Massachusetts is moving ahead with new wind power developments. This is great, but a few questions sneak into our discussion. The issue of Environmental Justice continues to take stage in the climate movement. From Weymouth to Springfield to Beacon Hill, we discuss various aspects of this important topic.

The reading list:

• MA to double wind commitment
• Hearings on Environmental Justice Bills in MA Legislature
• Weymouth Compressor News
• A new Bio-Mass debate?
• Hearings in Springfield

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

American farmers are late-almost too late- to plant corn because of massive flooding in the Midwest. (Spoiler alert: It’s climate change!) What is to be done? The back and forth between personal climate guilt (because you don’t recycle) and corporate guilt (that they don’t feel) is laid out in stark detail by Mary Annaise Heglar . A better way to think about this is to ‘broaden’ your definition of personal action. Seek those personal action that self-amplify, having a ripple effect on other people. Simply talking about climate change is personal action that influences other people. But how? Listen in as we consider that as well.

Reading list:

• READ THIS!! Heglar on climate guilt and personal action
• Scientists show a 2018 heatwave was caused by climate change.
• US Farmers cannot plant due to floods likely caused by climate change
• Heatwave in India
• Mann says we must have system change
• Marching works!!
• Climate Adam on how to discuss climate change

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 Pilgrim Station nuclear power plant outside Boston shut down this week. That is good news, but also raises questions about what comes next. Fracking technologies can be put to use in creating clean geothermal energy. Should they? Our mindless trade war with China risks the availability of rare earth metals, which are needed for some renewable energy technologies. Should we fight wars, or recycle what we already have? Listen in as we discuss these difficult, but good questions.

The reading list:

• Pilgrim shuts down
• Nuclear storage in the South Pacific at risk
• Fracking for geothermal?
• Compare gas and geothermal fracking
• China to restrict rare earth metals?
• Implications for renewables.

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 Trump Administration is undermining the credibility of US science by attempting to suppress data and modifying the next “National Climate Assessment” so that the science doesn't seem as dire. It is that equally heartening (the NCA provides legal basis to attack Trump's dismantling of climate protections) and maddening (Trump is therefore trying to adjust the next NCA so it loses its teeth and can't be used against bad policy.) In particular, the efforts will

• Force the USGS to model climate effect only thru 2040, hiding the truly bad effects that come later
• Eliminate the ‘worst case’ scenario in future reports
• Resurrect the idea of a White House Panel to review (and distort) the science

All this is in keeping with the latest press release that renames natural gas as ‘freedom gas’ and ‘molecules of freedom.’ After the chuckles die down, we consider the role of branding. Why not call solar panels “Patriot Panels?”

Finally, we discuss the upcoming all generation climate strike slated for September 20. This is your opportunity to take action, wherever you are! Listen in.

 https://soundcloud.com/massclimateaction/truncated-models-climate-strikes-and-freedom-photons-the-climate-minute-podcast

The reading List 

• NYT on the DJT's effort to distort science
• NPR's On Point interviewed Coral Davenport 
• NYT's The Daily interviews Davenport
• Mother Jones on Freedom Gas
• NYT on Freedom Gas
• NYT on how to discuss climate- change the subject!
• Thunberg calls for Sep 20 Strike
• McKibben echoes the call for a strike
• Track strike opportunities here
• Sign up for MCAN's Net Zero Building Webinar!

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 Climate Action Business Association is a membership-based organization in Massachusetts that helps local businesses take targeted action on climate change. Listen in as we chat with Tim Cronin, the Policy & Partnerships Manager about CABA and the weekly Climate Exchange Policy Roundup newsletter. Top stories this week? First it’s the Baker Administration’s apparent suppression of science communication, and then the ongoing saga of the Weymouth Compressor Stations.

The reading list:

• https://cabaus.org/
• Climate Exchange Policy Roundup-- sign for the newsletter here
• Rep Meschino's 2050 climate bill
• Suppression of Science in MA??
• Dave Abel can't find a MA Government scientist to talk to!
• A hitch in compressor hearings

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

The impact of climate change is often seen at the local level, in towns and cities. Whether it is beach erosion on the coast or heat waves in cities, local elected officials are on the scene first. Listen in as we chat with Tim Cronin of the Climate Action Business Association (CABAUS) about the roles and opportunities for local elected officials in fighting climate change.

The reading list:

https://cabaus.org/

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

The Weymouth Compressor saga has many heroes. One such hero is Andrea Honore, who has for months conducted a noontime a vigil outside the Governor’s office in the Statehouse, seeking to make the case about why the compressor should not be built. Listen in as she tells the story of how she came to be the point of a long sword.

The reading list:

• https://sitwithandrea.wordpress.com/

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Building a natural gas compressor station in a busy part of Weymouth seems complicated enough, but when you throw in Sphinx-like leadership styles, backroom sweetheart deals, suppressed data, 200 years of industrial waste and lots of 1,3-butadiene, the plots and subplots multiply. Listen in

The reading list

• FRRACS (NO COMPRESSOR) website
• Itai Vardi of Desmogblog on undisclosed carcinogens
• Matt Beaton leaves to join the pipeline industry
• https://sitwithandrea.wordpress.com/
• Go here to find updates on the May 15 hearing location

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Carbon emissions from Massachusetts’ transportation sector are the next big frontier of climate work in the state. The Governor is searching for ways to finance these efforts and a multi-state effort (called the TCI, for Transportation and Climate Initiative) seems like a good path. At the same time, while his Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs has moved to work with a pipeline company, the incoming Secretary tweets as “@ClimateKatie”.

The reading list:

• Commonwealth Magazine on Gov Baker's TCI efforts
• Matt Beaton leaves to join the pipeline industry
• The new Secretary is Kathleen Theoharides
• MASSLive on Theoharides
• CityScape on Transportation

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Does the imaginative response of the Extinction Rebellion (and that of the Climate Strikes, the Sunrise Movement and others) represent a new way to address the sclerotic politics of our time? Listen in.

The reading list:

• Extinction Rebellion website
• NYT on Extinction Rebellion
• Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel?
• Congress passes HR9 to protect Paris Accord
• Paolo Bacigalupi's short story "A Full Life"

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre