Boston Climate Action Network

By Sara Driscoll

For BostonCAN, fixing gas leaks is about much more than the leaks alone—it’s about moving away from fossil fuel infrastructure toward a clean energy future. It is deeply connected to movement to stop pipelines and invest in renewables and good jobs. As much as these issues affect all of us, when we talk about them it can be difficult not to get into a rabbit hole of technical terms and policy “wonkishness.”

As part of our efforts to communicate the relevance of these issues to communities across the city, BostonCAN members spent the summer and performing a Cantastoria, a medieval street theater piece telling the story of the health, safety and environmental dangers of gas leaks, their costs to consumers, in the midst of a larger struggle against pipelines and for clean, reliable energy and good jobs, all in 5 minutes!

Check out our cantastoria video.

We performed at community events including Elma Lewis Playhouse in Franklin Park; the East Boston farmer’s market; a community street party organized by NOAH (Neighborhood of Affrodable Housing), also in East Boston; the Mass College of Art Green Festival; and at the 30^th birthday celebration for Boston’s oldest gas leak on Park Drive. And, this past November we had the honor of performing it at the rally before the legislative hearing for two gas leak bills we have been working with our allies, Clean water Action, HEET, Mothers Out front, and Sierra Club to pass.

We are always looking for new people to get involved in our performances!  If you are interested, let us know at bostonclimateaction@gmail.com.