December 18, 2009

"We want real solutions, not false solutions!"

These words from the Indigenous Environmental Network rang out over the 100,000 marchers in Copenhagen this week supporting communities struggling on the front lines of climate change. I’m here with ACE’s partner groups in a delegation of U.S.-based community organizers working on socially just solutions to global warming.

The international climate change talks were supposed to be transparent and open to both government representatives and private citizens. Yet, when high ranking world officials joined the end of the conference, those of us working on the grassroots level with marginalized communities were no longer allowed to enter.

Despite the chaos and excitement, I can’t help but think of the progress we’ve been able to make back home. This past weekend, ACE members gathered to help weatherize a Dorchester home in our first member-led "barn-raising," a term borrowed from the Amish practice of building houses for new neighbors. After volunteers spent the day sealing and insulating, the house was so warm that the homeowner, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, went to turn off the heat — only to find that it wasn’t even on!

Your enthusiasm and dedication to making real change is helping keep my spirits warm here in Denmark. Thank you members, for your support of safe, healthy and green communities in Boston and beyond.

Happy holidays to you and your family!

With gratitude,

Kalila Barnett
Executive Director

In this issue:

• Member profile: Jim Keane

• Green jobs victory in the Commonwealth!

• Young people celebrate student pass extension

• Residents file appeal against power plant

• Riders Speak on MBTA Issues

• Annual Meeting a Blast

• Give the Gift of Environmental Justice

• More info

Member profile: Jim Keane

I was born in Everett, and grew up in Wakefield in an old-school Irish/Italian family. I'm working in biotech and would like to transition to a career that would incorporate my progressive beliefs...I like ACE's push to go green, the continued focus on environmental justice, transit justice and especially the fact that ACE does a great job working with teenagers that are helping to fight these battles. Read more...

Green jobs victory in the Commonwealth!

In October, Massachusetts became the first state to adopt a wide-ranging energy efficiency plan, thanks to the work of Community Labor United (CLU) and the Green Justice Coalition (GJC), an alliance of which ACE is a founding member. If implemented correctly, the $1.4 billion dollar plan will bring economic revival to neighborhoods with high unemployment rates by providing good jobs that also help to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Read more...

Young people celebrate student pass extension

In September, youth leaders from the Youth Way on the MBTA campaign celebrated a hard-fought win when the MBTA Student Pass was extended from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The campaign is a partnership of Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP) and Boston-area Youth Organizing Project (BYOP) with support from the T Riders Union (TRU). Read more...

Residents file appeal against power plant

This fall, Brockton and West Bridgewater residents filed a petition with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court appealing the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) decision granting permission for the construction of a fossil fuel power plant in Brockton. Residents have been fighting this plant for the past two years and are represented at no charge by ACE Legal Counsel Eugene Benson and Lisa Goodheart, Dylan Sanders and Shanel Lindsay of the law firm of Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak, & Cohen. Read more...

Riders Speak on MBTA Issues

In response to Governor Patrick’s review of the MBTA, T Riders and transit advocates spoke out at the T Riders Union (TRU) People’s Forum on November 7. Participants described a system that fails to serve riders and called on Governor Patrick and our legislators to give riders a real voice in MBTA decision making. Read more...

Annual Meeting a blast

In October, ACE members and supporters packed the First Church in Roxbury for our Annual Meeting. We celebrated this year's achievements, set priorities for the next year by approving the ACE Annual Plan and voted for candidates for the Board of Directors. Read more...

Give the Gift of Environmental Justice!

Looking for a last minute present? How about an ACE Gift Membership?

Choose from three contribution levels and your lucky someone will receive a year-long ACE membership with complimentary gifts like our new tote bag, TRU T-shirt and more. Our reusable ACE bags also make wonderful stocking stuffers or holiday gifts!

Email Holly or call (617) 442-3343 x231 for more information — last day to order for 2009 is Monday, December 21.

More:

• Check out upcoming events

• See our blog

• Sign up for ACE newsletters!

ACE builds the power of communities of color and lower income communities in New England to eradicate environmental racism and classism and achieve environmental justice. We believe that everyone has a right to a healthy environment and to be decision-makers in issues affecting our communities.