ACTION ALERT: Help Pass a Strong Climate Bill

Last week, the House approved its version of the Climate and Energy Bill, which focused on the transition to clean energy, leaving behind key climate adaptation measures. The Massachusetts House and Senate are working to finalize the Climate Bill before sending it to Governor Healey’s desk. Please help us urge the Massachusetts legislature to protect its citizens by finalizing a strong Climate Bill that incorporates climate adaptation before the session’s end on July 31st. Your advocacy can protect future generations!

Here’s a template of what to say:

SUBJECT: Urgent Action Needed: Please Pass a Strong Climate Bill 
Dear Representative and Senator,

My name is _____, and I am a resident of _____ in the Charles River watershed. As a coastal state, I firmly believe that Massachusetts must lead by example in climate adaptation. As you know, climate change poses significant threats to our environment, economy, and public health. I ask that you prove Massachusetts’ commitment to climate resiliency by ensuring that climate adaptation measures make it into the Climate Bill before July 31st.

We are already being affected by climate change. Your constituents are experiencing record-breaking heat, twice as frequent high-tide flooding, and more persistent droughts. I respectfully request that you retain the following critical climate adaptation practices during the conference committee process so that our state can effectively respond to extreme weather events impacting the Commonwealth:

• Section 5 of SB2838, Drought Management, to create a powerful statewide, coordinated drought response to protect our water supplies, ecosystems, and economy during a declared drought.

• Section 45 - 58 of SB2838, Modernizing the Container Deposit Law, to improve the existing Bottle Bill in several ways, including expanding coverage, increasing handling fees, and adding more robust annual reporting requirements.  

• Section 137 of SB2838, Statewide Flood Risk Assessment and Standards, to provide flood risk mapping resources to the public to protect citizens from flooding.

I’m confident that you can get this bill passed. I admire the Commonwealth’s actions to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Still, it’s imperative that we protect our communities during this transition and ensure that essential adaptation measures are not overlooked. Accessible flood maps and effective drought management are crucial for ensuring public safety during this clean energy transition. I urge you to consider the long-term benefits of investing in climate adaptation measures. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Gratefully,

________