A Livable Future: How Can Massachusetts Lead on Climate? (Register here!)

To our Democratic Town, City, and Ward Committee Chairs of Massachusetts and all parties interested in action on climate and justice:

The delegates who met at our state convention in September could not have been clearer:

A livable future is a human right. Given the increased speed and destruction witnessed in the last year, we must increase our sense of urgency and take action to prevent the worst effects of climate change.[i]

Right now the leaders of the world are gathering – for the 26th time! – to craft a response to the accelerating climate crisis, a crisis whose devastation we have already witnessed in every corner of the earth.

Sadly, we already know the outcome: our leaders will take some actions, but not enough. Instead of acting with unity and courage, they will continue to jockey for national advantage and ignore the deadlines and opportunities in front of us.

No wonder so many are outraged. As Greta Thunberg said last month:

[Our] words sound great but so far have not led to action. Our hopes and ambitions drown in their empty promises… Our leaders’ intentional lack of action is a betrayal of all present and future generations.[ii]

Let’s be blunt: she is also talking about us. Too many of us prefer to talk about what other people in other places should be doing. We can’t do that anymore. At our state convention, the delegates unanimously declared that right here in Massachusetts WE must act NOW.

Yes, we have taken some worthwhile steps. But we are not yet “leaders.” This state is actually decades behind the innovators and public officials in other countries who are truly building clean energy economies.

Our State House has been slow to pass the sweeping changes we need. To make matters worse, our governor has vetoed critical legislation. When his veto was overridden, he slowed the implementation of the law.

That’s why Call2Action, along with over thirty Democratic Town Committees and supporting organizations, invite you to join a virtual forum this November 14th at 7:00 on “A Livable Future: How Massachusetts Can Lead on Climate?” We’ll hear:

a word of welcome from US Senator Ed Markey, our climate champion in Congress, on the current budget battles that will determine our national futurea report from Bill McKibben, the world-famous founder of 350.org, on what he observed at the UN meeting – and what it means for usan analysis by Cabell Eames, political director for A Better Future Project, on how the governor is slow-walking the new climate law – and what we must doThe Rev. Vernon Walker, director of Communities Responding to Extreme Weather, on how the connections between the climate crisis and the injustices low income communities and communities of color must be met by a unified response.

Just weeks ago, our party overwhelmingly demanded that we “act with the boldness and urgency necessary to address and adapt to climate change.” Are those, as former Governor Deval Patrick once said, “just words”? Or are we ready truly to act like the leaders we could be?

Come learn about the actions we can and must take by joining us on Sunday, November 14th at 7 PM.

Space may be limited, so please register soon at http://bit.ly/massclimateaction

Please share this invitiation with the membership of your Committee and any other allies interested in a livable future. We look forward to seeing you!

In solidarity,

Mass Call2Action

with the support of: The Democratic Town, Ward, & City Committees of Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boston Wards 4 & 11, Boxborough, Braintree, Brewster, Carlisle, Concord, Hanover, Hanson, Hull, Kingston, Lenox, Longmeadow, Newton, Orleans, Rockland, Scituate, Somerville, Springfield, Watertown, Wayland, Wellfleet, West Springfield, Weston, & Weymouth; Act On Mass, Our Revolution MA, Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Peace Action, New Democracy Coalition, & MA Justice Democrats