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!


You can listen to this episode via various
channels:


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find show notes and links related to this episode

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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.


If you'd like to get in touch, just reply to this message, or
email listenup@audiblecafe.com. I can't wait to hear from
you!


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


Better Future Project


Sierra Club of Massachusetts


Toxics Action Center


UUMass Action


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.