In addition to global warming pollution, the manufacture and disposal of plastic creates environmental injustice. Frontline communities are devastated by local pollution from the factories, and the export of our garbage to other continents leads to horrific scenes on the coasts of other places. Micro-plastics are ubiquitous and wildlife cannot distinguish plastic from their food. You can lobby your MoC for the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act.

The reading list:

• The Climate Minute on making plastics from methaneReport: Plastic is the new coal, from Beyond Plastic Break Free from Plastic
• A refinery in Monaca PA
• Here is the bill to address the 'upstream' manufacture
• Cancer Alley
• Are you eating a credit card per week of microplastic?
• https://upstreamsolutions.org/national-reuse-network

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

As renewables get cheaper, the methane industry is trying to find new markets in making plastic. However, plastic manufacture generates lots of greenhouse gases. In fact, the push to make plastic is like adding many new coal plants. We talk with an expert about a new report called “Plastic is the new coal.” Listen in!

The reading list:

• Report: Plastic is the new coal, from Beyond Plastic
• Break Free from Plastic
• A refinery in Monaca PA
• Here is the bill to address the 'upstream' manufacture
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/984/all-info
• Greenpeace on the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act
• Shelton Group says many people don't want more plastic

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

The tourism and hospitality industry has a role to play in addressing climate change. We talk to an expert who is leading an effort to make the European industry more sustainable.

The reading list:

• The European Sustainable Hospitality (ESH) Club
• The Climate Minute talks to Dan Portalier on fast fashion
• Pontarlier's book "From Trash to Runway"
• Follow him @DPontarlier
• About Dan Pontarlier

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

On GreenTV.com, you can hear interviews with the most knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging environmental experts! We talk with Betsy Rosenberg, a co-founder of this new digital media channel.

The reading list:

• https://www.greentv.com/

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

The citizens of Chelsea must live with the pollution from industries that service all of us. The negative impact on those citizens, while most of the rest of us get only the benefits, represents an injustice. This injustice will be perpetuated in the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP) if we don’t take active measures to avoid it. Listen to an expert in environmental justice lay out the facts.

The reading list:

• GreenRootChelsea homepage
• GreenRoots blog on EJ and Chelsea
• The home page of GasLeaksAllies.org
• The webinar video
• The "GSEP at the 6 Year Mark" report
• The Climate Minute with Dr Seavy on the GSEP from the GasLeaksAllies webinar
• The Climate Minute with Sen Barrett on how to pivot away from the GSEP

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Massachusetts’ mega-project to fix gas leaks has been shown to be ineffective in reaching its goal. Senator Barrett explains what the state legislature, and all climate activists, can do to manage the retreat from methane. Thanks to GasLeaksAllies.org for permission to use this audio- you can see the webinar at their site.

The reading list:

• The webinar video
• The "GSEP at the 6 Year Mark" report
• The Climate Minute with Dr Seavy on the GSEP from the GasLeaksAllies webinar
• WBUR FAQ on MA Climate Roadmap bill
• UMASS Climate Systems Research Center
• Acadia Center on Future of Heat Commission
• MCAN on net zero building codes
• The home page of GasLeaksAllies.org
• Geo-district heating

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

“Green” hydrogen, produced with renewable energy, will be an important tool for decarbonization. We need to use this tool correctly, in places where it is the only answer. We talk with an expert about the best uses of green hydrogen. We can begin by replacing the ‘grey’ hydrogen (derived from methane) already being used in many industries. That would be a big step all by itself. Then we can look at steel, shipping and maybe even airplanes- if battery technology doesn’t’ get there first.

The reading list:

• EarthJustice report: Reclaiming hydrogen as a renewable energy
• The Climate Minute Podcast with Sara Gerson on grey, blue and green hydrogen
• Electric airplanes
• Geothermal microdistricts
• Form Energy
• Hydrogen in International shipping
• Howarth and Jacobson: How green is blue hydrogen?
• Time Magazine questions wisdom of getting hydrogen from methane
• An example of the gas industry's hydrogen scam, at Peabody Peaker!
• NYT's Tabuchi on hydrogen from methane
• S&P podcast on blue hydrogen
• Guardian on false claims by fossil industry, exec resigns
• DeSmogBlog on blue hydrogen
• Eye opening piece on the dangers of CCS pipelines

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Since 2014, MA utilities have been given money to fix methane leaks. Despite lots of money spent, we have little to show for years of effort. A new report details the failure to address this important climate problem. Listen to the report author in a recent webinar hosted by GasLeaksAllies.org (Thanks to GasLeaksAllies for permission to use this audio!)

The reading list:

• The home page of GasLeaksAllies.org
• The webinar video
• The "GSEP at the 6 Year Mark" report
• Boston Globe reports how methane leaks are wildly underestimated

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Fast Fashion encourages cheap and disposable clothing, but comes at an environmental cost. Dan Pontarlier offers a path that combines fashion and sustainability.

The reading list:

• Pontarlier's book "From Trash to Runway"
• Follow him @DPontarlier
• About Dan Pontarlier
• What is fast fashion?
• Impacts of Fast Fashion in Ghana
• UN describes how fashion industry and respond
• NYT on sustainable clothing

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Methane (AKA natural gas) is a super greenhouse gas. The myriad leaks in pipes from wellhead to your home demand immediate attention. Listen to an expert describe what we can do about methane. Spoiler alert: we can reduce the leaks by 65% by 2025!

The reading list:

• EPA page on regulating methane
• AN EPA video about the use of Infra-red camera to see methane leaks
• Industry reactions to methane rules
• Markey on the Civilian Climate Corp
• Extinction Rebellion sails a pink boat to the Governor's mansion
• https://www.catf.us/about/
• https://www.catf.us/work/super-pollutants/
• https://www.catf.us/2021/08/ipccs-new-assessment-report-highlights-the-urgency-of-sharp-reductions-in-methane/
• https://www.climatechangenews.com/2021/08/11/ipcc-report-prompts-calls-tackle-methane-emissions-cop26/
• https://www.factcheck.org/2018/09/how-potent-is-methane/
• https://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CATF_Methane_2Pager_06.24.21.pdf

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre