Friends,

If you're like me and you spend a lot of time (too much time) on social media, you've probably seen stories about how the United States is sharply divided on climate change and on COVID-19.

These stories raise my stress level, but they're also flat-out wrong.

It's refreshing to see that polling shows an overwhelming unity on measures to slow the spread of COVID. And even as we're all worrying about the pandemic, we're not letting climate change fade into the background. According to a new report, 73% of people think that climate change is happening, which ties the previous record in 2019. This contradicts idea that we have a "finite pool of worry" and can only fret about one issue at a time.

Most people are concerned—but we don't all know what to do about it. That's where 350 Mass comes in.

If you have a friend who's ready to take action on climate change, tell them to sign up for this newsletter. We'll help them to make connections and add their voice.

Stay safe and well,
Rosemary Mosco
Newsletter Volunteer

Week of Action to Stop the Eastie Substation

Eversource is attempting to build an electrical substation in a residential area of East Boston. It's in a flood zone next to the Chelsea Creek, yards away from a playground, within 800 feet of 8 million gallons of jet fuel. This neighborhood is already overburdened by pollution from the nearby highway and Logan Airport. Substations are at risk of explosion: In April, a substation in Burbank, CA exploded, and another blew up in Madison, WI in July 2019. Join a week of action opposing the substation. See this guide for daily activities!

An Intimate Conversation with Bill McKibben to Benefit 350 Mass

Join Bill McKibben for a conversation about this particular moment in the climate crisis, how we can build more power, and how we can enhance our organizing to defeat the vested interests that are preventing a robust climate agenda. This event will be held on zoom and capped at 25 computers, so space is very limited. We're asking for a minimum donation of $250 per person or $300 per two-person attendance on the same computer. Sign up here.

Other 350 Mass News

Congratulations to Volunteer Fred Hewitt: Over a year ago, Letters to the Editor Team Volunteer Fred Hewitt wrote a piece for WBUR's Cognoscenti, What Happens To The Charles River If 100-Year Storms Are The New Normal? A video created to accompany the piece is a winner of the 2020 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award.

Sign a Petition to Build Back Better:  Support the 350 Mass North Shore and Greater Lowell nodes in their efforts to show their representatives that the people of Massachusetts demand action to address the climate crisis, reduce pollution, invest in infrastructure, and create good jobs. Sign here.

We Need Your Photos: Do you have any great pics or short videos of 350 Mass rallies, meetings, and other activities? We're looking for photos of our volunteers taking action, smiling, and having a great time! Please upload them here.

Write a Letter to the Editor: There has never been a better time to take part in 350 Mass' Letters to the Editor (LTE) team. Want to join? Email Alan Palm, Director of Organizing, to find out more! Our members have a great success rate in getting letters published!
Here are some recent letters:
Mary Memmott in the Boston Globe: "Science-denying administration is a danger to next generation"
Craig Thompson in the Lowell Sun: "The time is now to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy"

Other Climate Movement News

Tell BlackRock To Divest from Fossil Fuels: BlackRock is the world's leading investor in fossil fuels. Send a postcard urging CEO Larry Fink to be true to his words and "transform finance" in the face of the climate crisis.

Urge Liberty Mutual to Stop Funding the Climate Crisis: Liberty Mutual is a huge backer of the tar sands sector, which spells disaster for the climate and Indigenous rights. Are you a Liberty Mutual policyholder? You have a unique platform to voice concerns. Sign up here.

Solidarity Opportunities

People's Café Benefit for Eastie: East Boston has the highest immigrant population of any neighborhood in Boston (51%). Add high rates of COVID-19, a high unemployment rate, and a high percentage of essential but poorly paid jobs, and you have a major human disaster. Help Eastie by grabbing tickets for an at-home benefit concert with Boston folk icons Lorraine & Bennett Hammond. Get tickets here. Sat, May 23, 7-10 pm.

COVID 19 Emergency Fund: Give to The First Church in Belmont Unitarian Universalist's COVID19 Emergency Fund and your donation will be doubled, thanks to two generous donors. They're nearly halfway towards their $50,000 goal. Here's how to donate.

Support Emergency Paid Sick Time: Legislation for Emergency Paid Sick Time (H.4700 / S.2701) has been cosponsored by a majority of our State Representatives and Senators! Your legislators need to hear from you ASAP. Whether they've already cosponsored the legislation or are not official cosponsors, they can ask that members of leadership in their chamber prioritize it and take action to pass it. Contact them here.

Petition—Tell Governor Baker that Reopening Plan Must Protect Workers and Hard-hit Communities: Essential workers, communities of color, and nursing home residents are bearing the worst brunt of the COVID-19 epidemic. None of these groups are represented in Governor Baker's Advisory Board for reopening the Massachusetts economy. Sign a petition demanding a more equitable reopening.

Stand With the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe: The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the very tribe that welcomed the Pilgrims in the 1600s, is at risk of losing what is left of their homelands due to a determination made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Sign a petition to support the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act (HR.312).

About Better Future Project and 350 Mass