The Climate Minute

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes was at the center of a twitter debate over media coverage of climate change. Listen in as we discuss.

So the MA Legislature took a swing and missed. No, they fumbled a great chance. No, they dropped the ball. No, they struck out. No, they choked. No, they “could’a been contenders.” OK, sports metaphors don’t work for everyone. The MA Legislature, like Frodo at the Crack of Doom, looked into the abyss of demands from the fossil industry and lost heart. Unfortunately, Gollum was not there to bite the ring off. OK, LOTR references are too opaque. The MA Legislature had the chance to make our state the nation’s leader in clean energy policy, and they failed. It is as simple as that. Constrained by a rigid hierarchy of power in the House and beholden to powerful corporate energy interests, our elected officials ignored visionary policies passed by the Senate and produced a milquetoast, uninspired energy bill that only a utility could love.  As climate hawks, we will take the 2% RPS in this bill but focus on electing true clean energy advocates. And, by the way, we will return to the next legislative session with renewed commitment. As they used to say about the Red Sox, “Wait ‘til next year!”

From the Arctic heat wave to political hypocrisy, we discuss the climate news of the week.

What is the RPS? Why should you care? Listen in as we talk with Eugenia Gibbons (of the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance) about changes to the renewable portfolio standards being considered by the Massachusetts Legislature.

Russia is known for its chess grandmasters, but in Helsinki on July 16th, Trump and Putin, possibly motivated by oil interests, may have handed a checkmate to the rest of the world. This week, follow us through a chain of news analysis that illustrates America’s obsession with fossil fuels and why it promises to lead only to stranded and ---literally---sunken assets.

We discuss the status of clean energy legislation on Beacon Hill. Listen in!

We continue our chat with Senator Pacheco on the Clean Energy Future bill, and how he became a climate activist. Listen in!

Massachusetts State Senator Marc Pacheco is the sponsor of the Clean Energy Future bill that recently passed the Senate. He joined the Climate Minute to discuss some key aspects of the bill. The Senator pointed out that the economic and health benefits of building a renewable future come at no risk, since studies show there would be no rise in electricity rates. This is based on a study by the Applied Economics Clinic. Listen in as we discuss battery storage, solar rates and other aspects of the bill. Remember: Call your State Representative soon (like NOW!) at 617-722-2000 and urge them to support the related bills in the House.

Today’s breaking news is that Scott Pruitt has finally resigned. His venality may be gone but what comes next? Listen in for insight and perspective.

NY AG Eric Schneiderman resigns after the New Yorker reveals him as a violent man. He was leading the effort against Exxon. What now? Back at home, Boston will host a mayoral conference on climate in June. Listen in.

California will insist on solar panels on new homes. And will sue Pruitt over fuel standards. Pretty cool.

Trees play an important role in the vibrancy of cities. Listen in as we speak with David Meshoulam of “Speak for the Trees Boston” at the Local Environmental Action Conference last March at Northeastern.

Scott Pruitt’s tiresome “swamp-monster” routine has moved beyond parody to absurdity, but is nonetheless as a continuing insult to Climate Hawks. SAD! A more constructive and substantive discussion is happening around the putative need to support nukes and the more pragmatic need for electric busses. Listen in!

Systemic racism expresses itself both before the law and in environmental injustice. Progress comes when Climate Hawks speak out about the issue. For example, the Flint water supply was damaged four years ago this week. Activist Siwatu-Salama Ra‘s imprisonment is a case of a combination of injustices. The good news is that a Minnesota judge has allowed the necessity defense in a jury case. This will allow the introduction of climate science into a court hearing—an important precedent for future legal cases. Listen in.

We talk to Nathaniel Stinnett of the Environmental Voter Project about what makes people vote. It turns out that two motivations to vote are peer pressure (you don’t want to be the only one who DIDN’T vote in this wave election) and expressing your deeply held commitment to the earth. Enviro’s should ‘vote like it is your job’ and take pride in expressing their green credentials at the ballot box. Listen in for tips on how to help motivate your friends and neighbors to vote for the planet.