A regional resource for Cape & Islands climate activists
February 15, 2021
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Localizing the green energy revolution
By Hannah J. Wiseman, The Hill, February 2, 2021
As President Biden continues to roll out executive orders prioritizing climate change, it is increasingly clear that there will be a relatively rapid U.S. shift toward renewable energy from the sun, wind and other sources.
Indeed, many states are already pushing ahead with ambitious renewable and clean energy policies. These policies will reduce air pollution, spur extensive economic development in rural areas and make progress on the climate front.
This “revolution,” as Biden calls it, is critical. But the bulk of renewables that have been built in the United States are large, centralized projects requiring thousands of miles of transmission lines — primarily in rural communities. A revolution that continues to prioritize these projects risks failure. It threatens to create an infrastructural path dependence like the one that “master builder” Robert Moses sparked in the 1950s. The federal highway network inspired by his plan led the United States to rely primarily on cars rather than trains and other public transit. This substantially divided communities, particularly along racial lines...
A better path would more clearly prioritize localized or distributed energy — solar panels over homes, businesses and parking lots, for example — and rapidly expand energy efficiency programs, like weatherizing. Large-scale renewables are necessary too, but an energy revolution should focus on “small” energy first. A recent Biden executive action toward building 1.5 million new energy efficient homes is a good start, but much more is needed in this same vein. Read more.
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Norway says it's "Sorry (not sorry)"
The University of Agder (Universitetet i Agder) in Southern Norway responds to actor Will Ferrell, who is incensed by Norway's dominance in the EV field.
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We were saddened to learn of the passing of the Rev. Dr. Paul Minus, formerly of Orleans and recently of Claremont, California. An early member of the Collaborative's board of directors, Minus connected his personal journey and love for the ecology of Cape Cod with a greater proposition for his fellow Federated Church of Orleans parishioners: undertake environmental action to combat the climate crisis and protect this sacred earth. His efforts led to the formation of the Collaborative's Faith Communities Environmental Network (FCEN), now a vibrant assembly of nearly 40 faith institutions across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. A beloved member of the faith and environmental communities on Cape Cod, Dr. Minus will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife Jean Minus, son Stephen, and family.
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US is falling behind its peers in moving away from fossil fuels and tackling climate change
MIT's Green Future Index ranks countries in their commitments to shifting society to a low-carbon future.
By Alexandra Kelley, The Hill, Feb. 12, 2021
A new global scale ranks countries on how well their transition to clean energy is going, and it is mediocre news for the U.S. Run by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and released last month, The Green Future Index takes 76 countries into account, measuring how their infrastructures are moving toward low-carbon energy.
Coming in at 40th place, the U.S. finished far behind contemporary nations, with Iceland, Denmark, Norway and France leading the world in first, second, third and fourth place, respectively. Factors that the ranking system takes into account include a country’s carbon emissions, energy transition, green society, clean innovation, and climate policy.
The leading nations, research shows, each have strong legislative initiatives surrounding sustainability, as well as investing in shifting society to rely on alternative energy, including geothermal and hydrogen-based energy. Read more. View the interactive map.
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Help the Collaborative continue our work, TODAY! |
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Dear Climate Collaborator,
If you've attended our events, visited our website or read our newsletter, you know that the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative is hard at work to help you combat the climate crisis and move the Cape & Islands region to net zero as soon as possible.
We bring climate news, support activism, promote local initiatives, offer educational resources, and effect cross-sector collaboration to help avert climate
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catastrophe and ensure a just, equitable and sustainable future for Cape Cod, the Islands...and the planet!
With gratitude,
Rich Delaney
President, Board of Directors
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By Jesse Remedios, WBUR, Feb. 10, 2021
The Massachusetts fishing economy generates more than $600 million annually and supports more than 5,700 jobs, according to the UMass Dartmouth Public Policy Center.
But a new report from the Massachusetts Special Legislative Commission on Ocean Acidification says the industry could suffer serious losses by the end of the century if ocean acidification — a process propelled by climate change — goes unaddressed.
“Ocean acidification is an existential threat to marine ecosystems and the livelihood of the people who work in them,” said state Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who led the commission that published the report. As ocean water grows more acidic, shellfish struggle to form and maintain healthy protective shells, making them less likely to survive. Ocean acidification poses a particular threat to oysters, lobsters, and clams.
The entire U.S. shellfishing industry is expected to lose more than $400 million annually due to ocean acidification by 2100. Those impacts could be felt especially hard in Massachusetts, where dozens of coastal communities and thousands of individuals depend on shellfish to make a living. Read more.
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Baker Sends Climate Bill Back With Amendments
Colin A. Young, State House News Service, February 07, 2021
Gov. Charlie Baker still is not on board with the climate policy bill overwhelmingly passed by the Legislature twice in about a month, but this time he has sent it back with proposed amendments he says would make the legislation more palatable.
The bill is designed to push Massachusetts toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, establish interim emissions goals, adopt appliance energy efficiency standards, and address needs in environmental justice communities. And while Baker has said he supports those aims, his administration and key lawmakers have not seen eye-to-eye on many of the finer details of the legislation. Read more.
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Act Now...If Not Now, When?
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Tell Your Legislator: Don't Water Down The Next-
Generation Climate Roadmap Bill
Source: Massachusetts Sierra Club
On Sunday, February 7, Governor Baker (to no one’s surprise) vetoed the bill AGAIN. In the second veto he scaled back a few of his earlier criticisms and instead proposed a series of amendments that would weaken and water down key aspects of the bill, specifically...
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The 2030 and 2040 emissions targets: S.9 calls for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a 75% reduction in emissions by 2040. Baker’s amendments would weaken these targets to 45% and 65% respectively.
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The sector emissions sublimits: S.9 establishes sector sub-limits for different sectors of the economy (electric power, transportation, heating, and cooling, etc). Baker’s amendments would severely weaken the accountability power of these sublimits.
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The net zero stretch building code: S.9 requires the state quickly move to develop a “net zero energy building code” for new construction. Baker’s amendments would severely weaken this provision by removing the “net zero energy” definition, slow down the timeline for adoption, and make it easier for communities to opt-out.
For more information and phone call talking points, read more. |
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Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates hearing on proposed Regional Policy Plan amendments
Join this Public Hearing on proposed climate change mitigation amendments to the Cape Cod Commission's Regional Policy Plan
Wed., February 17
4:15 pm
Join the session:
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By Zoom: Join at https://zoom.us/j/91675737709. Enter ID# 916 7573 7709 .
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By Phone: (929) 205-6099. Enter ID# 916 7573 7709 . ▪ Press *9 to request to speak.
The Assembly of Delegates will hold a virtual public hearing on Proposed Ordinance No. 21-02: To amend Ordinance 19-01 Regional Policy Plan to incorporate climate change mitigation amendments. Please join the the virtual public hearing to testify on the proposed ordinance. It's a win for the climate and for Cape Cod! The full text of the proposed ordinance, meeting agenda, and zoom link are available here. If you cannot attend, email comments to: joconnell@barnstablecounty.org by Noon on or before the date of the virtual public hearing.
Source: 350 Cape Cod
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Forgot to pick up the flowers and candy?
You can still warm your valentine's heart (and home) by shopping the Mass Save Store!
High-efficiency equipment makes your home more comfortable, conserves energy, and saves money. If your heating and cooling equipment is more than 10 years old, it may be time for a replacement. The sponsors of Mass Save® provide resources and rebates that help you upgrade to high-efficiency equipment that can make your home more comfortable, efficient, and budget-friendly.
Your local electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency service provider are taking strides in energy efficiency: Berkshire Gas, Blackstone Gas Company, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid and Unitil. As one, they form Mass Save®, with the common goal of helping residents and businesses across Massachusetts save money and energy, leading our state to a clean and energy-efficient future. Through the joint efforts of the Mass Save collaborative, Massachusetts has earned top ranking as the #1 state in the nation for energy efficiency. Read more.
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Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates Public Hearing
Wed., February 17
4:15 pm
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Join this public hearing on proposed climate change mitigation amendments to the Cape Cod Commission's Regional Policy Plan. Make comments at the hearing; if you cannot attend, email your comments by noon on or before Wed. Feb. 17 to joconnell@barnstablecounty.org.
To join by phone: Call (929) 205-6099 ▪ Enter ID# 916 7573 7709 ▪ Press *9 to request to speak.
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Wed., Feb. 17
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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Renters and owners: Researching solar on your own can be intimidating. If you’re interested in benefiting from solar, learn how to get started by comparing your options through the EnergySage platform, an independent web interface designed to make choosing a solar installer simple! |
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Bill Gate's Book Tour Launch: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
Mon., Feb. 22
7:00 pm ET
Harvard Bookstore (Virtual)
($35 fee includes book.)
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Join Bill Gates and interviewer Savannah Guthrie for the launch of Gates' authoritative book, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical—and accessible—plan for getting the world to net zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe. He explains why we need to work toward net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases and details what we need to do to achieve this urgently important goal.
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NECEC New England Cleantech Landscape 2021
Tue, Feb. 23, 2021
4:00 pm
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Join NECEC for New England Cleantech Landscape 2021 to hear from other startups about how support organizations like incubators and accelerator programs fare helping green cleantech startups succeed. Bring questions and be ready to connect with the many incubators, accelerators, and programs across New England. |
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Join a conversation with EnergySage Solar Advisor Anna Hagadorn, who will cover solutions to common obstacles to help clear the path for your solar panel installation. Q&A period to follow. |
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How systemic racism determines health outcomes for Black Americans? A disproportionate burden of both climate impacts and pollution-related illness in the U.S. falls on the shoulders of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Read more.
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You can help combat misinformation by spreading the word that Electric Vehicles are an important climate solution? Electric vehicles (EVs) are a key to cleaning up our country's transportation sector. Check out this cool video by a Union of Concerned Scientists planner. Read more. Watch the video here.
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The Martha's Vineyard Commission has a new climate change planner? Liz Durkee has always addressed climate change, but now as Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s first climate change planner, she’s addressing climate change on an Island-wide scale. Read more.
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Missed the Net Zero 2020 Conference?
Check out recordings of all sessions below.
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Watch 30+ videos and learn from experts around the region, state and country.
Join the conversation and get involved!
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MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES
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We are an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to reach carbon neutrality—or net zero—on Cape Cod and the Islands of Massachusetts by enhancing communication, collaboration, and activism among organizations, programs, and individuals committed to mitigating the climate crisis. We depend upon the generosity of our stakeholders to conduct our work. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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CAPE COD CLIMATE CHANGE COLLABORATIVE
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The Climate Action Alerts newsletter is compiled and crafted by Fran Schofield.
If you've got a climate story or question, please be in touch!
And don't forget to share this action alert with your friends and suggest they subscribe here.
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