WHAT IS AN MCAN CHAPTER?

Our chapters in more than fifty towns across the state are made up of passionate volunteers working to improve their towns’ impact on fighting climate change. These organizations and teams work at the local level to encourage local policies and projects, and at the state level supporting state policies, programs, and standards to reduce climate change pollution.

Massachusetts law requires reductions in greenhouse gas emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below by 2050. Based on the newest available science, we support emissions reductions of 100% by 2050.  

WHY START AN MCAN CHAPTER?

You may be just starting out with local climate action, or you may be a seasoned climate activist looking for ways to increase your effectiveness and support system. Either way, joining MCAN as a chapter is a great place to start. Many people in towns across Massachusetts are active and concerned about climate change. Local action is necessary and exciting because it is doable and results are often easy to feel and see. However, if many people are attempting local action separately, there is also the chance for missed opportunities in terms of collaborating, information sharing, and learning from others examples. The best local movements are connected in a robust wider network. Becoming an MCAN chapter will provide you with:

• Clearly compiled guides on municipal actions including sample language

• Easy connection to other towns doing similar work

• Access to expert knowledge of the director as well as others in the field that may be hard to find otherwise

• Amplification of your cause and organization visibility

• Personal check-ins with an organizer to to help advise and keep your group motivated

• Updates on statewide and regional policy action

• Trainings to help your group be as effective as possible  

WHAT ARE MCAN CHAPTERS CURRENTLY DOING?

• Conducting a  Greenhouse Gas Inventory

• Developing a city or town Climate Action Plan

• Passing and implementing Community Choice Aggregation or the Clean Energy Choice program

• Working with their city or town to move Net Zero Planning forward

• Developing a speakers series on Climate Change subjects

• Supporting development of local or regional clean energy projects like solar on schools or capped landfills

• Increasing the amount of renewable energy provided by their Municipal Light Plant

• Advocating for  pro-climate policies in the state government

• Increasing municipal energy efficiency

• Forming or joining a residential energy efficiency effort

• Helping to create a local energy/climate commission or advisory group

• Passing local greener building guidelines for town or city construction

• Creating an educational outreach program for the school system or wider community

WHO DO I CONTACT ABOUT BECOMING AN MCAN CHAPTER?

Contact MCAN at [email protected].