Chapters
It is important to stay connected to the local community, especially when combating the climate crisis. There are plenty of communities, environmental organizations, and protest groups in the Boston area that we will share in this chapter to help everyone get more involved!
In Greater Boston, "climate resilience" isn't just about sea walls, microgrids, or smart thermostats—it’s about social infrastructure. Community survey findings revealed that while individual actions like composting or riding the T are common, many residents feel isolated when navigating broader climate adaptation.
Climate justice starts by lowering the barriers to entry. When sustainable choices require disposable income or extra hours after long shifts, living green becomes an undue burden. True neighborhood resilience means pooling community resources so every resident—regardless of neighborhood, income, or housing status—has access to clean air, fresh food, and safe shelter.
Some examples of local environmental organizations that we would like to highlight are listed below. You can get involved by adding yourself to their email newsletters and also volunteering as your time allows!
You don’t need to join a formal organization to experience the power of local community. Check out some of our favorite neighborhood gatherings that celebrate public space, sustainable transportation, and local culture:
Getting together for climate action is important and one of those ways is through activism as a lot needs to change from the local level in order to reach the bigger goal of combating climate change.
Some examples of local environmental organizations that we would like to highlight are listed below. You can get involved by adding yourself to their email newsletters and also volunteering as your time allows!
Grassroot organizations in Boston and surrounding communities has driven major environmental wins—from blocking industrial pollution in overburdened neighborhoods to expanding zero-waste programs.
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Join Neighborhood-Based Climate Hubs
Connect with grassroots groups focused on hyper-local environmental justice (such as GreenRoots in Chelsea/East Boston, Boston Climate Action Network (BCAN), or local 350.org chapters).
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Show Up to Public Hearings & City Council Meetings
Municipal decisions about urban canopy targets, bus lanes, zoning, and microgrids happen in public hearings. Submitting a 2-minute public comment or showing up with neighbors directly influences local councilors.
https://masscivics.com/public-hearings-and-civic-engagement/
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Support Environmental Justice (EJ) Legislation
Advocate alongside frontline communities most impacted by urban heat island effects, localized flooding, and air pollution near highways.
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-environmental-justice-equity-oeje
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Source: https://www.aclum.org/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-general-guidance-demonstrations-and-protests/ https://www.nlg.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Know-Your-Rights-Booklet-2022.pdf
While individual habit shifts build personal awareness, collective action shifts market systems and public policy. When residents organize together, they transform individual choices into powerful community leverage.
Protests, rallies, and public marches serve three vital purposes in local climate movements: building community visibility, pressuring decision-makers, and disrupting business-as-usual.
A boycott is the organized, intentional refusal to buy from or interact with specific corporations, financial institutions, or utility entities that harm communities or fuel climate degradation.
It’s hard to stay informed about what legislation in Massachusetts, that’s related to climate. But here are a few links to share that you can check to see what bills are being passed and what can be done:
Source: https://represent.us/resource-library/how-to-influence-elected-officials/ https://www.masscap.org/policy-advocacy/take-action/
Your state representative and senator work for you, and state-level policy (like the MA Climate Act, building energy codes, and textile waste bans) dictates environmental progress. Here is how to engage them effectively: