Action Now monthly gathering
Western Massachusetts
Monday, JULY 27 from 7-8:30 pm
via ZOOM
Climate Action Now Gathering
Monday, July 27
7-8:30 pm
via Zoom
Feel the warmth of community and the power of collective action as we move forward together at this critical moment in history
Find out what Climate Action Now Working Groups are doing and how you can get involved!
* Hear updates about organizing to stop the latest effort to build a toxic biomass plant in Springfield
* Share your ideas and connect with people in small group conversations
and much more
Register in advance for this meeting
Everyone is welcome-everyone is needed!
Please register in advance to get the zoom link
Hope to e-see you there!
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMldOqvqjguGtAfRkpbEKx4bEczi-IIb-xg%C2%A0
Feel the warmth of community and the strength of collective action as we move forward together at this critical moment in history.
All Welcome.
Florence Friday Weekly Standout: Defend Black Lives
Corner of Rt 66 & Florence Rd. Florence, MA Map Climate Action Now ...
Climate Action Now Invites You to Join a Weekly Standout
DEFEND BLACK LIVES
*Every Friday, *Weather permitting
4-5 pm
Corner of Rt 66 & Florence Rd
Florence
Wear a mask, bring a sign & spread out to maintain physical distance
We plan to stand out every Friday on this corner from 4-5 pm.
We know that the climate crisis will multiply any injustice, including racism.
Florence Friday Standout solidarity w/ Movement for Black Lives
Corner of Rt 66 & Florence Rd. Florence, MA Map Florence Friday ...
Florence Friday Standout solidarity w/ Movement for Black Lives:
* Defund police
* Invest in communities of Black people
* Trump must Resign
We plan to stand out every Friday on this corner from 4-5 pm.
We know that the climate crisis will multiply any injustice, including racism.
Florence Friday Standout solidarity w/ Movement for Black Lives
Corner of Rt 66 & Florence Rd. Florence, MA Map Florence Friday ...
Florence Friday Standout solidarity w/ Movement for Black Lives:
* Defund police
* Invest in communities of Black people
* Trump must Resign
We plan to stand out every Friday on this corner from 4-5 pm.
We know that the climate crisis will multiply any injustice, including racism.
June Climate Action Now monthly gathering
First Churches of Northampton, Massachusetts129 Main StNorthampton, MA01060 Map Monday, June 22 ...
Monday, June 22 from 7-9 pm
via ZOOM
Main Topic for this meeting:
How Will Climate Action Now Respond To The Call From Movement for Black Lives?
Everyone is welcome-everyone is needed!
Please register in advance to get the zoom link
Hope to e-see you there!
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpdu2trjwiEtXyOk-xBDl4mdar56ckvQwS
Feel the warmth of community and the strength of collective action as we move forward together at this critical moment in history.
All Welcome.
Climate Action Now Monthly Gathering
Monday, June 22 , 2019
7 to 8:30 PM
Forests and Brain Health: Emerging Research
Western Massachusetts
Via Zoom! Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m.
PROTECTING FORESTS #4:
A SERIES OF TALKS ABOUT THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS IN THE TIME OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Tuesday, June 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST
Forests and Brain Health: Emerging Research
Susan A. Masino, Ph.D. is the Vernon Roosa Professor of Applied Science at Trinity College and a recent Bullard Fellow in Forest Research at Harvard University. Her research focuses on links among metabolism, brain activity and behavior and she is dedicated to educational, environmental and public policy issues affecting brain health.
The link between forests and brain health is a public policy imperative: we face increasing costs for disorders ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to addiction, and forests offer exercise, mindfulness and stress reduction. We are still discovering new species, and forests are a former and a likely future source of new medicines. Research on cardiovascular, immune and neurological systems is expanding worldwide. In people of all ages a forest can increase kindness, altruism, and generosity by provoking awe - the sense of wonder you feel in the presence of something beyond your understanding. For these and many other reasons, natural forests should be protected and accessible to citizens across the state.
REGISTER at the following link with zoom for the talk
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcumtpzgtG9UEvMs3xv8y3ZY4qTZGwx6l%C2%A0
The talks are free, but registration is required.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation with a link to join the meeting. Please register if you can’t attend and want a link to the recorded talk. Do not share the link because it will only work for you.
climateactionnowma.org/farms-forests-food/
www.savemassforests.com/
Our co-sponsors
Arise for Social Justice; Concerned Citizens of Franklin County; Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, Climate Change Committee; The Enviro Show; Extinction Rebellion Western MA; Green Berkshires; The Hitchcock Center for the Environment; Keep the Woods; MA 350-Berkshire Node; Mothers Out Front Pioneer Valley; Partnership for Policy Integrity; Restore: The North Woods; Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, 1st Hampshire District; Springfield Climate Justice Coalition; Traprock Center for Peace & Justice; Wendell State Forest Alliance
----------------
Please join Climate Action Now and Save Massachusetts Forests on June 9 and June 16 for the 3rd and 4th talks in our series. Forests are vital in mitigating climate change, and restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems to protect biodiversity, provide clean air and water, and enhance human health.
We’re excited to present the latest forest science and policy from these experts!
There will be time for Q & A following each talk.
Paying to cut & burn forests: is this really what we want?
Western Massachusetts
Via Zoom! Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m.
PROTECTING FORESTS #3:
A SERIES OF TALKS ABOUT THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS IN THE TIME OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Tuesday, June 9th at 7:00 p.m. EST
Paying to cut and burn forests: is this really what we want for renewable energy?
Mary S. Booth, Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Partnership for Policy Integrity, directs PFPI’s science and advocacy work on greenhouse gases, air pollution, and forest impacts of biomass energy
Biomass energy is growing rapidly worldwide due to its inclusion in renewable energy programs that make it eligible for financial incentives, including in Massachusetts. However, despite being treated as “green” and carbon neutral, burning forest wood for energy actually emits more climate and air pollution per unit energy than most fossil fuels. And harvesting for biomass creates negative impacts on our forests.
REGISTER at the following link with zoom for the talk us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld--rqjwuEtKlkLT-fWlOG5CRKqlA3kqe
The talks are free, but registration is required.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation with a link to join the meeting. Please register if you can’t attend and want a link to the recorded talk. Do not share the link because it will only work for you.
climateactionnowma.org/farms-forests-food/
www.savemassforests.com/
Our co-sponsors
Arise for Social Justice; Concerned Citizens of Franklin County; Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, Climate Change Committee; The Enviro Show; Extinction Rebellion Western MA; Green Berkshires; The Hitchcock Center for the Environment; Keep the Woods; MA 350-Berkshire Node; Mothers Out Front Pioneer Valley; Partnership for Policy Integrity; Restore: The North Woods; Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, 1st Hampshire District; Springfield Climate Justice Coalition; Traprock Center for Peace & Justice; Wendell State Forest Alliance
----------------
Please join Climate Action Now and Save Massachusetts Forests on June 9 and June 16for the 3rd and 4th talks in our series. Forests are vital in mitigating climate change, and restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems to protect biodiversity, provide clean air and water, and enhance human health.
We’re excited to present the latest forest science and policy from these experts!
There will be time for Q & A following each talk.
CAN Kickoff: Ballot Initiatives for MA Climate Democracy
Join CAN's Legislative Group as we kickoff our participation in
the MA Climate Democracy campaign for 2 ballot initiatives!
Together, we will watch a well-done phone-banking training and discuss.
THE PROBLEM
State Representatives tell us they support
100% renewables, but then the bill dies in committee.
How did they actually vote? No one knows!
THE BALLOT MEASURES
1) Transparent voting so Reps know we can hold them accountable
2) 100% Renewables with a just transition
These will pass with broad support so we can push for broad reform. Then, bold climate action and other popular legislation
will have a fighting chance in the statehouse.
For more info on the effort, please see:
maclimatedemocracy.org/info/
Act on Mass and 350Mass is steering this campaign. Progressive Mass, CAN and other are also joining the effort.
Digital Day of Action for Climate
It's that time of year again! We're nearing the end of the 2019-2020 session and two of our priority climate bills are subject to a June 4th deadline. If they don't receive a positive vote in committee by the 4th, they will be considered ‘dead’ for the remainder of the session. The purpose of this day of action is to call/email/tweet at legislators and ask them to move these bills forward to the next step in the legislative process. We need urgent action on climate in Massachusetts! In particular, we still have two priority bills that still need a favorable report by June 4th from the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee:
- S.1958/H.2836 - An Act Re-powering Massachusetts with 100% Renewable Energy
- H.2810 - An Act to Promote Green Infrastructure and Reduce Carbon Emissions
Note: we are highlighting June 3rd as a day of action, but in reality June 3rd is just the LAST day to influence this process.
Sign-up to take action: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezFzxPUgD2savFa-CIEU_1zs29lu0t9Yui00VjCDS-VdRc3Q/viewform
Guide with email template, phone script, and sample tweets:
docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6pO5ZJwcbdWnH8vdjIZAxSkxlO5kIKKqAmxakYuitg/edit
We'll be following up on June 12th with an remote lobby day where we'll talk to legislators about environmental justice, reducing carbon pollution, and keeping people safe and healthy during the pandemic. Stay tuned for details!
About Mass Power Forward:
Mass Power Forward is a coalition of over 200 environmental leaders, community development organizations, clean energy businesses, faith groups, neighborhood health and safety advocates and Massachusetts families fighting for our future. We believe our state and region can power forward with healthy, clean, affordable, reliable energy and a thriving economy.