As we move to a 100% clean energy future, keep in mind that we will need to add windmills and PV to make the power to charge our cars and heat our homes in addition to just ‘keeping the lights on.” These new uses will demand lots of new windmills and solar panels each year, more than we are currently planning.

The reading list:

• Electrify everything
• Narwhale chart
• Commonwealth Magazine on decarbonization
• Mayflower Wind wins contract

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

There is news all over the map this week. The situation in Weymouth continues to boil. Follow #NoWeymouthCompressor for timely updates. The Corp of Engineers wants your comment on building new bridges across the Cape Cod Canal. GM thinks your car should emit more CO2, while folks in Chile think the trains should be cheaper. Listen in for the climate connections.

https://www.wbur.org/earthwhile/2019/10/25/with-permits-upheld-weymouth-compressor-opponents-plan-legal-challenge

“On Friday morning, the Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station said it would appeal the decision to Superior Court, arguing the permits in fact violate environmental regulations.”

https://www.nocompressor.com/news/2019/10/31/preview-our-new-documentary-film-about-health-impacts-in-the-basin

https://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20191031/more-time-allotted-for-public-comment-on-canal-bridge-study

“Public comment on the study was supposed to end Nov. 1, but the Corps decided to extend it for two weeks to Nov. 15, according to a statement.

In the study, released in early October, the Corps recommended replacing the two 84-year-old bridges with new, wider spans. It recommended six-lane bridges with four through lanes and two auxiliary lanes, along with shoulders, a median and a pedestrian and bicycle lane.The goal of the study was to decide whether the Corps should continue to rehabilitate the bridges or build new ones. The agency has been holding public comment sessions on the plans both on-Cape and off. “

[email protected]

https://legal-planet.org/2019/10/31/toyotas-defense-of-its-choice-to-support-the-trump-administrations-auto-standards-rollback-rings-hollow/

“In fact, Toyota is the only major automaker whose US GHG emissions and fuel economy have gotten worse since 2012.”

https://legal-planet.org/2019/10/31/are-you-sure-thats-what-you-want/

“If what the intervening automakers—GM, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler, and others—were looking to get out of this whole mess was a slight tweak to the existing national program, throwing in behind the administration could be a bad gamble: they’ve burned their bridges with California, and the administration’s ill-conceived rule shouldn’t inspire much confidence. “

In Chile, metro fare protests spin out of control and lead to COP25 changes.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chile-protests/spain-likely-to-host-cop25-climate-change-summit-after-chiles-withdrawal-idUSKBN1XA26P

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chile-protests-lithium/chile-protesters-block-access-to-lithium-operations-local-leader-idUSKBN1X42B9

“Protesters from indigenous communities around Chile’s Atacama salt flats, among the world’s richest reserves of lithium, have blocked access to lithium operations amid nationwide rallies over inequality, a local leader said on Friday.”

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-50215011

"It's really important that we use these inhalers wisely, that patients have good technique and they have their technique assessed so we can really make sure every puff counts," he said.

We skip the California fires, new flooding estimates, recognition that we need to increase electricity generation, Greta prize, Rex at a climate trial. The news rolls on.

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

Everybody loves to fly, but aviation has a big and increasing climate impact. What are the prospects for greening flight? Plus questions: do we value air travel over the planet? Would the global economy decline if it took a week to get to China? Listen in.

The reading list:

• BBC on the impact of travel choices
• Yale on reducing fights for academics
• Virgin Air's Branson thinks we all want to fly
• A rundown of the issues, plus a suggestion to slow down
• Pressure on aviation industry to clean up
• UK proposal to ban frequent flyer programs and tax air miles.
• How to make transportation carbon neutral? - David Keith
• Cape Air's electric plane!

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

We unpack the news that twenty companies are responsible for one third of carbon pollution, and see how this relates to carbon budgets and ongoing liability lawsuits.

 https://soundcloud.com/massclimateaction/twenty-the-climate-minute-podcast

The reading list:

• The Guardian reports that 20 corporations are responsible for 1/3 of pollution
• Infographic showing similar carbon budget info as quoted in the show.
• DeSmogBlog reports on AG Healy's lawsuit against Exxon
• ClimateLiabilityNews update on the NY trial of Exxon

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

Thoreau’s cabin is only a few miles from Weymouth, but his ideas are becoming important to the discussion. The unwanted Weymouth Compressor Station is close to obtaining it’s last permits. Deadlines loom in early November. If you want to do something about it, call Commissioner Suuberg and urge him to deny the permits. It’s 617-292-5500, ext 7882.

Reading list:

• Last two permits for Weymouth Compressor
• Actions you can take to stop the compressor
• Our discussion with Nathan Phillips on his arrest
• Martin Suuberg's contact info
• XR Rebellion 'direct action' in London
• BBC on XR Rebellion
• Shell CEO claims 'no choice'
• Guardian on the 20 firms that are responsible for 1/3 of carbon
• MLK Institute information on non-violence

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 burner tip on your gas stove is the endpoint of a complex system of gas delivery that starts at a wellhead in a gas field out West and runs under the streets of your town to your home. Unfortunately, the system has some inherent problems that range from climate effects to health problems and explosion risks. Listen to an expert discuss some of the problems with our gas infrastructure.

 https://soundcloud.com/massclimateaction/from-wellhead-to-burner-tip-the-climate-minute-podcast

 The reading list:

• HEETMA
• The Massachusetts FUTURE Bill H2849
• Gas System Enhancement project
• Gas Leak Allies
• The Shock Doctrine
• Recent leaks in Lawrence
• What is a wellhead?

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 crisis point of the proposed natural gas Compressor Station in Weymouth is coming in early November. Recently, an activist was arrested during a protest against the station. We speak with Nathan Phillips about his experience and rising stakes in perhaps the most important climate issue in Massachusetts’ politics.

The Reading List:

• NO COMPRESSOR is the informative website of FRRACS (The Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station)
• Wicked Local report on the direct action
• The FANG ( Fighting Against Natural Gas) website
• The National Lawyer's Guild
• A form to pledge action in Weymouth

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.

UN leaders met in NY to prepare for next year’s new commitments to the Paris Accord goals. Some small nations are doing their part, but leadership from the US is absent. An IPCC report on the oceans is sobering.

The reading list:

• The Nation on the Paris Accord
• The Atlantic on the IPCC Oceans report
• United in Science report

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.

Greta Thunberg’s speech at the UN contained the line “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” In a warming world, can we continue to pursue higher and higher GDP? The “Doughnut Economy” gives us a new way to think.

The reading list:

• WATCH: Greta Thunberg's full speech to world leaders at UN Climate Action Summit
• McKibben on fairy tales
• Kai Ryssdal talks to an economist about growth
• George Monbiot review of The Doughnut Economy
• author Kate Raworth's website

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 fossil fuel industry needs the finance industry- comprised of banks, asset managers and insurance companies- the way humans need air to breath. That is why Bill McKibben says ‘money is the oxygen which fires global warming.’ He makes a cogent argument that the oil industry would be crippled if banks decided not to provide loans. If crippling the oil-extraction industry sounds good to you, listen in.

The reading list;

• Bill McKibben says "money is the oxygen on which the fire of global warming burns"

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