From geo-engineering to bicycling
Changes in the exhaust smoke from ocean freighters starts us on a path to thinking about geo-engineering. Listen in.
The reading list:
Ocean warming a consequence of cutting back on fossil fuel use by container ships
- Twitter thread starts here
https://twitter.com/hankgreen/status/1687535525169930241?t=eDy85gcqMxaxyQwtbs6vsw&s=19
- thread in PDF form (easier to read)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S5GNL_6Qf21KG_sP03btxa0oTiGLnVxO/view?usp=drive_link
Also ->
https://www.science.org/content/article/changing-clouds-unforeseen-test-geoengineerin
g-fueling-record-ocean-warmth
Podcast articles on interview with Wake Smith recorded earlier in 2023
Mt Pinatubo
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature
Other related articles on making sunsets & geoengineering
https://makesunsets.com/pages/faq
https://www.axios.com/2023/02/28/geoengineering-climate-change-research-scientists
back to the stone age for building materials
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/the-guardian-back-to-stone-age.html
8 things that must be done to avoid the worst
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/8-things-world-must-do-to-avoid-worst.html
Find the current global CO2 ppm here
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
What is a green bank?
It will take money to make the energy transition happen, to finance all those good ideas. One way to make that money available is through a ‘green bank’. But what is a green bank? We discuss with some experts.
The reading list:
- From The Conversation: Using green banks to solve America's affordable housing crisis- and climate change at the same time.
- 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
Bad things and good things
With climate disasters appearing in many directions, we review some of the hopeful things happening here in Massachusetts.
The reading list:
- Temperature records -> https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/05/tuesday-was-worlds-hottest-day-on-record-breaking-mondays-record
- Solar power roof maps -> https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/07/06/solar-power-rooftop-map-technical-potential-climate-goals
- Electrical grid interconnections (ISO New England to ISO New York, etc.)
- https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/07/05/electrical-transmission-power-lines-massachusetts-new-england-clean-energy-doe
- Shift in thinking about nuclear -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/shift-in-thinking-on-nuclear-power/
- 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
Every tenth of a degree matters
The Summer of 2023 seems to be a moment where seemingly far future predictions of climate catastrophe are all suddenly around us in real time. From heat domes to a melted Antartic, we are in the midst of a climate changed world. It can be demoralizing. What to do and think? Esch of us needs to find our own special super-power to act in community with others to build a better world.
The reading list:
- The Antarctic
- Boston Globe on heat domes
- The Guardian on links to CO2 as cause of current weather events
- Wildfires in Mediterranean
- Record water temp in Florida Keys
- Collapse of Gulf Stream
- Photos of smoke in Boston
- WBUR on health effects of Canadian smoke
- The Climate MInute speaks to a climate inspired song writer
- MCAN on the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund
- Gandalf Quote
- 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
Smaller but happier lives
The concept of economic growth is central to our politics, and the GDP is an iconic measure. But to ensure a livable planet, we need to respect limits to growth. One path is to live more moderately. It is an interesting idea about how to save the future.
The reading list:
- Bill McKIbben asks "To save the planet, shouldn't we be moving slower?"
- "Bright Green Lies" critiques the idea that we can have everything through technology
- The Climate Minute on Green growth and de-growth
- Stitcher farewell FAQ
- Stitcher FAQ
- 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
A new chapter in ISO transparency
A recent public meeting marked a new chapter in ISO’s transparency. The Citizens Liaison Group, a committee of ISO-NE held an event near the contested Peaker Plant in Peabody.. Some of the issues under discussion were the possible use of ‘storage batteries’ to provide clean electricity instead of by a fossil fuel plant. Another was ISO’s failure to recognize citizens groups seeking to input views on ISO’s plans. Listen in to hear from some of the attendees
The reading list:
- ISO's Consumer Liaison Group
- No Coal, No Gas
- The Climate Minute on activist's takeover of the CLG
- Wildfire smoke makes ISO's PV predictions difficult
- A movie on the Peabody Peaker by Steve Andrada
- The Christmas Eve outages
- Breath Clean North Shore
- Slingshot's Fix the Grid Campaign
- The Climate MInute tries to demystify ISO and it's org chart
- The ISO to Go app
- 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
Climate Lessons from Roller Skating
MCAN’s new board member talks to us about her work, how she ended up in the climate movement and lessons she learned on the way.
The reading list:
- Tree cover equity in Boston
- Climate Resilience at Mystic River Watershed Association
- What is climate resilience?
- Quote from John Muir
- Sierra Club calls out John Muir
- A roller skating champion!
- A skate shop in NH
- 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
Embodied Carbon, explained
Your home emits CO2 when you use gas to heat it. That’s called operational carbon emissions. Did you know that lots of CO2 was emitted just making the stuff in your walls? Embodied carbon is the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building and infrastructure materials. We talk to MCAN’s Better Buildings Campaign Director to find out how we can reduce the embodied carbon in our buildings.
The reading list:
- A two page summary of embodied carbon- check this out!
- Learn and take action at the MCAN page on embodied carbon
- The Rocky Mountain Institute explains embodied carbon
- A startup in Boston is making low carbon cement
- Wikipedia on Portland Cement
- Environmental Product Declarations (EDP) explained
- The Climate Minute on the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund
- 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 Forward Clean Energy Market, explained
How can we make it easier for the grid to transition to clean energy? The Forward Clean Energy Market can help. Listen in to MCAN’s expert explain this new idea.
The reading list:
- MCAN's toolkit to learn and comment on the FCEM proposal
- The FCEM proposal from DOER
- Some power plants failed to keep their promise to be ready over the Christmas 2022 holiday
- UtilityDive on Forward clean energy markets
- The Climate Minute on de-mystifying ISO and the grid
- The Climate Minute on RECs
- 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
Renewable Energy Certificates explained
If you want to understand the transition to clean energy, you need to understand Renewable Energy Certificates. We talk to MCAN’s Clean Energy Director to find out more about what a REC is, and why they matter.
The reading list:
- The EPA on Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)
- EnergySage on Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)
- RECs explained
- 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 that protects environmental justice communities.
Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre