Environmental Advocates Demand Urgent Action on
Climate Justice in Boston
Boston, MA — Environmental advocates will deliver over 1,800 petition signatures to Boston city councillors demanding that they pass a reinforced and updated Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) that includes a review board with ⅔ community stakeholder oversight and that environmental benefits are kept local. Environmental justice activists gathering on City Hall Plaza next to the Government Center MBTA station entrance on September 20 at 11:00 a.m. The updated BERDO 2.0 ordinance will reduce the climate impact of large buildings, improve indoor air quality, and support reliable jobs in Boston. The group will be received by City Councilor Matt O’Malley.
Petition delivery at Boston City Hall Plaza
Environmental justice activists, including:
City Councilor Matt O’Malley
Representative from City Councilor Lydia Edward’s office
Members of the Green Justice Coalition
Alternatives for Community & Environment – Sofia Owen, Staff Attorney & Director of EJ Legal Services; Emmanuell De Barros, Director of Development & Community Engagement
Boston Climate Action Network
Luisa de Paula Santos, Community Labor United
Mothers Out Front
Sierra Club
Clean Water Action
Monday, September 20, 11:00 a.m.
Where: Boston City Hall
1 City Hall Square #500, Boston, MA 02201
Why:
Community organizations of Green Justice Coalition and other environmental advocates are concerned that fewer than 3% of Boston buildings are currently responsible for over half of all citywide emissions. These are Boston’s hospitals, universities, labs, hotels and corporate offices.
Boston must take urgent action to significantly reduce its carbon emissions by 2030 to avoid the worst effects of climate change such as storms, flooding, and warming temperatures. Existing energy efficiency regulations on these buildings are not strong enough. Updating the current ordinance will redirect funds to invest in the community, create reliable jobs and reduce impacts of climate change from the largest and most polluting buildings in the city.
The new ordinance will improve air quality, clean up the buildings, create over 500 jobs, and create a fund overseen by a review board with ⅔ community stakeholders. The ordinance is also designed to blunt the impact of climate change on the communities in Boston most vulnerable to heat waves, flooding, and exorbitant energy bills, most notably low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
In support of this ordinance, the Green Justice Coalition is leading a petition delivery action demanding that the city pass a reinforced and updated city ordinance that will not only create cleaner and healthier buildings in Boston, but also provide better air quality, affordable housing, and improved environmental quality for low-income communities and communities of color.
View the coalition’s live petition here
About Green Justice Coalition
The Green Justice Coalition (GJC) is a partnership of community-based, environmental, and labor allies who lead campaigns that have a meaningful impact on working-class people and communities of color. Together, our members organize and advocate for a just transition to a sustainable economy that allows our communities to achieve environmental and economic justice.