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Environmental Issues

Newton Citizens Climate Action Plan (from Annual Meeting)

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

LWVN Membership Supports Climate Emergency Resolution

At our recent Annual Meeting, members voted to support the resolution below, to be presented at the LWVMA Convention in Westford with other Leagues from around the state.

Climate Emergency Resolution

Unanimously approved by LWVMA Environmental Action and Advocacy Committee, May 22, 2019 for submission to the LWVMA Convention, June 7-8, 2019.

Whereas on October 8, 2018, the United Nations released a special report that projected that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius this century will require an unprecedented transformation of every sector of the global economy over the next 12 years; and

Whereas on November 23, 2018, the U.S. Fourth National Climate Assessment was issued, which detailed the massive threat that climate change poses to the American economy and underscored the need for emergency climate action at all levels of government; and Read more →

Housing, Transportation and Climate Change Speakers from Newton-Needham Regional Chamber

At a recent Newton-Needham Regional Chamber event, speakers addressed the topics of diverse and affordable housing, as well as transportation and climate change.  The latter speaker was Robin Chase, an American transportation entrepreneur. She is co-founder and former CEO of Zipcar as well as founder and former CEO of Buzzcar, a peer-to-peer car sharing service, acquired by Drivy.  Watch the comments here:

Newton-Needham Chamber:  Affordable Housing

Newton-Needham Chamber:  Transportation and Climate Change

LWVN Help Wanted: CPC, EIC, Municipal Finance, and ‘The League Presents…’

HELP WANTED:  If you are interested in ‘doing more’, we have three opportunities for you!

LWVN’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC):  This committee observes Newton’s Community Preservation Commission meetings, reads the applications before the Commission, and comments on each one.  We have a group of people who are willing to read the applications, but need a chairperson to coordinate the process.  This is not a huge time commitment!  The Newton Commission meets at most once a month, their meetings end at a reasonable time, and readings/letters only need to be coordinated a few times a year (only when there is an application).

LWVN Committee Chairs for Environmental Issues Committee and for Municipal Finance Committee:  These are chances to re-form committees that are no longer active.  We are looking for people willing to chair each group, set up regular meetings and set modest goals to start.

Co-Producer for The League Presents…:  Our monthly show is recorded at NewTV and can cover a wide range of topics.  Being a co-producer means organizing the guests and hosts for LWVN’s monthly TV program, working with both to develop questions on the topic, and communicating with your co-producer and director.  A co-producer does need some NewTV training, and it would be helpful to know how to use a camera or some of the other technology.  Taping is once a month and we have a regular schedule, which makes planning ahead easier, so this is not a huge time commitment, but is a lot of fun!

LWVN Help Wanted: CPC, EIC, Municipal Finance, and ‘The League Presents…’

HELP WANTED:  If you are interested in ‘doing more’, we have three opportunities for you!

LWVN’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC):  This committee observes Newton’s Community Preservation Commission meetings, reads the applications before the Commission, and comments on each one.  We have a group of people who are willing to read the applications, but need a chairperson to coordinate the process.  This is not a huge time commitment!  The Newton Commission meets at most once a month, their meetings end at a reasonable time, and readings/letters only need to be coordinated a few times a year (only when there is an application).

LWVN Committee Chairs for Environmental Issues Committee and for Municipal Finance Committee:  These are chances to re-form committees that are no longer active.  We are looking for people willing to chair each group, set up regular meetings and set modest goals to start.

Co-Producer for The League Presents…:  Our monthly show is recorded at NewTV and can cover a wide range of topics.  Being a co-producer means organizing the guests and hosts for LWVN’s monthly TV program, working with both to develop questions on the topic, and communicating with your co-producer and director.  A co-producer does need some NewTV training, and it would be helpful to know how to use a camera or some of the other technology.  Taping is once a month and we have a regular schedule, which makes planning ahead easier, so this is not a huge time commitment, but is a lot of fun!