Inspiration
The Massuchusetts Power Shift conference of Spring 2008 was modeled after the nationwide which gathered 5,500 student activists in the largest climate change lobbying event in U.S. history . Inspired and empowered from the event, many students returned to Massachusetts ready to create change in their own communities. The seeds of a vision were set.
The Conference
Launched by the MAPS Planning Team of over 60 people working over 4 months and supported by almost 100 climate, energy, economic justice, and community organizations, MAPS aimed to show that every sector of society is needed in solving global warming. We gathered in Boston for a weekend of speakers, trainings, and lobbying working to pass the Global Warming Solutions Act and to grow a diverse movement for "climate solutions, green jobs & green justice." With socializing events, open group discussions, and nightly dance parties, it turned out to be both an informative and fun weekend for everyone involved.
The ultimate demands of the conference stopped nothing short of paradigm shift, but our top three accomplishments were:
1) Focus on passing legislation in the state of Massachusetts.
The Lobby Day focused on passing legislation for the state of Massachusetts (the Global Warming Solutions Act), which successfully passed the State House on July 30th, 2008, committing Massachusetts to 80% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by the year 2050, and up to 25% below 1990 levels by 2020.
2) Broaden beyond students to include community members across the state.
Power Shift 2007 was a phenomenal success for the youth climate movement, but the youth climate movement is just one part of the climate movement. With the 2008 Massachusetts Power Shift conference, we included community members of all ages as we are one people pushing for the same solutions to the same problems.
3) Empower attendees to take the next steps in their communities.
State legislation and state action is both important and necessary. But we must have action at every level - federal, state, and local - if we are to succeed in this monumental challenge. Our conference attendees returned home empowered, trained, and inspired to take action at the local level.
April 11th-14th 2008, Boston, MA
Over a blur of four full days at Boston University and the Boston Convention Center, a crowd of over 400 enjoyed a weekend of empowerment.
Saturday morning started out early and rainy, but cleared up nicely for morning workshops lead by top environmental groups. With two sessions of 50 workshops each, there was plenty to learn about with good discussions arising from the “small-group intimacy.”
Every night, conference-goers headed over to the Boston Convention Center for keynotes and panels from activist, political, and religious leaders. There was a stunning amount of influence present, with credentials across the board like Senator John Kerry (D-MA) & Congressman Markey (D-MA), former CIA Director James Woolsley, and over 20 others. Some had written books, some ran organizations, but everyone was filled with the hope of a new generation of leadership. The nightly speakers filled a jam-packed weekend with knowledge and empowerment. Check out their materials! (Coming soon)
Sunday featured trainings on lobbying and campaign leadership under close guidance with our partner student group MassPIRG, followed by a concert and rally on the common with Boston’s own “Soul’n’roll” band Melodeego.
The weekend culminated in a day of lobbying (and cookies) to demand legislator action on the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act which would reduce Carbon emissions in the state to levels necessary to slow the “tipping point” effects of climate change impacts. Together with community organizing action earlier in the conference, our legislative push rounded out and strengthened the conference as a force to be reckoned with!