Sunrise Smith College Activists Gain Passage of Municipal Resolution to Make Polluters Pay
Members of Sunrise Movement rally in front of Amherst Town Hall on Earth Day. Photo: Sunrise Movement
Source: Sunrise Movement Smith College and Citizen Portal
Sunrise Movement activists at Smith College and local advocates gained passage of a Climate Superfund Resolution in Northampton last week. At their meeting on April 17, the Northampton City Council unanimously supported a resolution calling for the establishment of a climate change super fund and expressed strong backing for House Bill 1014 and Senate Bill 588, An Act to Establish a Climate Change Superfund, which aims to enhance polluter accountability and fund climate resilience initiatives.
The resolution, which was inspired by local students from Smith College, emphasizes the urgent need for action in the face of climate challenges. Council members praised the involvement of young activists, acknowledging their role in bringing this issue to the forefront.
“I’ve watched my generation strike, resist, campaign, lose hope, and get back up again,” said Emma Coopersmith, an organizer of the campaign for Sunrise Smith College. “At a time when climate action is blocked at the federal level, city and state climate action is more important and urgent than ever. We cannot let the setbacks in the White House keep us from necessary action. We must get back up and fight on. In Massachusetts, we have the power to hold polluters accountable for the climate crisis and invest much needed resources into a just energy transition.”
On Earth Day (4/22), dozens rallied in Amherst, calling on the Amherst Town Council and other municipalities in the Connecticut River Valley to join the call to make polluters pay. Last week’s Northampton resolution in support of H.1014/S.588, was the first to pass in Western Massachusetts, following previous resolutions in Boston, Cambridge, Medford, and Malden.
The bill in the MA legislature introduced by Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Rep. Steve Owens, and Rep. Jack Lewis, requires the biggest carbon emitters to contribute to a superfund to pay for climate-related damages in Massachusetts. The Climate Adaptation Superfund will provide funding for climate adaptation projects across the commonwealth, directly benefiting cities and towns. The bill will generate billions of dollars over 25 years from the profits of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters.
The superfund will support climate change adaptation projects statewide, with 40% of the funding directly benefiting environmental justice communities. The bill mandates that large projects supported by the superfund make use of apprenticeship programs, abide by prevailing wage requirements, and treat workers according to fair labor standards.
Both Vermont and New York have successfully passed Climate Superfund bills in 2024, setting a powerful precedent for Massachusetts to join.