Brookline, MA — On Thursday, June 5, Brookline Town Meeting members voted overwhelmingly to pass Warrant Article 25, a resolution endorsing Massachusetts legislation (H.1014/S.588) that would create a Climate Change Superfund. The state bill would raise billions over 25 years from the largest fossil companies to help fund urgently needed climate resilience projects in communities across the Commonwealth.

Brookline joins Boston, Cambridge, Medford, Malden, and Northampton in backing the bill, reflecting growing momentum across Massachusetts to shift the cost of climate damages off of residents and onto the corporations most responsible for the crisis. The legislation would also direct 40% of its funding to projects that benefit environmental justice communities.

“This vote shows the growing momentum behind a simple demand: Fossil fuel giants should pay for the harm they’ve caused,” said Nisha Swinton, Senior Organizer with Food & Water Watch. “Communities across Massachusetts are facing the rising costs of climate disasters — and they shouldn’t be left holding the bill while companies like Exxon, Chevron, and Shell rake in record profits. Lawmakers must pass the Climate Superfund bill and send it to the governor’s desk without delay.”