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In Boston, African Americans represent 24% of the population but account for only 12% to 14% of the workforce on large construction projects, according to a report from Climate Jobs Massachusetts. (Adobe Stock)

MA labor groups tackle climate crisis, income inequality

Massachusetts labor leaders say the state can meet its ambitious climate goals while creating quality jobs in communities facing the greatest threats …

Scientists say in order to avert the worst effects of climate change, global temperature increase must be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius and emissions cut by 45% by 2030 to reach net zero by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Scientists reconsider net-zero pledges to reach climate goals

By Stephen Battersby for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Commonwealth News Service…

Of the nearly 2.5 million people living within the 78 coastal communities in Massachusetts, roughly 55% are in state-designated Environmental Justice Block Groups, communities of color and low-income populations dealing with the effects of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

Federal funds help build Boston’s climate-ready workforce

The City of Boston has been awarded nearly $10 million in federal funding to help build a Climate-Ready Workforce. More than 1,000 people will …

Federal regulators are considering the effects modernizing America's energy grid will have on wildlife. A 2023 NatureServe report showed 40% of animals are at risk of extinction and 41% of ecosystems are at risk of range-wide collapse. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New transmission planning rule takes MA wildlife into account

Conservation groups in Massachusetts are backing the Biden Administration's new plan to update the nation's power grid. Studies show the U.S…

Massachusetts has been losing roughly 5,000 acres of forest each year to housing and industrial development as well as large-scale solar power installations, according to Mass Audubon. (Adobe Stock)

MA reforestation plan aims to counter urban heat islands

A proposed urban reforestation program in Massachusetts aims to help cities mitigate the effects of climate change. Legislation would create a state …

Studies show a correlation between ample tree canopy in urban areas and reduced heat-related ambulance calls during extreme heat events. (Adobe Stock)

New online tool helps Boston grow tree equity

A new online tool is helping community groups in Boston ensure all neighborhoods reap the benefits from urban tree canopies. The Tree Equity Score …

More than 6,000 blue economy businesses in Massachusetts employ a total of 100,000 individuals, who earn nearly $4 billion in annual wages. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers, scientists advocate for MA’s 'blue economy'

Lawmakers and scientists in Massachusetts are working to bolster the state's growing "blue economy." Several pieces of legislation aim to create a "b…

Lawmakers and environmental groups celebrate creation of the American Climate Corps. It's part of the Biden administration's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that have been overburdened by pollution. (Office of Sen. Ed Markey)

Lawmakers, youth activists celebrate creation of American Climate Corps

A new federal jobs program aims to mobilize tens of thousands of young Americans to address the growing threats of climate change. The American …

All We Can Save Circles is a conversation initiative created by Katharine Wilkinson, who co-edited an anthology book of the same name. (Hell's Backbone Grill/Instagram)

Conversation Groups Spring Up about Climate Change

By Katherine Rapin for Nexus Media News.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Netwo…

Burning wood releases fine particulate matter, which is easily inhaled and can lodge deep in the lungs, where it can cause chronic heart and lung disease and trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks, and premature death. (Adobe Stock)

Bills Aim to Close Biomass Loopholes in MA Clean Energy Laws

Environmental and community health advocates in Massachusetts are backing new legislation they say will close loopholes in the state's clean energy la…

A new report finds the 11 private colleges and universities of western Massachusetts alone contribute $3.3 billion annually to the regional economy, and are often the largest single employer and procurer of goods and services in many communities. (Adobe Stock)

Study Reveals Impact of Private Colleges, Universities on MA Economy

Private colleges and universities across Massachusetts have a more than $70 billion annual impact on the Commonwealth, according to a new report…

The U.S. military has released 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere since the War on Terror began in 2001, despite military leaders citing climate change as a national security threat. (WRL)<br />

War Tax Resisters Redirect Money Towards Peace

Tax Day is quickly approaching April 18 but some Massachusetts residents will resist paying their federal taxes as a war protest. War tax resistance…

Former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed a landmark climate law in 2021 which requires utilities like Eversource and National Grid to increase their renewable-energy portfolio by at least 3% every year. (Adobe Stock)

Boston Moves to Implement Climate-Friendly Building Code

Boston is set to become the eighth and largest city in the Commonwealth to implement a new state climate-friendly building code to reduce the use of f…

According to Extinction Rebellion, at least eight activists have been arrested at the construction site of the East Boston substation since Eversource began work on January 11. (Extinction Rebellion)

Protests, Construction Continue at East Boston Substation

Environmental activists are calling on Gov. Maura Healy to end construction of the Eversource electrical substation in East Boston, and move it to …

New England enjoys a diverse climate that is not often associated with drought. Yet in 2000, 2016, 2020 and 2022, New York and the six New England states experienced historic drought conditions not seen since the 1960s. (Adobe Stock)

New England Coordinates Regional Response to Climate Change

The six New England states are joining forces to ensure their emergency responders are well-trained to handle a predicted increase in the number of cl…

The Environmental Protection Agency proposes to lower the annual soot standards from 12 mcg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air) to a range of 9-10 mcg/m3, despite the agency's independent Scientific Advisory Committee recommending a standard between 8-10 mcg/m3.(Adobe Stock)

EPA Encouraged to Strengthen Air-Quality Standards for Soot

Environmental and health advocates say the Environmental Protection Agency's most recent proposal to strengthen national air-quality standards for soo…

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is working to identify cost-effective ways to ensure the state reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 85% by 2050 and achieves net-zero emissions. (Adobe Stock)

MA Leads Nation in 'Green' Building Development

Massachusetts ranks number one in the nation for "green" building development. The ranking is based on what's known as LEED certification, which is …

Unburned gas from stoves and building pipelines collected in the greater Boston area contained twenty-one different hazardous air pollutants known as volatile organic compounds, including benzene, which increases risks for asthma, cancer, and other illnesses. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ventilation Key to Reducing Health Risks from Gas-Burning Stoves

The health risks associated with gas-burning stoves have caused a recent stir and unfounded fears of a government ban on the appliances, but …

The state of Massachusetts is soliciting proposals for 5,600 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2027, a vast increase from the 1,600 megawatt goal in the 2016 Act to Promote Energy Diversity.(Adobe Stock)

MA Working Through Fishing Industry Concerns About Offshore Wind

With many states working on becoming more carbon-neutral, Massachusetts is looking to offshore wind for its sustainable future. According to a 2021 …

Much like coal and oil, woody biomass is a carbon-burning form of energy production that emits carbon dioxide. (Adobe Stock)

Massachusetts Helping Turn Tide on Biomass Energy

Clean-energy advocates are hopeful Massachusetts' leadership on fighting biomass pollution will drive change in other states and nations. The Bay …

A bill before the General Assembly would mean wood-burning power plants can no longer be categorized as renewable. (Andrei Merkulov/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups: Time is Now to End Biomass Subsidies

Proposed legislation would end subsidies for wood-burning power plants in Massachusetts by removing biomass as an eligible fuel source for the Commonw…

When drivers fill up their tanks in Massachusetts, they pay 24 cents per gallon to the state and a little more than 18 cents per gallon to the federal government. (blackday/Adobe Stock)

MA Ballot Initiative to Ban Fuel Tax Gets Pushback

BOSTON -- Advocates for clean transportation are fighting a proposed ballot initiative, which would prevent Massachusetts from taxing gas and other …

July 2020 was the hottest recorded month in Boston, and climate planners predict it's a record that could be broken often in the future. (Paolese/Adobe Stock)

MA Climate Planner Warns of Extreme Summer Heat

BOSTON -- More and more summer days in Massachusetts are reaching temperatures above 90 degrees, and climate resiliency planners say the trend is …

The landmark climate bill signed into law last month, among other measures, prioritizes decarbonizing buildings, which currently represent about 30% of the Commonwealth's emissions. (Adobe Stock)

MA Groups Look to Build on Landmark Climate Bill This Earth Day

BOSTON -- This Earth Day, as President Joe Biden convenes a climate summit with world leaders, Massachusetts environmentalists hope federal efforts …

The Merrimack River Watershed has been identified by the U.S. Forest Service as one of the most threatened watershed areas due to forest land development. (Kenneth/Adobe Stock)

MA Conservationists: Protect Riverfront Forests to Improve Water Quality

LAWRENCE, Mass. -- The U.S. Forest Service is partnering with a group of agencies and nonprofits to conserve water quality and forest health in the …

Massachusetts is part of an effort to make the feds regulate methane waste, which is linked to climate change. The state is hoping to reduce the number of powerful storms that pound the coastline. (Erin McDaniel/Wikimedia Commons)

MA Asks Court To Stop EPA Stalling on Methane Waste Rules

BOSTON -- Massachusetts and 15 other states and cities are asking a federal judge to force the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate methane emi…

It's estimated that globally, about 2,220 metric tons of mercury are emitted each year. (Denny Franzkowiak/Pixabay)

Harvard Prof.: EPA Off-Base with New Mercury Rule Analysis

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The Environmental Protection Agency says air-pollution controls placed in 2016 on mercury emitted from coal-fired power plants …

State health officials say in addition to wearing proper clothing and using repellent, Massachusetts residents should take steps to keep mosquitoes away from in and around the home. (Alvesgaspar/Wikipedia)

Many Mass. Communities on High Alert for EEE for Holiday Weekend

BOSTON – State health officials want Massachusetts residents and their visitors to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites during their Labor D…

Scientists say that warmer, drier growing seasons are stunting the growth of sugar maples (Ogden Gigli/Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism).

Analysis Cites Threats to New England Forests from New Endangered Species Act Rules

BOSTON – A new analysis by Defenders of Wildlife shows that New England could be hard hit if the Trump administration’s new Endangered Spe…

The new ACEEE report highlights Boston's zoning regulations that support wind energy systems. (Massachusetts Clean Energy Center)

Boston Ranks No. 1 in National Clean-Energy Report

BOSTON – A new report ranks Boston's clean-energy efforts first in the nation among 75 of the largest U.S. cities. In the 2019 City Clean …

A bipartisan bill pending in Congress, the SAVE Right Whales Act, would provide funding for ropeless gear trials and other right whale research and conservation innovations. (Rusty Elliott/Adobe Stock)

How Lobster-Gear Changes Could Save Right Whales from Extinction

CAPE COD, Mass. – North Atlantic right whales number slightly more than 400 and are facing extinction, including off the shore of Massachusetts…

Smog-creating air pollution from power plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania travels as far north as Massachusetts. (coffee/Pixabay)

Lawsuit Claims New EPA Rule Increases Interstate Smog in New England

BOSTON – Groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency to make it enforce the "Good Neighbor" provisions of the Clean Air Act, …

Mass. has a target of 3.2 GW of offshore wind power by 2035, but advocates hoped for more. (David_Kaspar/Pixabay)

Climate Rallies Challenge Mass. to Do More

WORCESTER, Mass. – On Saturday, Bay Staters will be participating in Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice, an international day of action for …

Environmentalists say raising fuel-efficiency standards helps slow climate change that causes severe weather, flash floods and extreme temperatures. (Schwoaze/Pixabay)

MA Set to Sue EPA to Maintain Fuel-Efficiency Standard

MEDFORD, Mass. – State, city and business leaders say the EPA's plan to freeze the fuel-efficiency standard is bad for public health, the …

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

A 30-Megawatt offshore wind farm, the first in the nation, went into operation off Block Island in 2016. (U.S. Dept. of Energy)

MA Moves Closer to Harvesting Offshore Wind Power

BOSTON – The Bay State has taken a major step toward construction of the nation's first major offshore wind farm. Vineyard Wind has been …

Carmakers can get credit toward meeting emission standards by selling more electric cars. (Joenomias/Pixabay)

Lowered Clean-Car Standards Sure to Meet Legal Challenges

BOSTON - The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it intends to weaken Obama-era fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks…

A study says the state will need up to five fast-charging stations for every 1,000 electric cars. (GuillermoMemo/Pixabay)

Study Provides Map for Switch to Electric Cars

BOSTON – The Bay State is planning on having 300,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025, and a new study outlines how to keep them charged…

A carbon tax could be used to help reduce pollution from carbon-based fuels such as gasoline. (andreas160578/Pixabay)

New Coalition to Fight Carbon Pollution

BOSTON – State lawmakers have launched a multistate coalition to collaborate on legislation to combat carbon pollution. The Carbon Costs …

Extreme weather has caused an estimated half-trillion dollars in damage in the U.S. in 2017. (WikiImages/Pixabay)

Resolving to Fight Climate Change in 2018

BOSTON -- Catastrophic hurricanes, severe flooding and raging wildfires fueled by drought have been prominent features of an eventful year for the …

As Texas and Louisiana deal with floodwaters and other devastation from Hurricane Harvey, Bay Staters will have a chance to learn more about extreme weather events. (Army National Guard)

Extreme Weather Events: "Let's Talk About Them"

BOSTON -- With residents of Texas and Louisiana struggling to recover from what has now been classified as the worst rain event in U.S. history…

The Commonwealth ranks ninth in the nation for a

Bay State's Health Faces "Double Whammy" on Hot Summer Days

BOSTON -- The dog days of summer are not likely to be kind to asthma and allergy sufferers in the Bay State, according to a new report. A mapping …

Multiple Massachusetts groups say President Donald Trump already declared a

Not Much Traction in Bay State for Trump Climate Move

BOSTON – Promising to save trillions of dollars in lost domestic product and millions of industrial jobs, President Donald Trump announced …

Ahead of the G-7 Summit, the Catholic Church announced it's divesting from fossil fuels and coal � a move some Massachusetts churches have already made. (Church of the Covenant)

Catholic Church Follows Bay State's Lead: Fossil Fuel Divestment Before G-7

BOSTON – As world leaders prepare to meet at this week's G-7 summit in Italy, nine Catholic dioceses and religious orders in the U.S. and …

Rallies are planned for Boston Common and across the nation this weekend to mark President Trump's 100 Days in office and take a stand against his efforts to roll back progress on climate change. (Corporate Accountability International)

Trump 100 Days: Protesters Rally over Environment, Jobs

BOSTON – As the president marks 100 days in office, opponents of Trump's policies on climate change and green-energy jobs plan to rally on …

Climate activists used a giant puppet of Gov. Charlie Baker at a

Climate Groups to Gov. Baker: Speak Up, Charlie

BOSTON -- With the Trump budget proposal calling for a 31 percent cut in funding to the EPA, climate activists say states need to stand up for the …

The Dakota Access Pipeline is drawing opposition from tribal, justice and peace activists in New England. (E. Zulaski)

New Englanders Organize Against Dakota Access Pipeline

BOSTON – While the Dakota Access Pipeline is being built thousands of miles away, tribal and social justice activists in New England have been …

Bay State college and university students walk out of class Monday) to protest President Trump's cabinet nominees. (BU Divestment)

Students Double Down on Divestment

BOSTON – As President Trump's Cabinet nominees work their way through the confirmation process, local college students walked out of classes on …

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MA: Climate Change