MA clean energy policy is paying off. Commitments to renewables, made years ago, resulted this week in a 405M$ auction of off-shore wind leases. Today, decisions are being taken to support clean transportation options that we will enjoy in the future. These are the fruits of determined work by Climate Hawks.

Reading list:

• Globe on $405M offshore lease auction
• Globe on the MA Transportation study
• MASSLive on RGGI for cars
• BlueMass cautions on regional plan

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

We debrief on recent happenings at COP24 in Poland. A Swedish high-schooler who instigated a worldwide strike, spoke to the session. The US was mocked for touting the benefits of fossil fuel, and condemned for denying the acceptance of a scientific report. A leading US official literally ran away from Amy Goodman rather than answer questions. On the other hand, the Sunrise movement has gained momentum on Capitol Hill. Listen in!

The reading list:

• Swedish Highschooler lectures the grown ups
• Svante Arrhenius was a smart cookie
• Good fellas from US, Russia and Saudi block a scientific report
• Activist mock US stance on coal
• Amy Goodman keeps pace with fleeing politician
• The Sunrise Movement pays Speaker Pelosi a visit

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

Gary Rucinski joins us to discuss the “Energy Innovation and Carbon Distribution Act” aka EICDA, which was recently introduced in the US Congress. Listen in as we explore this plan to ‘put a price on carbon.’

The reading list:

• Press Release on the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
• More information on EICDA
• Citizen's Climate Lobby
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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

George HW Bush famously pitted the “White House effect” against the greenhouse effect. How did he do, ultimately? One of Bush’s actions resulted in the current COP24 in Poland. That meeting is under a cloud of coal dust. What’s up with that? Bernie Sanders held a live stream town hall on climate. Did they pull punches on the media? Listen in to find out.

The reading list:

• Forbes on GHW Bush's environmental legacy
• NYT on the COP in Poland
• Sanders Town Hall

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

On today’s show, we revisit the green new deal and the Sunrise Movement. We take a deep dive on the best path toward decarbonization - will a carbon tax be enough? Or do we need more robust government intervention? Tune in and let us know what you think in the comments. Bonus: Ted has tucked a Moby Dick reference in your stocking. Check it out.

Links for further listening:

• DR and Mariah's recent discussion of the Green New Deal
• Altemouse at Commonwealth Mag on a MA Green New Deal
• The whaleboat story
• Green New Deal outline
• Fred Hewett on the Yellow Vests and inclusion

• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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 National Climate Assessment (aka the NCA) was released on Black Friday. Ironically this allowed more media coverage of the dire message. Why do we have this report? What does the report say? How should we think about it? Listen in as we put this report in context and try to understand the implications.

The reading list:

• Background on the NCA history
• Katherine Hayhoe explains it to you
• Max Boot gets it
• The full NCA link
• Is GDP the right metric?
• Shared Socioeconomic pathways
• Dave Roberts on Pod Save America
• Chuck Todd fails
• Genevieve Guenther on how media can improve coverage

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 infrastructure of natural gas pipelines showed it’s danger recently when multiple explosions in three Merrimack Valley communities occurred simultaneously. How should a climate hawk think about this? Is it a chance to ‘electrify everything?’ If you want to help, check out Nathan Phillips gofundme page.  

The reading list:

• Globe on post explosion scrutiny
• Roberts "Electrify Everything"
• Gofundme for cook-plates
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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

As Massachusetts advances down the path of a clean energy future, the question of carbon emissions from transportation becomes more and more important. How can we reduce carbon pollution from the everyday process of getting from here to there? Listen in as we discuss ideas from the mundane to electrified roadways.

The reading list:

• Tragedy in Italy
• Heavy rain disrupts transportation in Eastern Massachusetts
• Low cost power from Vineyard Wind
• GWSA and transportation
• An e-road in Sweden
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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 California fires serve as an illuminating backdrop for absurd comments from Ryan Zinke and legal positioning by corporate CEOs. Listen in.

The reading list:

• Facing Billions in Fire Damage, CEO Blames Climate Change
• Wildfires are enviro's fault, says Zinke
• HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

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

California is literally burning up – is this the new normal? We hope not. The good news is that the mainstream media seems, finally, to give credit to climate change as a force to be reckoned with. The Trump Administration’s collusion, delusion, and confusion may interfere with California’s auto standards, but if states can stand strong, there is still hope for our competitiveness in the global landscape. Looking for a simple everyday action that you can do? Connect with Shave The Peak campaign to learn when your actions will keep the state of MA from using dirty fossil fuel energy. Tune in for details.

https://soundcloud.com/massclimateaction/trump-fiddles-while-california-burns-the-climate-minute-podcast

Further reading:

• Shave the Peak Campaign https://www.massenergy.org/shavethepeak
• EPA cannot deny CA http://policyintegrity.org/files/publications/No_Turning_Back.pdf
• Net Zero Webinar: https://www.massclimateaction.org/8_15_net_zero_roundtable_webinar
• org WeRise event on September 8^th: https://peoplesclimate.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.