Nov

Forests for our Future:

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Google Calendar ICS

The Role of Massachusetts Forests in Combating Climate Change (Part III)

Massachusetts is unique in being both among the most populated and most forested states. Residents of the Commonwealth look to forests for so much: from wood to water, from walking trails to wildlife.

Recently, we added climate stabilization to the list. Massachusetts is now legislatively committed to reaching “Net Zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Forests are expected to put the “Net” into this “Net Zero” goal. According to the legislation, forest carbon sequestration (sometimes called "negative emissions”) can be counted to offset up to 15% of the emissions reduction goal. Is this a good idea? Is it even possible? How can we influence forests’ ability to sequester and store carbon?

Dr. Jonathan Thompson at Harvard Forest will discuss these questions in the context of long-term forest ecosystem dynamics and try to understand the role of Massachusetts forests in combating climate change.

Attend this free event in person at First Parish in Lincoln,
4 Bedford Rd, Lincoln, Mass.
-or -
CLICK HERE at 7 PM on 11/12 to watch this program live
(You can log in using the button in the upper right corner of the screen and follow the instructions if you’ve never used this platform before to set up an account. This will allow you to enter comments in the general chat.)

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Legislative Update: Climate Change Policy for Massachusetts

Oct

9

Legislative Update: Climate Change Policy for Massachusetts

Wednesday, October 9, 2024
7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Google Calendar ICS

Sen. Michael J. Barrett presented an update on the State’s climate policy.
^₍^_more…)

Click here to watch a recording of this program.

Upcoming & Past Programs

MWCS hosts an ongoing regional speaker series that highlights and showcases significant practices, policies, and ideas that move our society towards a more sustainable, equitable, and low-carbon future.

Below is a listing of upcoming programs as well as an archive of past offerings, some with links to recordings and cited sources.

The Role of Massachusetts Forests in Combating Climate Change (Part III)

Sen. Michael J. Barrett presented an update on the State’s climate policy.(more…)

Massachusetts has a mandate to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. To achieve these goals, the State Legislature must now pass legislation on multiple fronts to make this goal a reality.(more…)

Is Massachusetts Ready for Climate Change? (Part I)

Buildings account for 27% of Massachusetts greenhouse gas emissions. Governor Healy’s plan for the sector: “Electrify everything.”

When the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources rolled out new building codes at the end of 2022, they introduced a new Specialized Code, intended to help meet the state’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.(more…)

Learn why some cooks are switching from gas to induction cooking.

In recent years, many local towns have created roles for sustainability specialists. These professionals lead and coordinate their town’s sustainability initiatives and help to raise awareness about environmental issues. (more…)

What is the relationship between climate change and social justice?

How can residents of the suburbs most effectively take action to promote greater climate equity?(more…)

The food we eat, where we buy it, and how that food is grown affects our health and that of the planet. Approximately one-third of total human-made greenhouse gas emissions are linked to our food system.(more…)

Listen to a livestream from First Parish in Lincoln, where Bill McKibben reads from his latest book, The Flag, The Cross, and the Station Wagon.(more…)

with Matt Honkonen of East Coast Solar(more…)

with Steve Breit, cofounder of HeatSmart Alliance(more…)

with Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director, Just Zero(more…)

Featuring Larry Chretien, Executive Director of Green Energy Consumers Alliance (more…)

with Claudia Thompson, Founder, Grow Native Massachusetts (more…)

but were afraid to Ask!

“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” (more…)

Part 2: The House perspective with Rep. Jeffrey Roy

Join Rep. Jeffrey Roy and Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch for this discussion of proposed climate and energy legislation being considered during this session at the State House. We anticipate an active Q&A period. (more…)

Part 1: The Senate Perspective with Sen. Michael Barrett

Join State Senator Mike Barrett and Professor Chris Knittel from MIT for an overview and discussion of proposed climate and energy legislation being considered during this session at the Statehouse. (more…)

Let’s green our gifting, downshift the décor, and compost the cookie crumbs! (more…)

Going beyond installing a programmable thermostat and some insulation in the attic… (more…)

Speakers will include Dr. Laurel Schaider, Senior Scientist, Silent Spring Institute and Laura Spark, Senior Policy Advocate for Clean Water Action. The program will be moderated by Elizabeth Saunders, Massachusetts State Director at Clean Water. (more…)

… restoring biodiversity, one yard at a timewith Renowned entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware (more…)

… and Why Massachusetts Residents Should Support Itwith Amber Hewett from the National Wildlife Federation. (more…)

with Kirste Pecci, Director, Zero Waste Project, Conservation Law Foundation (more…)

with MA Senator Michael Barrett (more…)

Sen. Michael J. Barrett presented an update on the State’s climate policy.
^₍^_more…)

Massachusetts has a mandate to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. To achieve these goals, the State Legislature must now pass legislation on multiple fronts to make this goal a reality.
^₍^_more…^₎

When the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources rolled out new building codes at the end of 2022, they introduced a new Specialized Code, intended to help meet the state’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
^₍^_more…^₎

In recent years, many local towns have created roles for sustainability specialists. These professionals lead and coordinate their town’s sustainability initiatives and help to raise awareness about environmental issues.
^₍^_more…^₎

How can residents of the suburbs most effectively take action to promote greater climate equity?
^₍^_more^_…)

The food we eat, where we buy it, and how that food is grown affects our health and that of the planet. Approximately one-third of total human-made greenhouse gas emissions are linked to our food system.
^₍^_more…^₎

Listen to a livestream from First Parish in Lincoln, where Bill McKibben reads from his latest book, The Flag, The Cross, and the Station Wagon.
^₍^_more…^₎

with Matt Honkonen of East Coast Solar
^₍^_more…^₎

with Steve Breit, cofounder of HeatSmart Alliance
^₍^_more…^₎

with Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director, Just Zero
^₍^_more…^₎

Featuring Larry Chretien, Executive Director of Green Energy Consumers Alliance
^₍^_more…^₎

with Claudia Thompson, Founder, Grow Native Massachusetts
^₍^_more…^₎

“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” ^₍^_more…^₎

Join Rep. Jeffrey Roy and Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch for this discussion of proposed climate and energy legislation being considered during this session at the State House. We anticipate an active Q&A period. ^₍^_more…^₎

Join State Senator Mike Barrett and Professor Chris Knittel from MIT for an overview and discussion of proposed climate and energy legislation being considered during this session at the Statehouse. ^₍^_more…^₎

Let’s green our gifting, downshift the décor, and compost the cookie crumbs! ^₍^_more…^₎

Going beyond installing a programmable thermostat and some insulation in the attic… ^₍^_more…^₎

Speakers will include Dr. Laurel Schaider, Senior Scientist, Silent Spring Institute and Laura Spark, Senior Policy Advocate for Clean Water Action. The program will be moderated by Elizabeth Saunders, Massachusetts State Director at Clean Water. ^₍^_more…^₎

… restoring biodiversity, one yard at a time
with Renowned entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware ^₍^_more…^₎

… and Why Massachusetts Residents Should Support It
with Amber Hewett from the National Wildlife Federation. ^₍^_more…^₎

with Kirste Pecci, Director, Zero Waste Project, Conservation Law Foundation ^₍^_more…^₎

with MA Senator Michael Barrett ^₍^_more…^₎