THE TIME IS NOW
Canton Residents for a Sustainable, Equitable Future
Canton Residents for A Sustainable, Equitable Future is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Our tax ID # is 84-1849871
Canton Residents for a Sustainable, Equitable Future (CR4SEF), or "Sustainable Canton," works to address the accelerating climate crisis and mitigate its effects by promoting public engagement through education and thoughtful action. The volunteer organization is determined to advance environmental justice, standing in support of frontline communities and those most heavily impacted by the effects of environmental hazards and climate change.
CR4SEF collaborates with local, state, and national groups to advance the rapid transition to a resilient, renewable/green, equitable society, economy and sustainable environment—working in coalition toward a livable future for everyone.
The group welcomes Canton-area residents of all ages and backgrounds to join in "acting locally," on an array of impactful initiatives at any given time.
JOIN A COMMITTEE!
Want to make a difference? Email Jen Wexler at jenwexshayndle@gmail.com to take action, such as:
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Build a local Climate Action Plan
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Publicize Municipal Energy
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Aggregation (MEA) Program
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Advance Legislation & Support Bold Climate Candidates
ARCHIVED IN-PERSON MEETING MINUTES
August 5,2020
Virtual Board Meeting
June 10,2020
CR4SEF Meeting Minutes
March 29, 2020
CR4SEF Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2020
CR4SEF Meeting Minutes
Tackling Greenhouse Gases
Canton Energy Aggregation Let's do this! Learn more
CR4SEF was instrumental in the Town of Canton developing a plan for a voluntary consumer friendly electricity aggregation program. The Canton Electricity Choice program is expected to rollout by the end of 2023.
At the request of Canton Select Board member Tom Theodore, we circulated a petition, signed by 230+ Canton resident to help ensure that the program will have options that increase the overall generation or clean, renewable locally sourced electricity.
CLIMATE CRISIS
2022 UN climate report: It’s ‘now or never’ to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees: "Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach. However, there is increasing evidence of climate action." Read the urgent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.
House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis: Creating a Climate Resilient America (5/19)
U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report
TIME article: U.K. Declares Climate Emergency
RECYCLING - Go Glass vs Plastic
Republic Services Recycling Guide\
How Plastic Bags Affect Recycling
Recycling Crisis: New Standards Lead to Skyrocketing Costs
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Two Major Environmental Justice Bills Filed in the 2019 Legislative Session
POLLUTION
Plastic & Health: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet
ORGANIZATIONS
Mass Clean Energy Center / MassSave Program (for residents)
Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station
Surfrider Foundation Masschusetts Chapter
Sunrise Movement: Green New Deal
Canton Select Board Candidates on Climate
As in previous election cycles, on February 21, 2023, CR4SEF contacted each of the three candidates (Chris Albert, Lisa Lopez, John McCourt) currently running for the two open Canton Select Board seats. We posed four questions in order to learn more about each candidate's stance on timely climate and sustainability initiatives, including:
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Canton Electricity Choice;
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a Municipal Opt-in Specialized Stretch Energy Code;
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the formation of an interim Sustainability/Climate Action Planning Committee as a companion to Town Meeting Article 27;
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and, other steps the SB candidate would take to help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The responses of the two candidates who replied are posted here [LINK TO FULL RESPONSES AND ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND}. We will also summarize their response to each question, which will be published in The Canton Citizen. This effort to help inform the public about the candidates’ positions aims to advance our mission of promoting civic and public engagement, working across sectors to address climate change.
Climate Bill Advocacy
As part of the Mass Power Forward coalition, CR4SEF, along with CHS students, gave valentines to Rep Bill Galvin and State Senator Paul Feeney (office staff shown here) urging that they "Love Our Planet" by co-sponsoring important MA climate legislation.
Bills that move us toward an equitable, sustainable future:
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SD.1180 / HD.2474 Act to improve outdoor and indoor air quality for communities burdened by pollution
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SD.505 / HD.4024 An Act Relative to Energy Facilities Siting Reform to Address Environmental Justice, Climate, and Public Health
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HD.776/SD.500 An Act establishing a zero carbon renovation fund
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HD.2535 Building Justice with Jobs Act
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SD.1925/HD.3794 An Act establishing a moratorium on new gas system expansion
Earth Day 2022 event video and photos
NO COMPRESSOR / FRRACS
Read The Boston Globe 12/13/20 Spotlight investigation: In Weymouth, A Brute Lesson in Power Politics
PLASTIC BAG REDUCTION
In May 2019 at Town Meeting, Canton became the 112th MA town to pass a plastic bag reduction by-law that helps mitigate climate change and pollution. More than 50% of the state's has banned single-use plastic bags at the point of sale.Read letters from supporting organizations here.
