In May the Cambridge City Council passed a resolution recognizing that we are facing a climate emergency. On September 24, the Council held a special hearing on the emergency before a packed chamber. Scientists Melanie Fitzpatrick, Jill Stein, Frank Ackerman and John Sterman spoke on the latest climate findings, the health impacts of climate change, the economics of the emergency, and the urgent need for action. A summary of their presentations is at http://www.energytwodotzero.org/2009/09/26/scientists-speak-out-on-the-climate-emergency/
Now we need to urge the Councillors to take steps that can move the city toward more effective responses to the emergency. The Climate Awareness and Mobilization Working Group, which organized the September 24 hearing, is calling for a Mayor’s climate emergency conference, drawing on all sectors of the city, to develop a new climate plan and concrete actions the city should take–a valuable opportunity to participate in city decision-making. Text of this proposal is posted at:
http://greencambridge.wikispaces.com/message/view/home/14782005
Please contact the Councillors to voice your support for a climate emergency conference and any other measures you believe can help us to fight climate change. This is the most critical issue we face. Let the Councillors know that we cannot afford business as usual – we urgently need to act!
You can send a single email to all of the Councillors at Council@CambridgeMA.GOV. The email addresses and phone numbers of each of the Councillors is at
http://www.cambridgema.gov/ccouncil2.cfm?article_id=62&tnltext=City%20Council%20Members
Please write, or call, or both. Thank you!
Joanna Herlihy for
Climate Awareness and Mobilization Working Group
Tel. 617-864-0506
