Mission

The Boston Climate Action Network (BCAN)’s mission is to organize Boston residents and collaborate with other social justice allies to advocate for climate justice and urgent action on the climate emergency by the City of Boston and other policymakers.

History

The Boston Climate Action Network (BCAN) has been organizing since the early 2000s.

2007: Helped convene the first and second “Step It Up” rallies in Boston, leading to the founding of 350.org.

2007-2009: Partnered with ACORN to lead energy efficiency and climate change classes in Dorchester and Mattapan, and to train working-class African Americans and Latinos to lead classes.

2007-2011: Organized Energy Fairs in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Mission Hill, and other neighborhoods to bring energy efficiency resources to neighborhood residents, starting with an energy fair in Fields Corner with remarks by Van Jones.

2008-present: Founding member of the Green Justice Coalition. Convened by Community Labor United, GJC links labor and environmental  with racial and social justice organizations to promote solutions to the climate crisis that serve our mutual organizing goals, beginning with expanding access to, and funding for, energy efficiency programs.

2008-2013: Organized Green Block groups and lead Low Carbon Living groups in Jamaica Plain and Mission Hill, training volunteers to lead groups and share information to help reduce energy use and make more sustainable energy decisions.

2009-2013: Partnered with the Home Energy Efficiency Team to lead energy efficiency skill-building workshops called “barn raisings,” in both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking homes.

2010-2011 : Assisted the City of Boston with energy efficiency outreach through door-to-door outreach for Renew Boston, including training teen leaders at Urban Edge.

2010-2011: Instrumental to the public process that resulted in the City of Boston’s first climate action plan, and remained active in the process of the 2014 expanded plan.

2013-2016: Worked to stop methane leaks from gas pipelines under our street, leading to the successful passage of a Gas Leak Ordinance by the Boston City Council in December, 2016, which will speed up gas leaks repairs.

2016-present: Working to expand access to renewable energy for all Boston residents through the Community Choice Electricity Campaign, formerly called “Community Choice Energy.”

2019-present: Working to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from Boston’s largest buildings with the Green Buildings Campaign. The amendments to the Buildings Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO 2.0) passed Boston City council in fall 2021!

BCAN Board

• Sophie Cash, Former BCAN Advocacy Director
• Jackie Estevez, Teacher and activist
• Judith Foster, Founder of the H.E.R.O. Center
• Loie Hayes, Program Manager, Green Energy Consumers Alliance
• Judy Kolligian, Clinical Social Worker 
• Izzy Watson, Teacher and former BCAN intern
• Michael Weinstein, Retired teacher and union carpenter

Staff

Interns

BCAN is sustained by dozens of active volunteers. Please sign up to volunteer and please join us at one of our action team meetings on the first and third Thursday of every month!

Mailing Address

Boston Climate Action Network
P.O.Box 300984

Jamaica Plain, 02130

Allies and Coalitions

Boston Green New Deal Coalition: civic network of groups and individuals committed to addressing economic, racial, environmental, and climate injustice in Boston using an anti-racist approach. BCAN is on the leadership team and BIPOC groups/members lead the priorities,

Massachusetts Climate Action Network: Fights the climate crisis one town at a time, with the help of local MCAN chapters (including BCAN!). MCAN’s role as a facilitator of municipal-level action is unique among Massachusetts environmental groups.

Boston Clean Energy Coalition: advocating and collaborating across all private, public, and non-profit sectors to accelerate the transition to a clean and green economy in Boston.

Green Justice Coalition: Linking environmentalists, labor unions, and social justice organizations to make sure the green wave lifts all boats.

Mass Power Forward: Believes the unprecedented threat we face is also an unprecedented opportunity to create clean energy jobs, develop sustainable neighborhoods, and clean up our air and water. With our state and federal governments considering multi-billion dollar investments in fossil fuels, now more than ever we need to lead a clean energy revolution from the ground up and show that we can get 100% of our energy from clean sources.

Mothers Out Front: Mothers, grandmothers, and other caregivers coming together to make climate change an issue that our leaders can no longer ignore. Mothers Out Front is building a powerful grassroots movement to ensure a swift, complete, and just transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean and renewable energy.

350 Massachusetts: Dedicated to building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. They engage in online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions led by thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries. 350MA is convened and facilitated by the Better Future Project.

GreeningRozzie: Working for a greener, more sustainable, and more cohesive Roslindale.

Funders

You!: BostonCAN members and community supporters help to reduce Boston’s carbon footprint and advocate for a cleaner, greener, city by making grassroots donations. If you’d like to help keep us in the fight, contribute here!

New World Foundation: Since 1954, NWF has sought to advance civil rights in America. Its core belief that those suffering from injustice are the ones who can best lead social movements has led to its support of local leaders and community-based organizations.

Jampart Charitable Trust

Devonshire Foundation

Fife Cragin Charitable Trust