Who we are
The Cape Ann Climate Coalition’s mission is to initiate and support widespread climate action in Cape Ann. We are a grassroots community-based organization, working to meet the demands of climate change for our families, community, and planet.
The glue that holds us together is the Organizing Committee (OC) which meets monthly with rotating leadership responsibilities. OC meetings are open to all, providing opportunities to connect across working groups, combine our strengths, generate new ideas, make group decisions, and stay true to our mission.
The diversity of skills, knowledge, and interests within our community has resulted in a range of ongoing and one-of-a-kind actions.
We support community engagement and education via special events, webinars, social media, city-wide tabling, newsletters, YouTube videos, and our website. Topics have included Energy Efficient Fisheries, electrification and heat pumps, local and state governance issues, geothermal opportunities, native gardening tours, and more.
The CACC’s “Save Green” project, that began in 2022, focuses on supporting low and moderate-income renters and landlords on an equitable “Electrify Everything” journey. Save Green provides 1:1 energy coaching as needed through the complex opportunities of Mass Save®, National Grid’s Turnkey program for EV chargers, Solar for All, EquiSol, etc.
A working group of committed advocates keeps us up-to-date and encourages us to make our voices heard on local municipal sustainability efforts and statewide climate-related legislation. We advocated for the hiring of Gloucester’s Sustainability Director and the two MA Climate Omnibus bills.
Collaboration with Harvard, MIT, and UMass-Boston faculty has ensured that the values and knowledge of local communities are incorporated into their studies of climate vulnerabilities., including consideration of future sea level rise and hurricanes, restoration of local natural resources, expansion of solar energy capacity, and engagement of downtown low-income residents in shaping the future of their neighborhood.
Our Interfaith Committee addresses the climate crisis through prayer, special programs, and local actions, rooted in our faith traditions for greater care and healing of Cape Ann and the larger world.
We are committed to the inclusion of the voices and participation of underrepresented students, low-income residents, and young adults in the shaping of Cape Ann’s climate future. We are breaking traditions and exploring new solutions to the complex and interconnected challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The CACC welcomes all to participate in the hope and vision of a climate-resilient Cape Ann..
For meeting dates, to get involved, or learn more, please email us through our Contact Page.
Connecting to Cape Ann Climate Coalition
Over the last several years, the CACC has had many new people attend meetings, contact CACC members, or use our website to learn more about the CACC and/or about joining. If you would like to learn more about the organization and its action groups, please Contact Us. A volunteer will be happy to speak with you, answer questions, and provide additional information via a short phone call or zoom meeting. If you would like to join our mailing list to be informed of events, participate in one of our groups, or get involved in a specific project, please let us know. If you have an idea for a new initiative, please tell us more about that as well. We would love to get to know you better!
About Us
The CACC was formed in 2019 after two highly successful quasi-public meetings. The goal was to engage Cape Ann residents in exploring effective collaboration and coordination efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change. One hundred members from non-profits, schools, houses of worship, business people, students, representatives of municipal and state governments, and interested individuals representing the four municipalities of Cape Ann attended (Rockport, Essex, Manchester, and Gloucester, MA).
CACC’s growth to over 500 members has much to do with the inclusion of a wide range of voices across Cape Ann.
The Organizing Committee (OC)
An Organizing Committee (OC) assumes a uniting role or glue for the coalition. OC membership is open to all members. The OC is responsible for providing good communication between Action Groups and the entire membership, actively expanding membership, and organizing “All Member Meetings.” Meeting norms require respectful listening and “agreeing to disagree.” OC roles, including facilitator, timekeeper, and notetaker, follow a rotation schedule. The sharing of roles and responsibilities has promoted inclusiveness and respect for diversity of ideas and talents.
