This past week and a half has been an exciting one for Massachusetts Power Shift.
Our network launch day had attendance of over 35 people, representing 22 different campuses and organizations at Northeastern University. The morning featured a discussion with Modern Industrial Revolution, a Northeastern-based group working to make Boston into the first climate-neutral city. After an invigorating hour-and-a-half brainstorm, the MAPS network kicked in for a campaign presentation and Power Vote trainings from the leaders of the movement. Everyone left with bags of materials, business cards in pockets, and the inspiration to charge through 6 weeks to the election.
This weekend offered more surprises from the Boston climate movement. Along with Green Jobs Now! day of action across the country, Boston schools collaborated to represent Power Vote and MAPS at 2 festivals, a Green Jobs event, and the BioTour concert series in Boston. Combined count of over 400 pledges for clean energy, and connections that will last throughout the year.
With regional networks forming, a campaign taking place, and the election only 5 weeks away, this is an exciting time to be in Massachusetts Power Shift. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter, coming soon!
Don’t stop,
-Eddie Miller
Boston University ‘10
Boston Regional Coordinator, Massachusetts Power Shift
Original New York Times link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/opinion/15hahn.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=drill,%20baby,%20drill&st=cse&oref=slogin
The whole debate on drilling for oil seems to be a debate on short-term versus systemic thinking in policy decisions. On the one hand, 11 billion barrels can be had if we open restricted offshore areas. At most, this money would benefit American companies and prove that we still have the ability to support ourselves. In the public’s opinion, it would lower gas prices. In reality, though, it would prolong reliance on a dirty fossil fuel whose production time has peaked, when we really need to be spending our efforts in developing long-range alternatives. There is no future in oil… the cycle is a one-way process coming from energy in the dinosaur era. How much of our “non-use values” do we want to give up in bandaging a dying industry?
In fact, the decision was made to open the restricted areas to drilling. To be expected, as it was becoming more and more politically infeasible to stand up against the demands of American voters and the oil industry. The only other point to be made is that these areas are restricted for a reason, some of the most beautiful and pristine areas left in our country. Where is our environmental self-discipline if these protected areas are repealed when we feel the slightest pressure, for benefits that are negligible in any period other than this election? Spending on other environmental areas can’t really make up for the loss of such a park, the ideological battle we’ve lost.
It is a classic case of lack of representation, as environmental lobbyists alone cannot represent the benefit to the future of a park and the wildlife of Alaska. Politicians who ultimately made the decision are accountable foremost to their voters, as they should be. Oil companies are responsible to their profit lines, as they should be. “Non-use values” are difficult to quantify and end up being idealized and externalized, I just wish there was a better way to protect the park.
-Eddie Miller
BU ‘10
Campaign Team, Mass Power Shift
You can’t ignore it. Every headline, TV newsflash, and cover story is saturated with the upcoming elections. Young people are coming out strong for a candidate, but where is our voice on the issues?
For climate change, this is our moment. Scientists tell us the leadership in the next few years will decide the future of our climate and the fate of millions. We MUST voice the undeniable relationship between our energy choices and the future of the economy, national security, and domestic affairs! We CAN define the terms of this debate. That’s why we’re launching POWER VOTE.
Check it out now at: www.powervote.org.
Power Vote is our chance to lead the world towards a just, clean energy economy that moves beyond dirty energy, in a just way, and secures our climate. It’s our chance to retake our democracy from powerful corporate interests and return it to our best interest. With 1 million young people united in support, we can tip an election.
It has to be now.
Massachusetts Power Shift is helping to bring this revolution to Massachusetts. With the power of tons of colleges statewide, we feel that Massachusetts can really own this campaign this fall. There’s trainings, materials, and toolkits available on the website to help you succeed, and a network of top-tier youth organizers dedicated to our success. In the coming weeks up to the election, let’s rock this.
-Eddie Miller
BU ‘10
Chair of Communications, Massachusetts Power Shift
On November 19, 2007, four students sat down at a Finagle-a-Bagel shop across from Park Street in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Filled with energy and feeling inspired from a recent conference they had attended, these students decided to charge ahead with a conference of their own.
Less than five months later, they had assembled a 50+ person conference planning team that rose close to $30,000, rented out the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, and attracted high-profile, engaging speakers (including Senator John Kerry), connected with dozens and dozens of organizations, recruited exciting and inspiring musicians, obtained the Boston Commons for the revolutionary Soul Purpose Live! rally, incorporated local green artists through a green art exhibit, and most importantly, engaged hundreds of attendees.
On the final day of the conference, Power Shifters took to the Massachusetts State House to lobby in favor of the Global Warming Solutions Act, which will reduce MA’s emissions 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050. These attendees returned to their communities more invigorated, informed, and connected to take even more meaningful actions upon their return.
However, the planning team realized that they had built something special, and that in planning this conference, these dozens of individuals from across the state had really come together in a meaningful way. They wanted to share these connections and strengthen the youth climate movement across Massachusetts, and embrace all citizens of the Commonwealth (and those from beyond) in meaningful action to take on the climate crisis.
This newly redesigned website is among the first of many steps on the long road to a just and sustainable future in Massachusetts. We hope that you will consider joining us as we chart this path, and advocate for Green Jobs, Green Justice, and Climate Solutions along with the MAPS team.
Come back often. There is a long struggle ahead, and much to be done.
Onwards and upwards!
-Craig Altemose
