SCJC was formed in 2014 by several Springfield based orgs out of growing concern for the future of our public health and safety due to the effects of climate change. We believe that together we can envision Springfield as a city in which people of all ages breathe clean air every day of the year! The Springfield Climate Justice Coalition currently consists of:
Arise for Social Justice; Climate Ac
tion NOW; Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition; Partners for Healthier Community; Campaign Nonviolence; BayState Brightwood Health Center; The Social Justice Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Mass; U.U. of Greater Springfield; Pioneer Valley Project; Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church; Co-op Power; Women on the Vanguard; Keep Springfield Beautiful; North End Concerned Residents; Gardening the Community; W. Mass Recovery Learning Community-Bowen Resource Center; W. Mass Jobs with Justice; Neighbor to Neighbor, Out Now, Men of Color Health Awareness, Christ Church Cathedral, the Armory Quadrangle Civic Association, and the Integrative Health Group of Springfield. On October 20th 2014, one month after 400,000 people marched in New York for action on climate change, environmental activists in the valley marched to Springfield City Hall and watched the Springfield City Council UNANIMOUSLY pass the Springfield Climate Action Resolution, put together by the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition and our city’s Green Commission. Now, nearly a year after this monumental victory, Springfield has taken the first steps to frame a Climate Action Plan. The main component of the resolution urges Mayor Domenic Sarno to further the creation and implementation of a climate action plan consistent with the city’s environmental priorities by hiring or designating at least one full time staff person to work exclusively on;
1.) assessing our preparedness for climate change mitigation and adaptation,
2.) coordinating all city efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in industry, transportation, agriculture, waste, energy generation, and commercial/residential fuel consumption,
3.) drawing on the resources of Springfield residents, agencies and community organizations to improve our environment through an inclusive and democratic process,
4.) developing and promoting community education about options for improving Springfield’s environment,
5.) coordinating with all relevant regional, state and national agencies, and
6.) pursuing all relevant private, state and federal funding opportunities to improve Springfield’s environment.
