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Environmental Issues

LWV Climate Change Task Force

July 12, 2020

The LWV Climate Change Task Force would like to gather the League information for all League members who an interest in climate. We have over 1000 League members on our list, so together we make powerful state and regional networks. Please let us know your League by filling out the form at the link below.

Link to Form Here

 

Categories: Environmental Issues, LWV US

Climate Action – LWV US & MA

July 12, 2020

Coalition Letter Urges Action on Electrification of Vehicles as COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights the Dangers of Air Pollution

The Massachusetts Zero Emission Vehicle Coalition and its partners, which includes the Newton EV Task Force and League of Women Voters Massachusetts, recently sent the Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection a letter urging the following action by the State: “Set a goal and create an action plan for all vehicles to be electric by 2040. Commit to all electric transit and school bus fleets by 2035. Commit to complete electrification of state and municipal fleets by 2035. Establish goals and incentive programs for the conversion of private vehicle fleets.”

The COVID-19 pandemic makes the transition to cleaner electric vehicles even more urgent as, “People with COVID-19 who live in US Regions with high levels of air pollution are more likely to die from the disease than people who live in less polluted areas.”  Middlesex County has the second highest level of air pollution particulate matter in Massachusetts, much of it concentrated along the Mass Pike and 128 (A Clean Transportation System for my Patients).

Transportation accounts for the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts.  Setting a goal and creating an action plan for electrification of vehicles is an important step toward achieving the State’s ambitious net zero emissions limit. It’s time for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to make good on the Governor’s  Earth Day 2020 pledge for an aggressive, science-based, net-zero emissions limit.

Newton’s Climate Action Plan, officially adopted on November, 11, 2019, as a part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, includes the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.  Recently the City made a step towards this goal by converting the NewMo, senior transportation vehicles, to hybrid vehicles.

At the LWVUS Convention in June, the League of Women Voters of Araphoe and Douglas Counties proposed a resolution that calls for an immediate, wide-scale, mobilization by the United States that restores, protects, and funds an ecologically sustainable environment and climate, based on an interrelated approach that is environmentally sound, science-based, just and equitable, and dedicated to appropriately addressing the speed and scale of the global climate change emergency.  This resolution was passed at the convention by an overwhelming majority, thereby reenforcing the LWVUS commitment to the environment.

Read the complete letter from the Massachusetts Zero Emission Vehicle Coalition.

Categories: Environmental Issues, LWV MA, LWV US

Climate Change Forum – Feb 26

February 9, 2020

There’s No Time to Waste – Addressing the Urgency of Climate Change

We invite you to attend a…

Climate Change Forum

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020
7pm – 9pm
Scandinavian Cultural Center
206 Waltham Street, West Newton, MA

The wildfires in Australia, and the flooding of Indonesia and Venice are examples of tragic climate events that have raised alarm bells across the globe.  Climate change is here in real time and will feed an increasing number of devastating, extreme weather events. Facing inaction on climate legislation at the federal level, state and local governments must pick up the slack.

Join us on Wednesday, February 26th, when the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN), together with the Leagues of Framingham, Needham, Wayland, Wellesley and Weston, will co-host a community conversation you won’t want to miss!  You’ll learn how Massachusetts can join other states and hundreds of cities across the country working to reduce carbon emissions – “Job One” if we are to avert the worst impacts of climate change.

Discussion topics will include:

  • The current state of climate change science and implications for society
  • The current status and importance of the regional transportation and climate initiative
  • The plan to help transition gas utilities to delivery of clean, safe, renewable energy and the importance of the FUTURE Act

To present this topic, we have assembled an outstanding panel that includes Craig Altemose , Co-Founder and Executive Director of Better Future Project;  Jordan Stutt, Carbon Programs Director of the Acadia Center; and Audrey Schulman, Co-founder and Executive Director of HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team) and/or Zeyneb Magavi (Director, HEET).

State Senator Cynthia Creem
, a sponsor of the FUTURE ACT, will be attending as well and providing remarks.

RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org or on Facebook are appreciated!

Categories: Environmental Issues, Events, Topic Meetings

LWVMA Climate Emergency Action Resolution and Plan

August 21, 2019

From LWVMA:

See below both the Climate Emergency Resolution, submitted as testimony  to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications and Utilities and passed at the 2019 LWVMA Convention unanimously, and the Climate Emergency Plan, approved by the Board of the LWVMA on July 26, 2019.

In his keynote speech at the convention, Bill McKibben made it clear that global societies have an urgent “action deficit” in terms of the response to date on the climate crisis. He also pointed out that the League has a unique and special role to play as a highly-regarded and respected organization with a 100-year history of championing policies for the public good and strengthening our democracy.

League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Climate Emergency Resolution

League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Climate Emergency Resolution

League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Climate Emergency Action Plan

2019 LWVMA Climate Emergency Plan

Categories: Environmental Issues, LWV MA, Program Planning

10¢ Paper Bag Fee Approved

July 13, 2019

The City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance requiring Newton businesses to charge customers 10 cents for every paper bag the store provides at checkout. Larger stores, those over 3,500 square feet, will be required to implement the fee in six months. Smaller stores will have a year to prepare.  Read more →

Categories: City of Newton Info, Environmental Issues

Newton Citizens Climate Action Plan (from Annual Meeting)

June 9, 2019

In May, the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy, led by Dr. Halina Brown, published the Newton Citizens Climate Action Plan, a realistic plan to reduce greenhouse gases in Newton to zero by 2050.  Dr. Brown presented an overview of the plan at the League’s Annual Meeting on May 30, 2019.  Many thanks to the all members of the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy, and we hope to have a fuller discussion of the plan in the fall.

Click here to see Dr. Brown’s presentation:  NCCE Presentation–Annual Meeting

Click on the link or the image below to see the entire Newton Citizens Climate Action Plan:  http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/96838

FINAL-CCAP-May-6-1.0

Categories: Annual Meeting, City of Newton Info, Environmental Issues, Events, LEARN - Topics of Interest

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Representing the 4th: A Conversation with Barney Frank, Joe Kennedy III, and Jake Auchincloss

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March 4th, 5:00 pm

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March 4th, 10:39 am

Barney Frank, Joe Kennedy And Jake Auchincloss To Talk In Newton

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The League of Women Voters in Newton are hosting an online discussion with the three latest Newton Congressmen to represent the district.
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March 2nd, 4:30 pm

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March 2nd, 1:49 pm

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February 26th, 11:16 am

JOIN US! A Discussion with Barney Frank, Joe Kennedy III, and Jake Auchincloss

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For almost 50 years, our Congressional representative from the MA 4th District has been a Newton resident. Join us to hear from the three most recent, whose collective time in Congress dates back to 1...
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