Category Archives: Climate

Climate Champions

Climate Champions Fall Update

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Hillary T.

This spring, we launched Climate Champions, a grassroots network of volunteers working together to speak with one collective, powerful voice. With training from policy experts, Climate Champions help advocate for town and state policies that help achieve the state’s goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reverse negative health impacts of climate change for environmental justice communities.   

pic of the state house and a sign in front that says change

How It’s Going

Under the leadership of Community Organizer Heather Packard, we now have 300 Climate Champions signed up and taking action. These champions are all ages and have all levels of experience.

Their first initiative was a June Beacon Hill Lobby Day, where 13 legislators met with groups of champions in person and virtually to find out why we believe it is so important to fund nature-based climate solutions.

June 22 Lobby Day at the State House after meeting with Senator Cyr’s staff. From left: Robert Cohen, Joyce Cohen, Danielle Dolan, Jared Kannel, Carrie Hawthorne, and Heather Packard

Champions also have the opportunity to attend trainings and meet monthly with other Climate Champions in their region as well as statewide monthly calls to learn from Mass Audubon Policy & Advocacy Leadership. For those who couldn’t attend, all meetings are recorded and can be watched anytime!

Each statewide monthly call always has one advocacy action everyone can take to make an impact. So far champions have had the opportunity to:

  • Provide comments to MA Dept of Energy Resources (DOER) speaking up in support of letting cities and towns require fossil-fuel free construction  
  • Weigh in with state Senators to urge them to support investments in open space, recreation, ecological restoration, and climate adaptation in the Economic Development bill. 
  • Create Twitter accounts in preparation for future Action Alerts to state legislators. 
  • Urge the governor to ask him to sign the Climate Bill that would ramp up clean energy production and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. 

What’s Next

Mass Audubon Policy & Advocacy staff are in the process of developing the organization’s legislative and policy priorities for the 2023-2024 legislative session, which runs from January 2023 through the end of July 2024. 

We’re seeking input from all Climate Champions (current and future) on these priorities getting input from all Climate Champions on our state Legislative Priorities for the next session.  

This month, our focus is on getting input on local climate issues and projects for the next year as well as encouraging everyone to vote in collaboration with The Environmental Voter Project. We will also offer a training on how and where to recruit for more Climate Champions. 

Learn More

Everyone can be a Climate Champion–whether you have no time and a lot of experience, or lots of time and no experience, or somewhere in the middle.

Find out more and sign up >

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint One Mile at a Time

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Kaylin D.

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are the largest contributing factor to climate change, and the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that almost 27% of GHG emitted from the United States are caused by transportation. One way to green up your commute: opt for a hybrid or electric vehicle the next time you’re shopping for cars.

Electric v.s. Hybrid

The difference between electric and hybrid boils down to how the car is powered. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) only use an electric motor and a battery. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have both electric and gasoline-powered systems and typically have a range of 25 miles or so per electric charge before it switches to gas.  

A typical hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is similar to a PHEV in the sense that it has both an electric and gas-powered system, but the battery isn’t charged through an outlet. A typical gas-powered car creates energy in the form of heat when using the brakes, but HEVs can capture that energy to charge the battery. 

Different car manufacturers including Tesla, Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota produce a variety of BEV and PHEV options and consumer demand is increasing pressure for more companies to ramp up production. Waitlists are stacking up in the wake of each new model introduced. As of July 2022, Ford had a waitlist with over 200,000 customers for the F-150 Lightning electric truck.  

Electric vehicle charging
Charging Station at Moose Hill

How and Where to Charge Your Vehicle

There are three speed levels to charge an EV. Level 1 (a regular household electric outlet) requires no upfront costs but is the slowest; it can take up to 50 hours for EVs and 6 hours for PHEV to fully charge.  

Level 2, which is most common for residential and public charging stations, can charge an EV in 4-10 hours and a PHEV in 1-2 hours. This level requires a 240-volt power supply for the car to plug into. If you aren’t sure if you have a 240-volt power outlet or if your grid is equipped for one, call you electrician for an assessment of your installation options.  

Level 3, direct current fast charging (DCFC), only takes up to 90 minutes to fully charge and is most commonly available along interstate highways. 

More and more towns and businesses are offering public charging either for free or at a minimal cost. You can even encourage your workplace to install a charger. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) offers several programs that make stations more accessible and the Workplace and Fleet initiative provides businesses in nonresidential areas with a 60% rebate for Level 1 or Level 2 EV charging equipment and installation. 

Electric vehicle charging
Charging Station at Boston Nature Center

How to Buy an EV

The Green Energy Consumers Alliance is a great resource for comparing EVs when shopping for a new vehicle. Their Drive Green site lists several dealers, prices, and charging specifics.   

Before picking out any model, don’t forget to explore potential rebates. Currently, EV buyers may be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, and residents of Massachusetts that buy an EV for less than $55,000 from a licensed dealership in the Commonwealth may receive a state rebate of $3,500. Visit mor-ev.org to learn how to apply and Mass.gov for other state and federal rebate programs. Rebates and credits are subject to change with new laws and legislation, like the recent signing of the Inflation Reduction Act.  

Electric vehicle charging
Charging Station at Moose Hill

EVs at Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is hoping to build a fleet of EVs across the state. We currently own two EVs (Chevy Bolts) and are in the process of replacing additional sedans with EVs and PHEVs. We are also looking into the new electric pick-ups (e.g. the Ford Lightning or Chevy Silverado). 

In the meantime, we know many of our staff and sanctuary visitors already have EVs and PHEVs and need a place to charge while at our properties. We have 19 Level 2 charging stations available for visitors and staff located at 15 wildlife sanctuaries around the state, with each plug providing about 25 miles of driving range for every hour of charging time for an average EV.  The electricity powering the cars at all our sanctuaries is also sustainable, sourced from solar panels and other green resources.

To learn more about the myths and facts about owning an EV, visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Vehicle Guide.