Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 7, 2020 Students urge Malden to adopt the UN’s sustainable development goals By Barbara Taormina climate change, reducing income inequality and establishF ixing the world over the next 10 years may seem like an overly ambitious plan, but students and teachers from Linden STEAM Academy are convinced it can be done, and they met with the City Council late last month to ask for their help. Linden science teachers Christina Rosenthal and Lianne Mokfienski Ramos and several students presented an overview of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, 17 global objectives set by the UN General Assembly to build a better world by 2030. The Sustainable Development Goals, or the SDGs, are a hefty to-do list that includes ending poverty, eliminating hunger, achieving gender equality, fighting ing justice. “We want to ask you to join us in considering making Malden a part of this global movement,” said Rosenthal. “We want to leverage the diversity of Malden to connect with other cities around the globe and work together toward a common objective, the United Nations’ SDGs,” she said. Each of the goals have measurable targets so organizations and communities that embrace the SDGs can track their progress and plan their next steps, she explained. “The lack of U.S. commitment to the SDGs means there is a real opportunity for Malden to become a national leader,” added Rosenthal. Ramos explained that the SDGs are a guide that would be localized to fit Malden’s challenges and needs. “To implement the goals, we need to make them our own in accordance with our own shared values, diverse culture and social and economic priorities,” she said. She pointed to Malden’s lead line replacement program as an example of a local effort in sync with the SDG to ensure clean drinking water and another goal to develop resilient infrastructure. Ramos said the Linden group came to the City Council meeting to ask councillors to create a committee of members of different governing boards to raise awareness of the SDGs through meaningful discussions with the community. She said the committee would be able to set targets and measure Malden’s progress toward achieving the goals using specific indicators. “We believe Malden, through the SDGs, can improve the quality of life on a local level while leading the world on environmental, economic and social issues,” she said. Students told councillors they believe the SDGs are the right strategy to fix the world for the future, their future. But they stressed that they need the help and support of Malden’s adults and community leaders. Urging a city to join a global dialogue to promote peace and prosperity by adopting a set of sustainable development goals isn’t a typical middle school activity, and councillors praised the Linden teachers and students for their work and commitment. Councillors also wanted them to know the city is already engaged in sustainable development. Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy invited them to a meeting of Malden River Works, a group developing plans to restore the Malden River, which she said ties in perfectly with several of the sustainable development goals. Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow encouraged them to participate in discussions on the city’s vulnerability plan, which focuses on strategies to address climate change. Ward 6 Councillor David Camell mentioned some of accomplishments of the city’s Energy Efficiency Committee that have made the city greener and more sustainable. Sen. Lewis supports passage of “next generation climate policy” O n January 30, the Massachusetts Senate passed three bills that boldly tackle the contribdine drink gather enjo Friday, February 7 at 8 PM to the 90's uting factors of climate change, chart one of the most aggressive courses of action against global y Saturday, February 8 at 9 PM A Musical Tribute THIRD MAN IN warming in the country and pave the way for a clean energy future for all state residents. An Act setting next generation with RUN FOR COVER First Breakaway Appearance! Friday, February 14 at 9 PM WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Saturday, February 15 at 9 PM Celebrate Valentine's Day with WILDFIRE The Guns & Roses Experience! Dance the Night Away! Friday, February 21 at 9 PM BRANDY Nation's #1 Jason Aldean Tribute Friday, February 28 at 9 PM VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening with Danny McCarthy Trio 221 Newbury Street, Danvers For Tickets call (978) 774-7270 or www.breakawaydanvers.com We are the smile care experts for your entire family Saturday, February 22 at 9 PM ULTIMATE ALDEAN EXPERIENCE climate policy and two companion bills – one dealing with electrifying MBTA fleets and another updating energy efficiency standards for appliances – passed overwhelmingly (36-2, 35-2, 352) and with bipartisan support. “In Massachusetts we are leading the nation into a clean energy future,” said Lewis, “and this package of climate legislation offers programs and supports to help our residents and businesses as we tackle the challenge of climate change together.” Lewis was lead sponsor of the appliance efficiency standards legislation. He worked closely with the Green Energy Consumer Alliance in the development of the bill. Key provisions of the climate policy package include: • Setting a statewide greenhouse gas limit for the year 2050 of “net zero” emissions. To achieve this, An Act setting next-generation climate policy requires the state to hit near-term limits in 2025, 2030 and every five years thereafter; to set sub-limits for transportation, buildings, solid waste, natural gas distribution and other major sectors; and to make implementation plans that are “clear, comprehensive, and specific.” • Establishing the Massachusetts Climate Policy Commission, which would be a new, independent public watchdog to oversee the government’s handling of the unfolding crisis of climate change. Commissioners would be charged with offering a nonpartisan, science-based view of the problem as it plays out in Massachusetts with its attendant natural, economic and demographic impacts and risks. • Reflecting the price of carbon. Under the bill, the Administration would be free to choose among various market based forms of pricing carbon – including a revenue-neutral fee or a regional “cap and trade” system similar to the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), but he or she would have to do so by Jan. 1, 2022, for transportation; Jan. 1, 2025, for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings; and by Jan. 1, 2030, for residential buildings. Any mechanism would be implemented so as to minimize the impact on low-income households, disadCLIMATE | SEE PAGE 12 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today
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