Guest article by Monte Pearson
Pearson delivered these remarks at a rally at the Danversport Bridge on September 27, 2022.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, we experienced–mostly–the good side of fossil fuels–electricity, cars, and airplanes. Now in the 21st century, the dark side of fossil fuels is becoming more and more dominant.
How can we stop burning fossil fuels for transportation and electricity, burning that creates pollution? We need community engagement.
If we are to stop pollution, we must inform and empower everyone to identify pollution as a source of their pain. I announce here a coordinated effort to expand our movement for clean air, health, life, and the planet that will focus on broad community engagement and empowering local leaders.
Founded by Mayor Peter A. Torigian in 1983, the International Festival was designed to honor and bring together the many diverse ethnic and religious segments of Peabody. Today, the festival demonstrates the strength and vibrancy of the many old and new groups that live and strive for a better life in Peabody.
Our efforts to educate and empower people to deal with pollution, public health concerns, and the climate crisis by shifting from fossil fuels to clean renewables will build on the strength and wisdom of all Peabody residents.
In our North Shore and Cape Ann communities, we face an invisible threat of air pollution that causes disease and premature death while it despoils our environment and contributes to global warming. Every breath brings the potential for disease and death.
Like sailors approaching a hidden danger, we need a lighthouse, a warning system for air pollution so that we can mitigate the harm to ourselves, our natural environment, and the climate and so that we can act together to reduce air pollution by stopping it at the source.
Given the urgency of the climate crisis, how can we manage the electrical system to rapidly reduce dependence on burning fossil fuels? Instead of looking only at the dollar cost of energy, we should also measure greenhouse gas emissions and the increase in disease and death from emissions. Life is worth more than money.
Peabody knows how to bring people together.
The people of Peabody care for each other, honor their fallen heroes and nurture their children and their youth.
On May 26, 2022, demonstrators from the North Shore and across the Commonwealth gathered on the Danversport Bridge over the Waters River in Danvers to demand that Governor Baker must do health and environmental studies for the fossil fuel Peabody peaker electrical generator. The organizers of the event included Susan and Ron Smoller of Breathe Clean North Shore with the support of Mireille Beijani of Community Action Works and Logan Malik of Mass Climate Action Network, and with the sponsorship of several advocacy groups. Demonstrators flew kites and sang protest songs. Some paddled a fleet of kayaks and some rode bicycles to join the demonstration.
For the future of this child, Peyton Massie, we demonstrate. We, the people demonstrating on the Danversport Bridge, are energy democracy in action. We are teenagers, grandparents, storytellers, musicians, poets, singers, teachers, ministers, doctors, reporters, videographers, photographers, and a man from Ireland. Our goal is to empower people to work together to save our planet from global warming, save our wetlands and forests, and protect everyone from harmful pollution. We share an obligation and a desire to improve our communities, work for the common good, and be stewards of the world today to preserve it for the future.
Energy democracy—public participation in policy— is the best way to engage the whole community in our clean energy future. The energy revolution has begun—clean, climate-friendly power from renewable resources is beating fossil fuel on price, reliability, pollution, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To enable the transition, reform is needed at every level of the energy system. In Peabody, we need education, transparency, citizen participation, and long-range planning.