Why MAPS is great:
John Kerry
United States Senator
"Massachusetts Power Shift will help keep our state a leader in green technology. MAPS gives people from every walk of life the chance to get involved in saving our planet. By working together we can ensure that Massachusetts adopts practices that lead to lower energy costs, a cleaner, healthier environment and a more sustainable future.”
Sam Waterston
Actor, Law & Order
"MAPS is just the ticket for right now. At this moment, we can't be passengers, and MAPS is a prime example of ordinary citizens getting out of the car of politics to give it a much needed push. The paradox of democratic politics is, elected officials can't lead until the people know where they're going. MAPS is citizens taking the initiative on the challenge that dwarfs all others: to head off the worst effects of Climate Change. Lots of good people in government at all levels already know it must take immediate, careful, forward-looking, action, while there is time, but can't make it happen without a big push from us. MAPS offers to help you stiffen their spines. The bill MAPS is backing can show that, along with more of all four of the elements of life, more breathable air, more clean water, more good land, more careful use of fire, making the world safe for the environment again can also mean more jobs, more business, better conditions in which to live. It's time and past time that sensible people who have looked down the road permit --- and oblige --- their elected representatives to deal with what we all can see coming. MAPS has all the earmarks of a golden opportunity."
Carl Pope
Executive Director, Sierra Club
"Massachusetts Power Shift is a phenomenal opportunity for citizens across the state of Massachusetts to directly engage in finding solutions to our Climate Crisis. Combining direct lobbying experience at the conference around important state legislation with workshops enabling citizens to return to their communities and take action means that MAPS attendees will make a difference in this challenge during the conference and beyond. I applaud the efforts of those organizing this important event, and strongly encourage every Massachusetts Citizen to attend."
Frances Moore Lappé
Author of Diet for a Small Planet and Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity, and Courage in a World Gone Mad
"This is the year to go for it — to shed any sense of powerlessness. Massachusetts Powershift offers us a way to make our state a leader in rescuing our planet. With its emphasis is on solutions and on learning the skills we need to make our voices heard, we can transform our democracy from one controlled by a few into a living practice driven by citizens’ values.”
Dennis Lehane
Author of Gone, Baby, Gone and Mystic River
"Massachusetts Power Shift is just what the Bay State needs--an unequivocal positive put in service of something as simple and noble as saving our planet."
James Hanson
Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Advanced Studies*
"The Climate Crisis demands bold and immediate action. Massachusetts Power Shift recognizes that we can no longer wait for the politicians to act. Rather, it is the people themselves, the every day citizens who must take a stand on this most important issue. The science is clear and compelling. The only question is our political will. Massachusetts Power Shift is building that will by empowering individuals, training them with important skills, connecting them with each other, and getting them to meet with their elected politicians to enact real change. I strongly encourage all Massachusetts citizens who care about the future to be a part of this historic conference."
*Does not imply official NASA or government support for the event
Rep. Frank Smizik
Massachusetts House of Representatives
It's really exciting to see young people take the lead in pushing for solutions to the challenge of global warming. It will require a movement in this country if we are going to transform our nation's economy, and that's what these young people are building.
Clif Bar
Clif Bar & Company is honored to support the students and citizens involved with Massachusetts Power Shift who are working to raise awareness and inspire action on climate change. We also recognize the important role that businesses can play in being a positive force for change, and encourage individuals, corporations and communities to work together to help build the climate movement in Massachusetts and throughout the country.
David Zwick
Founder of Clean Water Action
"Massachusetts Power Shift is not just another conference or rally. It's part of a serious plan to involve people all over Massachusetts in action that can make a difference with the know-how it takes to succeed. You will come back from Power Shift having moved the cause forward and built new relationships, knowledge, and skills that can help you keep making a difference. Participating in Power Shift is a step on the path to getting results on our most important energy and climate problems. I urge people all over Massachusetts to take that step."
Rev. Fred Small
Co-chair, Religious Witness for the Earth
"Achieving climate care and environmental justice will require the largest, most diverse, and most sophisticated mass movement in human history. Watching the swiftly emerging leadership of young people and people of faith, I'm reminded of the early days of the civil rights movement. We will need the same moral courage and spiritual grounding. Mass Power Shift will help us take our prayer out of our homes and houses of worship and into the corridors of power."
Rob Garrity
Executive Director, Massachusetts Climate Action Network
"Mass Power Shift is a critical opportunity to unite with folks from across the Commonwealth who take climate change as seriously as you do and form connections and learn techniques to best make our case to policy leaders in Massachusetts. Far more than a conference, MAPS will be the training ground from which grass roots action will make the difference on climate issues this year and beyond."
Barbara Hill
Executive Director, Clean Power Now
“Massachusetts Power Shift encourages young people across the commonwealth to take their future into their own hands by fighting against the catastrophic forces of global warming. It is a unique opportunity to come together with like-minded people and truly make a difference in the climate change crisis. Clean Power Now applauds Massachusetts Power Shift for uniting people to take a stand on one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
Anthony Cortese
President, Second Nature, Co- Organizer, The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment
"MAPS is providing an opportunity for students, community members, and organizations to work with leaders in government to develop joint strategies to combat climate disruption. Rapid mobilization of all sectors is necessary to address this challenge and create a healthy, secure, thriving and sustainable society."
Morgan Goodwin
Steering Chair, Massachusetts Youth Climate Action
"Attending MAPS is a hugely important step for individuals to take in fighting global warming and building a just and sustainable future. Its also a big drumbeat in the rising tide of the climate movement, as citizens everywhere start realizing that we are the ones to create a clean energy economy."
Daniel Greenberg, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Living Routes Study Abroad in Ecovillages
"It's actions like the MA Power Shift that help all of us support solutions to the some of world's most pressing problems while building skills in advocacy, group dynamics and leadership that can really push forward a vital social change agenda."
Marty Wren
Executive Director, Conscious Consuming
"Conscious Consuming is delighted to support Massachusetts Power Shift's efforts to reduce emissions, utilize local solutions to global problems and increase community activism."
Timothy W. Brennan,
Executive Director, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
"Massachusetts Power Shift is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to come together to take action for a sustainable future. As one of the first regional planning agencies in Massachusetts to develop a clean energy/climate action plan, we are honored to endorse this great event and encourage all of you to not only register now, but also to commit to taking action to help the planet."
Megan DeSmedt
Organizing Director, MASSPIRG Student Chapters
"Global Warming is THE defining issue of our generation, and students are getting involved like never before to lead the way in solving it. Which is exactly what we need in order to solve this problem—optimism, enthusiasm, hard work, and commitment."
Tiffany Yee
Executive Board Chair, MASSPIRG Student Chapters
"There is no better time than right now for Massachusetts Power Shift. Global warming is one of the most pressing issues of our generation and never has our generation been so civically involved, around one issue. MAPS is going to be a great opportunity for students to not only learn about the issue but make the strongest stance they can to urge our legislators for immediate action now!"
Craig Altemose
Executive Committee, Sierra Student Coalition
"MAPS will rock your world. If you've ever wanted to be part of something big, this is the place, this is time, this is the cause. We're going to move some mountains!"
Jim Gordon
Cape Wind
"Massachusetts Power Shift activists are on the frontline of educating citizens and political leaders on the urgency of combating climate change. There is no better voice to heed than those that will inherit this environment. Their commitment and efforts will propel us to a more sustainable future."
Sue Reid
Conservation Law Foundation
“Global warming poses an extraordinary and unprecedented challenge to our natural resources and humanity itself. Unquestionably, we need to take action individually and collectively, locally and globally to address this threat. Massachusetts Power Shift promises to be a seminal event in unleashing the power of concerned individuals and political leaders to usher in a new era of sustainable clean energy in Massachusetts and beyond.”