YOUTH LED AMHERST CLIMATE JUSTICE ALLIANCE LAUNCHES WITH PLANS TO ACCELERATE CLIMATE ACTION

On Saturday, February 11th, the newly founded Amherst Climate Justice Alliance (ACJA) held a kickoff event at the Jones Library in Amherst to introduce the alliance of over 10 local organizations working for climate, racial and economic justice.

Panelists at the event included State Representative Mindy Domb, Sunrise Movement National Organizer Haven Vincent-Warner, and Jesse Selman of the Amherst Energy and Climate Action Committee. Marisol Pierce Bonifaz MC’d the panel, while Julian Hynes and Russ Vernon-Jones introduced the alliance and its mission.

Over 50 people, with intergenerational voices ranging nearly a century, attended the event and brought many questions, ideas, and suggestions. The initial half hour featured climate art, a pollinator-friendly gardening activity, an induction cooktop demonstration of the new kits available for loan at Jones, and information packets about the ACJA’s member organizations were also offered. 
Darcy DuMont, representing Zero Waste Amherst on the ACJA, said “I am heartened that the ACJA is focusing on the town providing more dedicated funding and staffing to fulfill our bold climate justice goals. Let’s make sure we take advantage of all the funding opportunities coming our way.” 
Julian Hynes, a representative of Sunrise Amherst added “It is clear these priorities the ACJA has set forth are what our townspeople want when many elected officials, members on local boards, committees, and activist groups attend our event and try to use the lens the ACJA is using in their lives. We hope the elected leaders of our town will see this and reflect our goals in their budgeting priorities.” 

The Amherst Climate Justice Alliance (ACJA) is a coalition of activist groups that are comprised of Sunrise Amherst, Mothers Out Front, Zero Waste Amherst, Sunrise UMASS, Extinction Rebellion, Jewish Community of Amherst Green Team, Earth Ministry Team of 1st Church Amherst-UCC, Progressive Coalition of Amherst, Green Sanctuary Committee, and Climate Action Now. ACJA advocates for reduced greenhouse gas emissions in our building, transportation, energy, and waste sectors as well as increased carbon sequestration, while at the same time promoting climate justice here and in communities our emissions impact. It seeks to support a positive, uplifting, non-extractive economy that will benefit our youth and future generations. Acknowledging that the effects of climate change disproportionately affect marginalized communities, ACJA’s advocacy seeks to empower and lift up all voices.

These next few years are crucial in shaping how climate activism and policy will look, and we are always looking for more people to help us join the battle. If you are affiliated with an organization that wants to help fight the climate crisis in Amherst and beyond please consider joining us! Email us at amherstclimatejusticealliance@gmail.com. 



Amherst MA Climate Action Update - February 2023

What’s on the Town Council and Town Committees' agendas this month?
  • Waste, recycling and compost bylaw at Town Services and Outreach Committee meeting - Feb. 23
  • Community Choice (Electricity) Aggregation updates at Valley Green Energy Working Group meetings, plan to submit application by March
  • Solar Bylaw Working Group updates and working group meetings on solar assessment, town survey
  • New zero energy school building debt exclusion override vote next steps, townwide vote on May 2
  • Sustainability Dept. budget request for Energy Officer and staff for new Sustainability Dept.
  • Climate Action, Adaptation and Resilience Plan ongoing implementation as per Manager goals
  • Rental Registration Zoning Bylaw - climate considerations - in Town Council, Community Resources Committee

            See written public comments to the Town Council
            See votes taken at Town Council meetings (these appear the day after the meeting)
            See biweekly Town Manager report to the Council, including sustainability actions

Local climate activist groups are advocating to:

Amherst Climate Justice Alliance (Includes all the activist organizations below) meetings first and third Thurs, 7 p.m., zoom for member organizations.
  • Accelerate CAARP and Amherst Town Manager 2023 climate action goal implementation; score the Manager’s performance
  • Increase climate commitment in FY24 policy, budget and staffing; Support current staffing request
  • Stress need for climate lens/electrification in town building retrofits (HVAC systems, roofs, insulation), vehicle and equipment purchases
  • Support the use of natural turf in Amherst 

           Increase/create an intersectional climate action budget for Amherst


Climate Action Now Western MA: meetings first Mondays, 7 p.m., zoom

  •     Convert buildings from gas and oil heat to electric
  •     Build CCA and local renewable energy sources
  •    Implement Induction Stove Lending at Jones Library
  •    Ensure implementation of ZeroEnergyAmherst Municipal Building bylaw

Local Energy Advocates: meetings third Tuesdays, 7 pm, zoom
  •   Support the launch of Valley Green Energy (CCA)
  •   Provide donation and volunteer opportunities for GhG reducing area projects
  •   Induction Cookstove Lending Library launched
  •   Heat pump hot water heaters for Habitat for Humanity homes
  •  Stipends for members of the Community Advisory Committee for the CCA

Official town climate goals, plans
  • Town climate action goals - adopted 11/2019
  • Town Climate Action, Adaptation and Resilience Plan - presented June, 2021
  • Town Solid Waste Master Plan - presented 2017

Climate Action related town department/committees
  • Sustainability Department - Stephanie Ciccarello, Director 
  • Energy And Climate Action Committee - meetings alternate Wed, 4:30 - zoom
  • Solar Bylaw Working Group
  • Valley Green Alliance Working Group
  • Elementary School Building Committee
  • Jones Library Sustainability Committee
  • Transportation Advisory Committee

~ Darcy Dumont