Voices from the Vineyard Wind Job Fair
The clean energy transition means jobs, especially here in Massachusetts. Vineyard Wind is preparing to start construction of a wind farm off the coast. These will be ‘green jobs’ and so it is interesting to find out more specifics. In mid- January, Vineyard Wind held a job fair in New Bedford MA to find workers for the task. We interviewed some of the employers.
The reading list:
- Vineyard Wind
- American Off-shore Services
- IBEW 223
- New Bedford Ocean Cluster
- Browning the Green Space
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
Will geo-engineering make us scream?
A small start-up company offers to inject dust into the sky to reflect sunlight and thus stop global warming. What could possibly go wrong?
The reading list:
- MIT on Making Sunsets
- MakeSunsets
- The Climate MInute on SAI from March of '22
- The Climate Minute on carbon dioxide removal
- Solar radiation management
- Guardian on Geoengineering
- CNBC shills for SAI
- SAI and Ozone
- Academic paper on SAI and Ozone
- WIkipedia on "Ministry for the Future"
- Did SAI play a part in the famous "Scream" painting?
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
“Don’t Look Up” one year later
Over the past year, the movie “Don’t Look Up” has been a streaming hit, logging hundreds of millions of viewing hours. What is it about the movie that made it big? With twelve months perspective, we watch again.
The reading list:
- Finding "Don't Look Up" on Netflix
- Wikipedia on DLU
- Home site for Don't Look Up
- Wen Stephenson's article from 2013 republished on Desmog blog
- Adam McKay dissects key scenes
- DLU has 209.4 million 'viewing hours' on streaming.
- Are activists more interested in not being fooled than in taking action?
- The Climate MInute's original discussion of Don't Look Up from January 2022
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 billion dollar brawl
The ‘oil and gas’ industry works to delay the adoption of climate friendly options for energy. Listen in as we discuss recent news on climate and what it all means.
In this episode we covered the following topics:
- East Boston Olmsted park now part of airport
- NY Times mapping impacts
- University study funding questioned
- Texas oil funding objections to New England wind efforts
- Activists and ISO New England
- NY Times interactive survey fosters discussion
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The Boston Globe article on the former Olmsted Park in East Boston https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/05/metro/transformative-decision-half-century-ago-scrap-i-95-extension-still-resonates-boston-today/
New York Times article on climate impact for neighborhoods https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/13/climate/climate-footprint-map-neighborhood.html
Funding source of university study reveals possible conflict of interest https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/13/science/scientific-journal-investigating-umass-hydrogen-study-after-revelations-gas-industry-influence/
Texas Public Policy funding lawsuits challenging wind https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/04/climate/texas-public-policy-foundation-climate-change.html
Link to Ted’s episode talking with Boston University Prof Nathan Phillips
https://www.massclimateaction.org/activists_take_seats_on_an_iso_committee_december_14_2022
NY Times climate survey with quick answers
See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html
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 wish you a Merry Solstice!
The arrival of the solstice is a chance to contemplate our place in the world, and what it means to be a climate activist. The Climate Minute wishes a happy Winter Solstice, 2022, to everyone.
The reading list:
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
Activists take seats on an ISO Committee: “The taste of democracy was delicious”
ISO-NE is an important but poorly understood institution that controls the market for electricity. It needs to respond more effectively to the climate crisis. Recently, a group of activists were elected to ISO’s ‘Consumer Liaison Group.’ This is a good result, potentially turning an otherwise docile committee to a voice for public input. We speak with one of the activists recently elected to the CLG.
The reading list:
- The "NoCoal/No Gas" blog discussing the CLG election
- A longtime observer describes the CLG election.
- ISO-NE's description of the CLG
- Scroll to the bottom to see an Organization chart showing where CLG fits in
- The Climate MInute on Demystifying FERC
- The Boston Globe on the fusion 'breakthrough"
- The Consumer Liaison Group’s twitter handle: @CLG_NE
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
Nuclear weapons are still with us and still unthinkably dangerous
With the ominous threat of climate catastrophe clouding our future, it is easy to forget that the use of nuclear weapons could bring about immediate destruction on an unimaginable scale. The current ‘casual’ discussion of the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine brings home the reality of our risk. Dr Helen Caldicott is an iconic figure of the effort to abolish nuclear weapons. We speak with her about the issue and its relationship to the climate crisis.
The reading list:
- Dr Caldicott's Movie, recent interview and other information is here
- WaPo on the parallels of climate and nuclear threats
- The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists on AI control of nuclear weapons
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 peaker is coming, but Peabody residents already have higher health risks
After more than a year and a half of calling on the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to do their job and conduct a Comprehensive Health Impact Assessment (CHIA), MCAN took matters into its own hands and conducted a preliminary assessment of the health outcomes of communities that live near the proposed site of the Peabody Peaker. We talk to the author! The results from the study were deeply concerning and highlight the need for additional analysis on the impact the proposed Peabody Peaker will have on neighboring communities that are already overburdened.
The reading list:
- MCAN's summary of the report
- The full report "Pollution People and Powerplant: Health Burdens in Peabody MA"
- Use MCAN's toolkit to spread the word on social media
- The Boston Globe on the 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 that protects environmental justice communities.
Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre
Jeff Roy on prospects for 2023
As we head into the new year, we are joined by State Representative Jeffrey Roy to discuss prospect for state level climate work next year.
In this episode we covered the following topics:
- Green banking, what is it?
- Smart metering, better able to manage use by knowing what and when it is being used; rebate potential for off-peak use
- Grimsby, England and video segment on 60 Minutes; Franklin Sheet Metal part of the developing ecosystem being built to support green energy
- Building net zero stretch code opt in, pilot with 10 communities to gain lessons learned; Clean Heat Report due Nov 2022
- How it will be working on climate legislation with the new Governor
This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well.
The reading list:
- Grimsby, England and 60 Minutes video segment
- https://www.cbsnews.com/video/wind-energy-grimsby-england-60-minutes-video-2022-10-16/#x
- Elton John “Grimsby” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7K3ddSNGbA
- Link to Channel 5 piece on MassSave -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/representative-roy-addresses-masssave.html
- See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html
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
Thanksgiving Leftovers
There are more climate stories than we can discuss. In true Post-Thanksgiving fashion, we discuss the ‘left over” stories that happened in November. Thanks to DR Tucker for his research!
The reading list:
- https://www.axios.com/2022/11/30/mauna-loa-volcano-eruption-keeling-curve
- https://www.danielharper.org/yauu/2015/12/macomber-turnip/
COP27
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/11/08/egypt-cop27-alaa-hunger-strike/
- https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/final-week-cop27-climate-talks-success-hinges-loss-damage-2022-11-14/
- https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/15/the-guardian-view-on-cop27-this-is-no-time-for-apathy-or-complacency?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
- https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/08/what-cop27
- https://commonwealthmagazine.org/
- The World Took a Bold, Toothless Step Forward on Climate Justice
- Rich nations have promised to pay for the climate crisis – but will they? | Climate crisis | The Guardian
- Greta Thunberg joins march as activists sue Sweden over its climate policies
- Climate change inspired a Kenyan youth to become a world-class ice sculptor : Goats and Soda : NPR
- The Art at COP27 Offered Opportunities to Move Beyond ‘Empty Words’ - Inside Climate News
- For Many, the Global Warming Confab That Rose in the Egyptian Desert Was a Mirage - Inside Climate News
- Glimmers of movement, hope at COP27 – Harvard Gazette
- How China, the world’s top climate polluter, avoids paying for the damage - The Washington Post
- Fox goes on an anti-climate justice marathon after COP27 reparations agreement | Media Matters for America
- Senator Ed Markey Commends COP27 Outcome On Loss & Damage Relief | WBZ NewsRadio 1030
-
Nations reach long-sought agreement on payments for climate damage - POLITICO
- https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/19/climate-summit-damage-payments-deal-cop-00069602
- https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/climate/un-climate-damage-cop27.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
- https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/19/world/cop27-egypt-agreement-climate-intl/index.html
- https://www.npr.org/2022/11/20/1137349916/did-the-world-make-progress-on-climate-change-heres-what-was-decided-at-global-t
- https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/how-to-pay-for-climate-justice-when-polluters-have-all-the-money
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/11/19/cop27-climate-conference-egypt-updates/
- https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19112022/at-cop27-an-11th-hour-deal-climate-reparations/
- https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/19/cop27-climate-deal-payments-00069577
- https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/19/world/historic-compensation-fund-approved-un-climate-talks/
- Maldives minister: negotiators reach deal on climate fund | AP News
- Meet the ‘Closer’ Who Finds the Right Words When Climate Talks Hit a Wall
- Climate Disinformation Campaigns Threaten COP27 Progress, a New Report Concludes - Inside Climate News
- US, China climate envoys meet at COP27 summit in Egypt - The Boston Globe
- John Kerry Tests Positive for Covid at U.N. Climate Talks, Complicating Final Hours
- Cop27 talks in disarray with 1.5C goal at risk, campaigners warn | Cop27 | The Guardian
- At COP27, Activists Say Europe Wants Africa to Become Its 'Gas Station' - Inside Climate News
- Biden released a “nature-based-solutions” climate roadmap at COP27. What is that? - Vox
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Utilities Hope Hydrogen and Biomethane Can Keep the State Cooking, and Heating, With Gas - Inside Climate News
- Commonwealth Wind offshore energy project will stay the course
- New England Climate Leadership: Signs of Holes and Hope - Union of Concerned Scientists
- Study touting hydrogen — a technology favored by gas firms — was funded by gas interests, e-mails show - The Boston Globe
- At deadline, Commonwealth Wind commits to MA offshore project
- Mass Save
- https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/26/science/wellesley-teed-up-bold-move-climate-action-then-came-an-offer-it-couldnt-refuse/
- https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/06/science/beyond-mass-save-legislators-advocates-say-its-time-change/?event=event12
- https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/16/science/study-touting-hydrogen-technology-favored-by-gas-firms-was-funded-by-gas-interests-e-mails-show/#bgmp-comments
- Cheap natural gas is a thing of the past - CommonWealth Magazine
- Prince William and Kate to visit US for climate change prize - BBC News
- Mastodon
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