Massachusetts State W2W Coalition – Warheads to Windmills

Join the MA coalition

A coalition of organizations in Massachusetts who want to work together to address the twin existential threats of climate change and nuclear war at one and the same time. The coalition’s full demand is that the US and the other 8 nuclear armed nations eliminate their nuclear weapons, based on the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and use those human and financial resources to seriously address the climate crisis. In Massachusetts, the coalition works to bring awareness to these two joint issues of climate and nuclear weapons and influence broader action for this cause.

State Legislation

An Act Promoting Responsible Investment (WMD divestment)

Presented by Rep’s Sam Montaño and Lindsay Sabadosa, and Senator Pat Jehlen

H. 1264 and S. 767 would require the Massachusetts administration to divest public pension funds – taxpayer money – from all entities involved in activities that manufacture, produce, sell, or promote weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

As of 2024, Massachusetts has approximately $2.1 billion invested in entities with ties to WMD, including nuclear weapons producers RTX Corporations (Raytheon), Northrop Grumman Corp, Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing, and more.

Imagine what divesting even a portion of that money could do to feed, house, educate, and heal our communities. The logic is simple: our tax dollars should not fund destruction and killing. We should not be complicit in nor profit from weapons of mass destruction .

This bill would ensure taxpayer dollars are no longer tied to companies profiting from WMD, aligning public investments with our values. We also ask that all funds are reinvested in our communities here in Massachusetts.

Find more resources and information via the Massachusetts Coalition for Responsible Investment

Take Action

Individuals:

Organizations:

If you represent an organization, endorse the bill using the form below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAfZE_Kxku9WnWKvZM8iFcbi2EheysicZff2A5_ZDq-anQUw/viewform

An Act to Eliminate Climate Risk Investments (Fossil Fuel Divestment)

Presented by Rep. Mindy Domb

H. 2811, An Act to mandate the review of climate risk in order to protect public pension beneficiaries and taxpayers.

This bill would assess the public fund investments for any climate risks and divest the fund from those risks. Our tax dollars should not be going to an industry that is driving us to climate doom. Continuing to invest in this industry is not only globally unsustainable, but it is also a financial risk that the state should not be taking with our public funds.

Divesting from climate risk industries sends a powerful message about the values we uphold as a society, and would ensure taxpayer dollars are not tied to the companies causing the climate crisis. Many towns and cities across Massachusetts, including Boston, are already taking this step at a municipal level and it is time to push the state to do the same.

Take Action

Make Polluters Pay Act

H.1014/S.588 An Act Establishing a Climate Change Superfund

Rep. Owens & Rep. Jack Lewis, Sen. Eldridge

An Act establishing a climate change superfund to make polluters pay.

Learn more with Mass Power Forward

The Back from the Brink Resolution

S. 1649, The Back from the Brink Resolution

Sen. Comerford

Resolutions to embrace the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and move the US back from the brink of nuclear war.

Learn more with Greater Boston PSR

The Citizens Commission (2023-2024 session)

Our state legislation in the 193 session, H. 738 and S.1488, calling for the creation of a Citizens Nuclear Weapons and Climate Commission in Massachusetts. This commission, appointed by state officials with recommendations from statewide peace and climate organizations, would investigate and advise on the state’s involvement and investment in nuclear weapons, and the transition of these resources to green technologies necessary for addressing the climate crisis.

Take Action!

On December 4th, we delivered a letter to Governor Maura Healey in November calling on her to establish the Commission. Read the letter here. While we are not re-entering this request as a bill this session, you can still send a letter to the Governor asking her to act directly.

Endorsements:

Organizations:

NuclearBan.US
Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility
Massachusetts Peace Action
Traprock Peace and Justice Center
Pax Christi Newton Chapter
Pax Christi MetroWest, Boston Chapter
Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment
Newton Dialogues on Peace and War
MA Pax Christi
St. Susanna Pax Christi Chapter
Brookline Students for Nuclear Disarmament
Demilitarize Western Mass
Climate Action Now, Western Mass

Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution
Better Future Project
Unitarian Universalist Mass Action Network
Cape Downwinders
Arlington United for Justice With Peace
New England Peace Pagoda
Springfield Climate Justice Coalition
Framingham Friends Meeting
Northampton Friends Meeting
Pax Christi Western Mass
Code Pink Western Mass
MA Green-Rainbow Party
Treaty Alignment Campaign

Elected Officials:

Jim McGovern, US Representative, MA 2nd District
Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, Easthampton
Gina-Louise Sciarra, Mayor, Northampton
Joshua A. Garcia, Mayor, Holyoke
Tony Palomba, City-Councilor-At-Large, Watertown
Lindsay Sabadosa, State Representative, 1st Hampshire
Natalie Higgins, State Representative, 4th Worcester
Bob Armstrong, Select Board Chair, Conway

Faith leaders:

Martin Kelly, Associate Chaplain, College of the Holy Cross
The Rev. Dr. Peter Kakos, First Churches, Northampton
The Rev. Sarah Buteux, First Churches, Northampton
The Rev. Andrea Ayvazian