There are many pieces to solving the climate crisis.  On these pages we address the Energy piece, while recognizing that it is intertwined with the themes of Nature, which captures and sequesters climate change emissions & restores biodiversity, and Materials, each of which Greening Greenfield addresses on separate Program pages.

Decarbonization is the process of significantly reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the atmosphere, since these are what cause climate change.

To decarbonize we must generate zero-carbon energy in an environmentally responsible way to replace our use of fossil fuels.  We need to reduce our need for energy; generate and use responsibly-produced zero-carbon energy such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro to replace our use of fossil fuels; and support nature to draw carbon from our atmosphere.  We recognize that not all renewable projects are environmentally responsible. 

Greening Greenfield offers guidance and resources on how each of us can switch to zero-carbon renewable energy in our homes, in the materials we use, and to power how we get around.  We all must use less stuff and as well as use less energy.

Massachusetts is a leader in the nation, second only to California, in working to decarbonize our emissions.  Our goals are to decarbonize by 25% by 2025, 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Watch this 2025 video on what MA is doing, how MA achieved its 2025 goal, and what we need to do next.

In the video, Arnie Epstein of Elders Climate Action Massachusetts gives an excellent 50-minute overview which is followed by descriptions of 2 recently passed bills that aim to help us reach our goals: the Mass Ready Act and the Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act.  These presentations are by MA Undersecretary for Energy, Michael Judge and MA Undersecretary of Decarbonization and Resilience, Katharine Antos.