Partners in the climate protection movement
Neighborhood-based sustainability groups within the City of Boston
West Roxbury Saves Energy: this neighborhood organization encourages local residents to save energy
Planet Southie: this all-volunteer organization is working for a greener and healthier South Boston.
GreeningRozzie: this community organization is working for a greener, more sustainable, and more cohesive Roslindale.
GreenDorchester: empowering any local resident, grassroots group, business, institution or non-profit organization working on community-based environmental change in Dorchester.
Back Bay Green Initiative: news about climate activism both citywide and in the Back Bay neighborhood
Chelsea Creek Action Group Partnership: this grass roots organization seeks to reclaim the neglected and contaminated Chelsea Creek as an environmental, recreational, economic, and educational asset for the people of the region.
Allston-Brighton CDC: one of the programs of this community development corporation seeks to conserve and sustain local natural resources as a way to improve the quality of life in Allston-Brighton.
Boston government links
City of Boston, Mayor’s Climate Pledge: sign-up to demonstrate popular commitment to climate action and to receive news about the City’s climate initiatives
Hazards Mitigation Plan: Hazard Mitigation planning is a proactive effort to identify actions that can be taken to reduce the dangers to life and property from natural hazard events
Statewide and regional organizations
Massachusetts Climate Action Network: statewide information and links to other municipal-level climate action groups
Green Justice Coalition: linking environmentalists, labor unions, and social justice organizations to make sure the green wave lifts all boats.
Youth Climate Action Network: a network of high school and middle school groups working to increase climate change awareness and action among students and educators.
350MA: the statewide affiliate of the international group 350.org, convened by Better Future Project. With nodes in Boston, the Pioneer Valley and elsewhere.
National and international efforts
350.org: an international campaign to make 350 parts per million CO2 the basis for the post-Kyoto treaty to be signed in 2009.
CarbonRally.com BostonCAN team: email challenges for reducing your carbon footprint
Green for All: a national organization dedicated to the creation of green “pathways out of poverty”
You can find these and many other videos on our YouTube channel
Bill McKibben speaking about 350.org at the “Green Roots Festival” in Jamaica Plain, 2008
Van Jones on Green Collar Jobs, Dorchester, MA, 2007
“One Earth, One Climate,” the Boston rally for Step It Up, 2007
Special issue on climate change from Change Agent, a magazine for Adult Education programs explains what global warming is, how it affects people, and what individuals and groups can do about it. Written for low-literacy Adult Education readers but applicable in many other contexts as well. Community study group anyone? Copy and art for flyers perhaps? Copies will be available at BostonCAN events or order a copy online: http://www.nelrc.org/changeagent/
Great power-point on how yucky plastic bags are: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/MULTIMEDIA02/80505016
Short accessible videos to spark lively discussion
1) “Why 350?” is a completely nonverbal 90-second introduction to climate change and the campaign to make the 2009 international climate change negotiations reflect the urgency of the problem and the scale of the solution needed.
2) For adults and teens who are prepared to emotionally surmount the fears that climate reality inspires, this succinct video animation from Australia explains the concept of “tipping points” and urgency of political action on climate change: “Wake Up, Freak Out – then Get a Grip.” It’s scary but if you can stick it out for the full 11 minutes, it leaves you with enough inspiration to “get a grip” and get active! (The Australian accent might make it difficult for some American ears but the website also provides the full script as well.
Cool Classroom activity – Catalog Cancelling Challenge
Want to save trees, water, energy and our climate? Your school is invited to take action with the free and easy Catalog Canceling Challenge to cancel as many unwanted sales catalogs as you can in thirty days. Get a grade, class, or club together and start canceling! It’s that simple. And it makes a difference. See www.TedWells.org for instructions, movies, results, and more! Call 617-512-8724 with any questions.
Recycled materials for teachers
ExCL is Extras for Creative Learning, a recycle center in Dorchester where teachers, group leaders, parents, and artists are able to obtain low-cost or no-cost recycled materials that offer unlimited creative opportunities.
Get regular climate updates from Earth Equity News.
