One phrase from one of my political science professors sticks with me, “politics is the art of the possible.” And indeed, that’s what we’ve seen through the Waxman-Markey process. Good organizing, on the other hand, is the art of creating new political possibilities. By building an organized and powerful constituency that pushes for what is necessary instead of what is currently possible, we create new political realities.
That’s why Massachusetts Power Shift is working to Repower America with 100% clean electricity in the next decade to move us closer to the goal of 350ppm. This summer we’re shifting into high gear with 19 college students giving two months of their time to work with with Mass Climate Summer.
These students are biking through the Commonwealth, building a bigger and bolder movement. Three teams are biking from town to town, knocking on doors, talking with the press, and holding inspiring events across the state because we here in Massachusetts have a special responsibility to lead the country and the world. Massachusetts, after all, is where revolutions begin.
Already we’re starting to see new people engage, as residents across the state light up when someone bikes into town to let them know what they can do. Massachusetts Power Shift has teamed up with the Mass Council of Churches to arrange housing and events for the bikers, and we are partnering with local and regional environmental organizations across the state including Clean Power Now and chapters of the Mass Climate Action Network. And they are captivating the press with the novelty of their work.
So, consider this the introduction to our teams. The Western Mass Team is Steph, Antoine, Jane, Leila and Sam. The Cape Cod and South Shore Team is Heather, Lauren G, Jeff, Courtney, Justin and Vickey. The Cambridge and North Shore Team is Sally, Keane, Lauren T, Wenjun, Lesley, Kyle, Emily and Mark. We’ll be back over the next month bringing some stories from the road and reaction to our message. We have a lot of work to do, so let’s get to it.
For more information on the Mass Climate Summer program, visit www.massclimatesummer.org. For a list of media hits on the program and other Mass Power Shift media clippings, visit www.masspowershift.org/media.
Cross-posted at It’s Getting Hot In Here
Full obvious disclosure: I am the Coordinator of this program.
I can offer you as many as a few dozen cycling/climate folks for local work in my part of MA. Details via email… how to email you directly?
jay [at] massclimatesummer.org