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Urgent Action Needed!
 As
Beacon Hill's 2011-2012 session heads into its final weeks, dozens of
environmental bills are still stalled in legislative committees. Some
of these are good bills that offer needed protections, some are bad
bills that need to be opposed. For a full list of the status of all
the bills we've worked on,
click here. Take action on these urgent items listed below:
Protect the Mass.
Endangered Species Act
There
is a growing, radical
movement to gut the state's Endangered Species Act (MESA).
H4208 would curtail much of the state's authority to protect
endangered species and their habitats
Tell your legislators that you oppose this bill!
Bring the Bottle Bill Update to the Floor for a Vote
Our state legislators have been asked to update this bill for 14 years
– and each year, there’s been a new excuse. We still have a chance to
pass the Bottle Bill Update this year.
Tell your legislators that "The Updated Bottle Bill deserves a vote!"
Ban Plastic
Checkout Bags
Studies show that plastic bags kill 1 billion animals a year. Plastic bags are non-biodegradable.
they just break up into smaller and smaller toxic bits. Efforts to ban
them worldwide are growing.
Tell your legislators to support the ban on plastic bags.
Save our Public Lands - The Public Lands Protection Act
Our public parks are often threatened with development. The Public
Lands Preservation Act (PLPA, H3438) would provide important
protection for these public lands in our communities.
Tell your State Rep to support moving this bill to the floor for a
vote.
Save the State's Redemption Centers
At the very heart of the Bottle Bill are the state’s Redemption
Centers. Their operating costs, covered by the bottlers, not by
taxpayers, is the finest example of producer responsibility anywhere:
While their costs have steadily increased, their compensation hasn't
in 14 years.
Quick
action is needed to save our Redemption Centers.
 Go Solar...
with the Sierra Club and Sungevity!
Solar can save you money and displace
dirty fossil fuels. Our national Sierra Club developed with
Sungevity a unique
Solar
Homes program that works for its members and supporters. Get a
free
quote from Sungevity’s professionals to repower underscore your
home simply and hassle-free. $0-down, fully prepaid lease, and
full-purchase options are available. Each home is different, so visit
our Solar Homes page
for things to consider when purchasing or leasing solar and
compare your
options. When you go solar with Sungevity you receive a $750 cash
gift card and Sierra Club receives $750.
Request
your quote now and find out how solar is more affordable than
ever.
 Join
Bottle Bill on Tour!
Bottle Bill, our 7-foot tall lovable mascot, will be traveling the
state in the coming weeks. Can you help Bill when he comes to a nearby
community? Email
phil@sierraclubmass.org if you can give a few hours on a weekday
or weekend. Please send your address and days-times available.
Committee Meetings
 Boston
Inner City Outings
Tues. July 17, 2012, 7-8pm
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street, Boston
Use 294 Washington St. entrance
Will meet in 4th floor conference room
Sierra Club Inner City Outings (ICO) is a community outreach
program that provides opportunities for urban youth and adults to
explore, enjoy and protect the natural world. It provides safe, fun,
and educational outdoor experiences to youth that would not otherwise
have access to these opportunities. Join us at this meeting for a new
volunteer orientation. It is required for all new volunteers, and is a
great way to learn more about ICO activities and our mission of
bringing kids outside. After the orientation, you'll be able to
participate in upcoming trips with kids. Rucker Alex, Chair,
bostonico@gmail.com
More info and sample trip reports:
www.bostonico.org
Don Mallinson's New Net Zero House In Falmouth
Wednesday July 25, 2012, 7 - 8:30pm
UUFF, 840 Sandwich Road, East Falmouth
(call 508-457-0449 if you need directions)
Upcoming Meetings: Joint Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (UUFF)
Green Sanctuary/Adult Education Programs occur every month and are
co-sponsored by the CC&I Group- Sierra Club
Don will describe the construction of his new house in Falmouth
which has solar panels on the roof and energy efficient features that
allow it to be net zero during most of the year. His electric meter
runs backwards and NSTAR owes him money during parts of the year. He
has shifted these credits to his daughter. Following his presentation
he will take the names of audience members who would like to tour his
new home. Only meeting participants will be elgible for this tour. For
further information, contact David Dow (head of GSC)
ddow420@comcast.net or
508-540-7142, or Robert Murphy (CC&I Group Chair)
murphydalzell@aol.com
or 508-457-0449. Free and open to the public.
Thoreau Group Executive Committee Meeting
Tuesday July 3, 2012, 7:00pm
Location: TBD (in Concord), Contact group chair for location
The Thoreau Group executive committee meets the first Tuesday of the
month. Group meetings are free and open to Sierra Club members.
This group consists of Concord and
11
neighboring towns. Meetings focus on local initiatives, building awareness
of and support for Sierra Club programs and capacity building through
town team development. Launa Zimmaro, Group Chair
launa@zimmaro.com
Greater Boston Group Executive Committee Meeting
Tuesday July 10, 2012, 7pm
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street #632, Boston
Regular business meeting of the local greater Boston Sierra Club group
- roughly within Rte 128. We look forward to enthusiastic environmentalists
and members attending! Contact
karen-ibew@excite.com. This is a free event.
 Chapter
Political Committee
Wed. July 17, 2012, 6:30pm
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street #632, Boston
Politicos, Activists, Organizers, Bloggers, People who like to breathe
clean air... the Sierra Club needs YOU! Do you want to make sure we elect
politicians who want to protect the environment? Do you enjoy politics
and want to make a difference in elections? The Sierra Club needs your
help! The Chapter Political Committee endorses and supports environmental
candidates in local, state, and national elections. This meeting would
be a great opportunity to see what the Political Committee does. Contact
cpc@sierraclubmass.org
Massachusetts Chapter Executive Committee Meeting
Sun. July 22, 2012, 11:30am-2:30pm
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street #632, Boston
Use 294 Washington St. entrance
Free and open to all Sierra Club members. Ask questions, make suggestions,
find out what you can do. Learn whether your state senator and representative
are environmental leaders. Hear updates on the chapter's varied work to
protect the environment. For details contact Dan Proctor; see
contacts
page for email address.
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We Need Your Support!
We depend on your generous direct support
of our statewide initiatives
 including
working towards a clean energy future, curbing climate change and advocating
for critical environmental legislation.
Click here to donate
Do You Have Unused Electronics Lying Around?
Check out the Sierra Club's new e-cycling opportunity in partnership with
Causes International. "Up-cycle" your unused electronics responsibly and
donate to the Sierra Club at the same time!
Click here to get started
Other Mass
Chapter Pages
Facebook:
Mass Chapter
Worcester
Framingham
Beyond Coal Mass.
Ban Plastic Bags
Bottle Bill
Blogs
Cape Cod & Islands
Beyond Coal
Twitter
@MassSierraClub
@MassBottleBill
@BeyondCoalMA
@banbags
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways you can get involved
with the Sierra Club's activities.
Click here for more information.
Twitter Expert:
Can you help @MassSierraClub get more followers?
Political Field Work:
Help elect green candidates! Work in a number of campaigns and on pol
research.
And there are many more ways to get involved.
Click here for
more.
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The
Sierra Club is the nation's largest and oldest grassroots organization
with 1.4 million members and supporters, 22,000 of which are here in Massachusetts.
We fight for clean air, clean water, the preservation of the Commonwealth's
most precious natural spaces, and healthy, vibrant communities.