In the first of two episodes, we hear about private jet traffic at Hanscom Field. Spoiler alert: it is mostly rich people taking relatively short (and consequently very carbon polluting) flights to vacation getaways. Should your state government (n the form of MassPort) permit the expansion of these polluting luxury trips? You will have a better answer after listening.

The reading list:

• Report: "Hanscom High Flyers" on who flies where
• The Coalition to stop private jet expansion at Hanscom or anywhere
• Commonwealth Magazine on Statehouse protests
• BBC: a few frequent fliers dominate air travel
• Find the current global CO2 ppm here
• How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

“Stopping climate change is easy,” said nobody ever. From nuisance lawsuits designed to stall wind turbines, to misalignments in state laws, to very real and impactful choices in Somerset we grapple with current issues in addressing global warming here in Massachusetts.

The reading list:

• Unfounded lawsuits against Vineyard Wind get tossed
• Well intentioned MA rules could delay the purchase of electric school buses
• Somerset comes face to face with a difficult choice
• Commonwealth Mag reports 'tensions boil" in Somerset
• Commonwealth Magazine says Healy Admin backs Somerset plant
• Rules slow energy efficiency efforts of a condo owner.All the "Making Sense of Climate" episodes gathered here!
• Find the current global CO2 ppm here
• How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

The Supreme Court has decided to hear a case that could upend how government functions, and make it more difficult to address climate issues. We discuss that plus the proposed pipeline expansion in New England, as well as a cool new electric bike.

The reading list:

• NRDC: What happens if the court ends the "Chevron Deference" doctrine.
• ProPublica: Is Clarence Thomas in the bag?
• Good podcast series on how to fix SCOTUS
• Globe on protests over Hanscom Expansion
• WBUR on the proposed pipeline expansion
• WBUR's Wasser on a podcast explaining FERC's role in the pipeline expansion process
• Franklin Matters references to the pipeline
• An e-bike that doesn't need a battery.
• Role of grid scale batteries
• Wikipedia on Form Energy
• The 'Making Sense of Climate' Series
• Find the current global CO2 ppm here
• How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

We talk to State Representative Jeffrey Roy about Massachusetts’ efforts to implement wind power. Jeff provides insights from

• his trip to Ireland
• his visit to the offshore wind turbine construction underway
• his efforts with legislation underway

Along the way we find out about the Northern Ireland Parliament not having met in 3 years and the origin of Robert's Rules of Order in New Bedford.

The reading list:

Drone footage of turbine leaving New Bedford harbor https://youtu.be/4locoph2dMg

CommonWealth Magazine article on wind power quoting Jeff https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/governors-including-healey-raise-concerns-about-offshore-wind-pricing/

WBUR explainer on the status of the wind industry

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/10/05/offshore-wind-massachusetts-vineyard-climate-whale-deaths-lawsuits

New Bedford - Robert’s Rules of Order -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/new-bedford-leads-in-value-of-fish.html

Solar power technical potential map from State of MA https://www.mass.gov/info-details/technical-potential-of-solar-study#report-and-storymap-

More about the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilites and Energy (TUE)

https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J37

** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html

Find the current global CO2 ppm here

How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

The March to End Fossil Fuels occurred on September 17, 2023. We talk to the marchers and hear what it all sounded like.

The reading list:

• Primary March website "End Fossil Fuels"
• The Climate Minute on preparations for the march
• 350MA March site
• Mass Teachers Association Climate page
• RI Climate Action
• Food and Water Watch
• Sustainability at UMASS Dartmouth
• Wikipedia on Warming Stripes
• Brandeis' warming stripes banner
• Time Magazine on the protest
• Find the current global CO2 ppm here
• How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

In an era where we need to build green energy system rapidly, ‘permitting reform’ has become a confusing and divisive buzzword. In fact, the permitting process is not the source of delays in developing clean energy, nor should it be used as an excuse to rescue failing oil projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline. We speak with an expert who knows what it takes to bring new clean energy into the system and has ideas about how to do it quickly.

The reading list:

• Report: A Progressive Take on Permitting Reform
• Factsheet for the Progressive Take on Permitting Reform
• Find the current global CO2 ppm here
• How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

The weather has been wild this summer,and the town of Leominster was struck with a massive rainfall and subsequent flooding this week. A warm-water-fueled Hurricane Lee is approaching New England. You may be wondering about how well your town is prepared for abnormal weather in a warming world. We talk to the head of emergency planning for a typical Massachusetts town. Listen in to find out what you may need to know.

The reading list:

• NYT on Leominster flooding
• NBC Boston on flooding
• Photos from MASSLIVE
• The Weather Channel on Leominster
• Resources available on Town page 
• Hazard mitigation plan
• Home emergency guide
• ** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes listed here. 
• Find the current global CO2 ppm here
• How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

Strange weather continues to drive our conversations this summer, but an encouraging court ruling and a dismaying move in Africa are also worth talking about.

The reading list:

Tornados near franklin

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/flooding-downed-trees-power-outages-impacts-from-friday-mornings-severe-weather/3116175/

Tornado safety tips shared

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/franklin-fire-shares-tornado-safety-tips.html

Hurricane near LA

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66559623

Warmer water off mexico,Heat dome in midwest alters wind direction on CA coast

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2023-08-20/what-climate-factors-made-hurricane-hilary-possible

Massachusetts’ goal to reduce driving lags behind other states

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/13/metro/massachusetts-goal-reduce-driving-lags-behind-other-states/

Montana lawsuit. MA has an amendment

https://theconversation.com/montana-kids-win-historic-climate-lawsuit-heres-why-it-could-set-a-powerful-precedent-207907

Podcast on green amendments..

https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/e/you-have-a-right-to-free-speech-why-not-a-right-to-clean-air/

Juliana lawsuit

https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/juliana-v-us

Carbon offset purchase by United Arab Emirates

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/liberia-to-concede-10-of-its-land-to-emirati-company-that-will-use-it-for-carbon-credits/ar-AA1eNmz2

How to purchase carbon offsets for flights

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-to-purchase-carbon-offsets-for-your-next-flight

Amazon link for King Leopold’s Ghost

https://www.amazon.com/King-Leopolds-Ghost-story-rubber/dp/B0BQG6JZ6W

Energize Franklin web page -> www.energizefranklin.org/

YouTube video walking through the Energize Franklin web page https://youtu.be/myUzRaFXpsI

Find the current global CO2 ppm here

How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

The March to End Fossil Fuels will happen in NYC on September 17, days before the UN Climate Summit begins. You can catch a chartered bus to attend! Marchers want Joe Biden to stop permitting pipelines, stop drilling on Federal land, declare a climate emergency and provide a Just Transition. Go to EndFossilFuels.us or 350MASS to learn more, but first listen in to hear what it is all about.

The reading list:

• The UN Secretary General wants a 'no nonsense' climate summit
• Good information about the march here at the ENDFOSSILFUELS.US link
• Find out about buses from up and down the East Coast here
• 350MASS information on the march
• 350MASS eventbrite signup for bus rides to NYC
• The Climate Minutes covered the "stop the money pipeline" event in April 2023
• The Climate Minute covered the People's Climate March in May 2017
• Find the current global CO2 ppm here
• How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre

We have a wide-ranging discussion with author Bill Sargent, based on his recent book about climate journalists. Listen in!

The reading list:

• Bill Sargent's website
• Amazon link to Bill Sargent’s book “Backstory: Journalists off the Record
• Amazon link to Bill Sargent's book "World on Edge"
• Sargent's "Crab Wars"
• Amazon link to Chris Tomas' book "Inheritors of the Earth: How Nature is Thriving in an Age of Extinctions"
• A natural lunar cycle may make flooding worse in the 2030s
• The Climate Minute on ocean freighter based geo-engineering and warmer water
• Find the current global CO2 ppm here
• How many days ‘til 2030?

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 that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre