 During this year’s Annual Town Meeting, Wellesley’s town meeting members will vote on a citizens’ petition to prohibit the sale of fur. This citizens’ petition is being proposed on the heels of the statewide California fur ban, recently signed into law, and simultaneous to other state and local initiatives to ban fur sales in Connecticut, Hawaii, New York City, Minneapolis, Portland (OR), and Toronto. The primary motivation for these bans stems from the rampant animal cruelty in the industry, which results in over 100,000,000 animals being killed every year for their fur by anal electrocution, clubbing, gassing, or poison. 85-95% of these animals are raised in cramped, filthy cages on fur farms, unable to ever participate in behaviors natural to their species, and where the skinning of animals while incapacitated but still alive has been regularly documented.[1]
Often left out of discussions of the fur industry, however, is the significant detrimental impact it has on the environment. While the fur industry regularly markets itself as sustainable and eco-friendly, EU regulatory agencies have deemed these claims as false and misleading advertising. A recent study by the independent consulting group on environmental sustainability, CE Delft, shows why. It found that fur is the worst offending textile, natural or synthetic, in 17 of 18 environmental categories including climate change, ozone depletion, and toxicity (only cotton scored worse in the category of water depletion), ranging from 2 to 28 times the environmental impact of other textiles.[2] For example, the climate change impact of mink fur is 5 times higher than the second worst offending textile, wool (sheep being high methane producers requiring lots of land and feed). Put differently, producing 1 kg of mink fur requires 11.4 minks and 563 kg of feed comprised of mostly chicken and fish. This highly inefficient process taxes land and water resources, and produces significant waste runoff that is consistently reported to pollute local water supplies. And for what? Is a decorative pompom on a winter hat or trim around a hood worth the toll this industry takes on animals and the environment alike? While fur farming has been banned in nearly all countries in the EU, 80% of the fur purchased in the United States comes from China, where there is no regulatory oversight of either animal cruelty or environmental harm caused by fur farms.[3] For more information on Fur-Free Wellesley, including the complete bylaw, please visit this website or Facebook page, or contact the organizer, Liza Oliver at liza.oliver@wellesley.edu. [1] https://www.hsi.org/news-media/fur-trade/ [2] https://www.cedelft.eu/publicatie/the_environmental_impact_of_mink_fur_production/1131 [3] https://www.furfreealliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Graphic-map_fur-farming-legislation-5-1024x766.jpg  The Wellesley Sustainable Energy Committee (SEC) is proposing Sustainable Building Guidelines for future municipal building projects and private development on Town land.
A public hearing on these guidelines is planned for Wednesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall at Town Hall. Residents are invited to attend and review the guidelines, ask questions and give feedback. The SEC plans to ask the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Library Trustees, Municipal Light Plant, Board of Public Works, Recreation Department and Natural Resources Commission to adopt and sign these guidelines prior to the 2020 Annual Town Meeting in March. Questions? Visit the SEC webpages for more information or email Marybeth Martello, SEC Administrator.  You are invited to THE METROWEST SUSTAINABILITY FORUM presentation on
The Future of Geo-Micro Districts: How local communities can replace aging, leak-prone gas pipes under our streets with interconnected street-segment geothermal systems scaled to meet the needs of various neighborhoods. Featuring Audrey Schulman, Exec. Director of HEET in Cambridge Thur., Jan. 23rd, 7:00 – 8:30 pm First Parish Church in Weston, UU 349 Boston Post Road Weston, MA Local neighborhoods and communities can: - reduce their dependence on natural gas, - reduce carbon emissions, - save money, - ensure highly reliable heating and cooling. THE METROWEST SUSTAINABILITY FORUM is an ongoing regional speaker series that highlights and showcases significant practices, policies, and ideas that move our society towards a more sustainable, equitable and low-carbon future. For more information, please contact: jeffbarzsnell@gmail.com  Worried about record breaking Boston January temperatures, Australia's fires, etc?
Concerned About Your Family’s Health? Want to Make A Difference In Your Community and Meet New People? Looking for ways to help Wellesley achieve its greenhouse gas emissions-reduction goal? You are invited to the next Sustainable Wellesley action meeting on Sunday, January 26th from 4:00-5:30pm. The meeting will be held at the Wellesley Congregational (“Village”) Church (2 Central St.) . All of us, no matter what our age, can make a difference and feel like we are “doing something.” Come learn about the many campaigns, projects, and opportunities there are for you to participate in, or bring your own ideas for making a difference. We are working on a variety of environmental just initiatives here in our community and beyond. No experience necessary; just come with you variety of talents, enthusiasm and knowledge. Some discussion points include: Try the 2020 Wellesley Plastic Waste Reduction Challenge Make sure you are registered and plan to vote Share your climate concerns with folks in the State House Transportation is Wellesley's #1 source of greenhouse gas emissions- what can we do ?  Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Time: 6:30 light supper, 7:00 film, 8:15 video discussion link with Jan Haaken, film maker Location: St. Anne’s Episcopal Church 147 Concord Road, Lincoln You may have noticed that peaceful civil disobedience to protect the Earth's climate is on the rise. Whether it is Jane Fonda getting arrest in Washington, DC or New England activists stopping and blockading coal trains in Massachusetts, more people in the climate movement are taking direct action to fight climate change. Grounded in people and places at the heart of the climate crisis, "Necessity" traces the fight in Minnesota against the expansion of pipelines carrying toxic tar sands oil through North America. The story unfolds in a setting where indigenous activists and non-indigenous allies make use of the necessity defense in making a moral case for acts of civil disobedience. Many of these activists were part of the Standing Rock resistance in North Dakota and carry into this site of struggle their knowledge of resistance strategies, as well as their experiences of loss and trauma. See the trailer at this link: https://www.necessitythemovie.com/ Meet Folks Just Like YOU Who Said Yes Too Its the new year. Australia is on fire and we had record breaking temperatures here in Wellesley.
Wondering what you can do to help the planet? Wellesley residents just like you asked themselves the same question. Here are a few of them taking actions for our planet. Let us know if you have something to share or have questions for them. Plastic Reduction - there is a new campaign this year to reduce waste. Learn about Melissa's journey here Solar - "Get a 14 % rate of return and do something for the environment too," said Chris. Hear more about his investment here. Plant Based Foods - "It's easier than ever to eat more plant based meals," Kelly said. Swapping out a few meals can help. We have a new bike repair station in town. Have you tried riding your bike to school or work? Eric says,"its way more consistent the dealing with traffic. I even circumvent Rt. 9!" "Its faster than a BMW, safer than a Volvo, cheaper than a Camry and wind powered!" Scott said enthusiastically about his electric vehicle. Hear more here.  Yesterday, members of Sustainable Wellesley joined several hundred other local and statewide environmental advocates at the Statehouse to urge prompt action on pending climate legislation. Activists spent the day meeting with state Representatives and Senators, attending rallies and testifying at a hearing on Carbon Pricing.
If you couldn’t make it but still want to help, please call or write your representatives! To make it easy, your Rep’s contact information and a detailed script, along with a link to more details about our specific legislative priorities, can be found here. NEXT CLIMATE ACTION LOBBY DAY IS FEBRUARY 11!! Details to follow.  One way to help our Town reduce its carbon emissions and reach its greenhouse gas reduction goal is via electrification. This has major health benefits as well.
Come learn more from guest speaker Dr. Regina LaRocque, Wellesley resident and member of Sustainable Wellesley. She will discuss WHY Wellesley needs to make the change and HOW our community can work together on this at the next Rotary Club Meeting on February 4th. All are welcome for a light buffet and easy conversation beginning at 6:15 PM and Dr. LaRocque's presentation from 7-8pm. The event takes place at the Wellesley College Club at 727 Washington Street. This discussion ties well into the Rotary Club's international mission to save mothers and children, as well as the local programs centered around sustainability and health. Join in to learn more about the health benefits and carbon reduction benefits of electrification.  You are invited to the next Wellesley Green Collaborative meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, from 9-11:15am, in the Wakelin Room of the Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington St.
The main theme of the meeting will be Sustainable Buildings. Buildings contribute approximately 53% of Wellesley’s town-wide carbon footprint and approximately 70% of the municipality’s carbon footprint, which includes schools. This Collaborative meeting will focus on the state of the art of sustainable/net zero energy (NZE) construction and its application to commercial, municipal and residential construction. The Sustainable Energy Committee will ask Annual Town Meeting 2020 to approve Sustainable Building Guidelines so that municipal new construction, municipal major renovations/additions, and private development on Town-owned land in Wellesley reflect best practices in sustainable and NZE building design and help Wellesley reduce its carbon footprint. Speakers:
The Collaborative will also provide opportunities to:
 Thursday, January 30, 7:00pm Wellesley Free Library 530 Washington St. Many young families, seniors, and people of middle, moderate, or fixed incomes are unable to move to — or stay in — our town. What does this mean for Wellesley’s future? Our expert panelists will provide an overview of the challenges and benefits of creating diverse housing. Bring your questions and comments and join us to discuss how we can develop a broader range of housing choices for the long-term health of our community. Panelists: • Eric Shupin, Director of Public Policy, Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)– Describing the state of housing in MA. • Amy Dain, Consultant, Dain Research – Reporting on two years of research into the regulations, plans and permits in the 100 cities and towns surrounding Boston. • Shelly Goehring, Senior Program Manager, Massachusetts Housing Partnership – Sharing the benefits and challenges for our community. • Rebecca Winterich-Knox, Net Zero Organizer, Massachusetts Climate Action Network – Focusing on sustainable considerations and impact on climate. This event is free and open to the public. Co-Sponsored Wellesley's League of Women Voters, Wellesley Free Library as well as Build a Better Wellesley, Our Affordable Wellesley, Sustainable Wellesley, TBE Racial Justice Initiative, UU Wellesley Hills, Wellesley's Council on Aging, Wellesley Village Church, World of Wellesley, and the |
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