The wildfires in Australia have certainly shown that the need for climate action this year is urgent. Join me in redoubling our efforts to call for immediate action – “the Earth is on fire.” The 50th anniversary of Earth Day gives us a unique opportunity to sound the alarm and make our leaders listen to the scientists.

I have written an op-ed that calls for just this kind of action. Please feel free to make comments and suggestions before I send it off to the Boston Globe and other publications later this week. I want it to reflect our hopes for a livable city and planet.

As a result of the great feedback from our last meeting, I’ve made some changes to our draft program. There will be continued edits and revisions as we go forward, so please make comments and suggestions to improve our kick-off event to a week of climate action. You will notice that each section is meant to highlight an issue and hear from one person from each of the groups we are trying to highlight (youth, frontline and faith communities) with artistic portions reflecting these priorities as well. Some speakers are confirmed, but others we need your help in reaching out to inspirational speakers and performers. Thank you to the Boston Vegetarian Society, The New Democracy Coalition and Biodiversity for a Livable Climate for joining us as our newest co-sponsors.

Thanks to Fay Khudairi’s connection, we will be using Hopsie for our fundraising. More information about this will be coming soon, but it is a fantastic platform that will allow individuals to create their own fundraising goals for Earth Day 2020 Boston.

I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on January 22nd at 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center at 100 Malcolm X Blvd. Roxbury. We will continue to work on our program, fundraising and outreach.

In the meantime, the MLK holiday is approaching and there is a wonderful event hosted by the New Democracy Coalition that will recognize leaders in social justice and connect to the principles that MLK fought for and Earth Day 2020 Boston continues to fight for. Information is below. I hope to see you there.

In peace,

Michael