Friday afternoon, more than 100 climate activists gathered in front of State House to call on the Baker administration to implement climate mitigation policies as part of this years Global Climate Strike.
The climate strike was one of many worldwide held on Mar. 25 in support for Fridays For Future, the youth-led climate change action organization. Fridays for the FutureThis is a youth-led, organized international movement that Greta Thunberg, a Swedish activist, started in August 2018. Thunberg’s sit-down protest at the Swedish parliament every Friday over three weeks was a viral social media sensation.
Six community groups from the area joined forces to co-sponsor this year’s Fridays for Future Massachusetts Global Climate Strike. They were: Boston Climate Action Network, Boston Universitys Environmental Student Organization (BCAN), Boston Universitys Climate Action Network, Extinction Rebellion, Fairmount Indigo CDC Collaborative and H.E.R.O. 350 Massachusetts and the Nurturing Center (HERO).
Hailey Moll, Communications and Media Lead for the Boston Climate Action NetworkPeople, Not Profit, this years theme, stated that it centers people at both the forefront of the climate crisis, and, more importantly, the society.
In a phone interview with The Scope, Moll explained that this means that we place people, the power and political power above profit and greed and that we take steps to create a just transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable world. But one that prioritizes the people and dismantles the racial capitalism system.
Seven speakers, representing local coalition groups and other organizations, took the stage to emphasize the demands made in the document. Facebook event page. One calls for the Baker administration’s pressure on Independent System Operator New England (“ISO NE”) for obstructing a smooth transition toward clean energy. Other highlights Crane Ledge WoodsAs part of the FY23 budget’s green space infrastructure acquisition.
New England Power Pool created ISO NE in 1996 during the electricity deregulation. ISO NE manages today’s electric grid. Bidding prices for renewable energie have been raisedto match those of fossil fuels, which makes clean energy options less attractive.
Judith Foster gave a speech in which she spoke about H.E.R.OThe intersection of politics, environmental justice and politics is the focus of this project.
Foster stated to the crowd, “You can’t segregate air.”
All ages supported the strike. Some held signs of support, while others wrote Gas gives mother nature indigestion and Gov. Baker & ISO-NE no fracked gas! Wind & Solar now!, and N.E. Grid stop gas. As speakers spoke, Chants echoed the top end of the Common. Climate justice. When do you want it? Now! XR’s international activist arts group, 10 Red Rebel Brigades performed at the event.
James Michel, a member on the Crane Ledge Woods Coalition’s steering team, stated that those his age failed in their fight to create a status quo for movements they care about.
I’m inspired by [the younger] generation because I’m a boomer we got radicalized, we were part of movements, but I think too many of us sold out, made decisions to rejoin the mainstream [and]Michel said that he has stopped creating a counterculture during a phone interview with The Scope.
Bob Tumposky, a member the 350 Mass BostonBaker, who is the co-chair of statewide’s legislative team and node steering team, said that he wants Baker use his influence to advocate for the improvement of the environment.
We want him take a stand on the issue. Governors certainly have some influence in Washington on this matter, but they have more than that. [regular people]Tumposky stated that he does, in a telephone interview with The Scope. We feel, in general, he’s been pretty anemic on clean energy issues.
Tumposky, a climate justice supporter hopes the strike will bring people into climate advocacy.
I hope it’s big enough to get some attention and notice, also, perhaps, more importantly, to inspire more people to get engaged in the climate, Tumposky said.
Crane Ledge Woods is an unprotected 24-acre woodland space that borders Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roslindale. The coalition was formed by individuals, neighborhood associations, and non-profit organizations that advocate for the conservation of the land.
Jubilee Christian Church is the current owner of the property. They have made arrangements to sell it to Lincoln Property Company, a Dallas-based firm. The Boston Planning and Development Agency has initiated the process. Michel stated that the community would prefer that the city purchase the land to preserve green infrastructure and that the church receive fair compensation.
Michel stated that people became aware of the danger of development of this little gem in the center of the city. And that’s when the neighborhood associations mobilized very quickly.
Fridays for Future, an international platform for climate justice, is calling for climate reparations. Moll explained that one option is to give land back to the people, in lieu of monetary compensation. This is especially true for Crane Ledge Woods.
People’s access to the outdoors, particularly Brown and Black folks and people [who]Moll stated that low income people are vital. Climate change mitigation requires green infrastructure.
Michel supports the mission statement and expressed his hope that the City of Boston would evaluate land and natural resources in the interest of the citizens in line with Boston Mayor Michelle Wus campaign promiseReferring to the Green New Deal.
We must move in the direction of restoring land to the commons. For me, the term decolonization speaks to the Indigenous understanding that we don’t own land. Michel stated that the concept of private property in relation to land is dehumanizing.
Moll stated that BCAN was one of the many organizations that were developed. Toolkitthat the public can use for their purposes.
There’s so many other organizations doing such amazing work and we really wanted to make sure that this toolkit showed solidarity actions, Moll said.
Michel stated that intersectional identities must not be overlooked, especially when it comes to the fight for climate justice.
We must all be involved in movement building and coalition building. Michel said, “The more I age, the more I realize that issues of racial injustice, economic justice, and climate catastrophe all have a connection.” We humans have created an oppressive, violent system based in racialized capitalism. White supremacy, patriarchy, and other systems that aren’t sustainable and are increasingly favoring a smaller portion of the human race to the detriment, not only of other people, but also of other species.
