Episode 3: Allan Fierce & Jane Winn on the (Dysfunctional) Massachusetts Legislature
Greetings from the Audible Café podcast, where we spend time together each week to explore the natural world, wildlife, sustainable living, and climate change.
On this week's episode, I spend time talking with Allan Fierce, Legislative Coordinator for the Massachusetts Chapter of Elders Climate Action, and Jane Winn, Executive Director of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT).
“At the very end of the day, the House and Senate have been unable to agree on climate and energy legislation.” Allan Fierce, Massachusetts Elders Climate Action
“We're very upset with the House leadership for pretty much killing all the clean energy legislation. We’d like to see House leadership wake up and allow good clean energy legislation to actually pass this session.” Jane Winn, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)
Both Allan and Jane discuss the challenges facing their organizations, activists, and concerned citizens at large in urging their representatives in the Statehouse to pass foward-thinking, sane energy bills. Climate change, environmental concerns, and social justice inequalities dictate that we need to QUICKLY move Massachusetts (and the world) to a sustainable energy future not dependent on fossil fuels. The future is in clean, renewable energy sources like solar and wind and geothermal power to heat and cool our living spaces and generate electricity. But the majority of the Massachusetts House of Representatives does not act in a way that demonstrates they believe in the urgency of this pivotal moment in history.
Perhaps more disturbing is the dysfunction and undemocratic procedures and processes of the Commonwealth's legislature that are revealed in these interviews.
Thank you Allan Fierce and Jane Winn! You have provided us with an eye-opening and enlightening -- if unsettling -- view into our Statehouse that is much appreciated.
There are so many others I could have interviewed for this episode that are also on the front lines of the clean energy movement in Boston... but time did not allow. In the show notes on the website and elsewhere you can find links to lots more on these inspiring organizations and on this session of the Massachusetts Legislative session ending in one week.
It's a crucial time in history to get involved and connect with your elected representatives! They DO need and, in most cases, WANT to hear from you!
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Audible Café is a place-space where we spend time together each week exploring the natural world, wildlife, sustainable living, and climate change. This opens up possibilities that are basically limitless. And, now more than ever, we need to spend time together being inspired, learning, and trusting we can have a positive impact on the world we love.
Thank you so much for being a part of the Audible Café! It means a lot.
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Joy and peace, Judy
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Elders Climate Action - Massachusetts Chapter
Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)
Massachusetts Legislature Website
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING HARD ON CLIMATE AND ENERGY
And more ...
350 Mass, Clean Water Action, Boston Climate Action Network, Climate Action Now MA, Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station, No Fracked Gas in Mass, and the Mass Power Forward coalition.
And those working on safe communities for immigrants and refugees:
Safe Communities Coalition members: MIRA Coalition, Unitarian Universalist Mass Action, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, Essex County Community Organization, Agencia ALPHA, Progressive Mass, JALSA, and American Friends Service Committee.