MetroWest Climate Solutions Group to Offer Talks on Carbon Taxes and a Massachusetts Legislative Update

A newly formed volunteer committee, The MetroWest Climate Solutions Group, will offer two March sessions on tackling climate change. These free sessions will be cosponsored by Mass Audubon and hosted by First Parish in Wayland (225 Boston Post Road).

On March 10 at 7:30 p.m., Dr. Gilbert E. Metcalf will lead a discussion on “Carbon Taxes as a Climate Change Solution.” Dr. Metcalf is an expert on carbon taxes and Professor of Economics at Tufts University. He will explain how a carbon tax – one of the most effective tools in combatting climate change – might work.

Dr. Metcalf’s current research focuses on policy evaluation and design in the area of energy and climate change. He has frequently testified before Congress, and has served on expert panels for the National Academies of Sciences and the EPA. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Energy at the Department of Treasury.

On March 24 at 7:30 p.m., the Group will offer a forum on “Massachusetts Climate Legislation.” At a time when federal solutions to climate change are not moving forward, legislation in our state has the potential to generate significant solutions to the climate crisis. Previous bills have made Massachusetts a national leader in energy efficiency, driven the transition to increase carbon-free electricity, and set a course for an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. In this forum, Massachusetts state senators and representatives from local communities will discuss climate solutions bills that are likely to come to a vote in this legislative session. Our legislators will describe how you can get involved in turning pending bills into laws.

Participants will include Senator Mike Barrett (3rd Middlesex district, including Lincoln and Weston); Senator James Eldridge (Middlesex and Worcester districts); Rep. Carmine Gentile (13th Middlesex district, including Wayland); Rep. Alice Peisch (14th Norfolk district, including Wayland and Weston), Senator Becca Rausch (Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex districts including Wayland) and Rep. Tom Stanley (9th Middlesex district, including Lincoln and Waltham). Mass Audubon’s Climate Change Program Director, Alexandra Vecchio, will moderate the discussion.

Refreshments will follow both sessions. These talks are supported by First Parish in Wayland’s Lydia Maria Child Fund, which funds new social action initiatives with participation from the First Parish Wayland membership.

About The MetroWest Climate Solutions Group – This all-volunteer committee is made up of members of First Parish in Wayland, First Parish in Lincoln, First Parish Church in Weston, the Congregational Church of Weston, and other individuals. The committee’s charter is to offer information on climate change and to provide activities for individuals to get involved in bringing about solutions.

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