The mission of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, APCC, is to preserve, protect and enhance the natural resources of Cape Cod. APCC is the region’s leading nonprofit environmental organization, working for the adoption of laws, policies and programs that protect and enhance Cape Cod’s natural resources and quality of life.
Local Climate Action on Cape Cod
Climate change poses a mortal threat to our Cape Cod communities: from the raging storms, rising seas, dangerous heat waves, deadly wildfires— extreme weather resulting from the rapidly warming climate. That warming is caused by heat-trapping carbon pollution from burning gas, oil and coal. Massachusetts has set a goal of reaching net zero carbon pollution over the coming years, and we aim to be part of that solution here on the Cape.
Everyone — regardless of age, experience, education, or income — can make a difference in the fight against climate change… in their personal lives, their homes, schools, businesses, and towns. By working together and learning from one another — at the local and regional levels — this collective action can be a powerful force in the fight against the climate crisis.
Cape Climate Action supports local climate activism in all Cape towns. We include local Climate Action Networks in some towns, members of many Town Energy and Climate Committees, and individual members throughout Cape Cod. We meet quarterly as a regional group to share ideas and inspire action.
We are working people and retirees, teachers and students, seasoned and new climate activists, environmentalists, green energy advocates, scientists, engineers and architects, faith community members, horticulturists — anyone who wants to help fight the climate crisis in their own community.
To learn more about the local town Climate Action Networks in Chatham, Falmouth, Harwich and Orleans, click here: (links to Chatham, Falmouth, Harwich and Orleans local pages)
Programs & Partners
Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC)
The Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC) is a public cooperative* which develops or owns renewable electric generation facilities and procures or sells long-term electric supply or other energy-related goods or services including renewable energy certificate contracts at competitive prices to member Massachusetts communities.
Cape Cod Commission
The Cape Cod Commission is the regional land use planning, economic development, and regulatory agency created in 1990 to serve the citizens and 15 towns of Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Commission’s mission is to protect the unique values and quality of life on Cape Cod by coordinating a balanced relationship between environmental protection and economic progress.
What We Do
The CC CAN seeks to help turn individual passion for the global environment into collective, local action…one town at a time. Among our first campaigns was the Declaration of Climate Emergency Initiative, which passed at town meeting or council in 14 of 15 communities across Cape Cod.
By working together, enhancing communication, sharing best practices, and helping promote town-level projects that inform, inspire, and activate citizens and towns region-wide to action, we:
More
- Support and promote developing local climate action groups to mobilize for change at the municipal level
- Facilitate peer learning and tool-sharing to effectively replicate successful programs from one municipality to the next
- Illuminate local climate action network causes and visibility
- Provide toolkits and resources for municipal actions including sample bylaw and resolution language
- Offer access to expert knowledge among regional partners to help effect municipal changes
- Host dedicated climate action network webpages for each Cape Cod town
- Promote cross-sector learning and collaboration through forums, webinars, and conferences.
- Offer updates on statewide and regional policy action
- Hold bi-annual meetings for climate action networks region-wide
- Amplify voices, share expertise, and promote local climate initiatives and campaigns
- Advocate at the local, regional, state, and federal levels for policies and programs that will benefit municipalities and their citizens
- Work with partner organizations, including neighborhood and faith associations and affinity groups, to facilitate action on climate change
- Provide networking support for local CAN campaigns and initiatives
- Network with other climate action networks outside the region
