The Climate Minute

It must be said openly that the 72 degree Fahrenheit temperature record set in Boston on February 22 2018 is a clear indicator of the onset of climate change. Despite the media silence in our city, the physics of climate change progresses relentlessly. What will it take to drive climate into our media? AG Healy has some good ideas about how to use the money won by Massachusetts from VW’s illegal MPG rating scam. Listen in.

In a recent GRIST article, Eric Holthaus describes a devil’s bargain we have already made. The competition between the cooling, reflective particles created in burning fossil fuel and the warming effects of carbon dioxide created in burning those same fuels will end, in favor of the warming CO2, as we move to clean technologies. Listen in as we discuss this new challenge. (Don’t forget to register for the Local Environmental Action Conference March 3 at Northeastern .

The Globe’s editorial (Our Russian ‘pipeline’ and its ugly toll) is an outrage. Its central idea- that environmental activists are NIMBY-motivated and wink at destructive projects in other countries- is an insult to the good faith opponents. The article’s conclusion- that Massachusetts should accept the environmental damage of pipelines in towns like Pittsfield or Danvers- is designed to shame those who speak against the corporate creed of more pipelines. The central dilemma posed by the article-whether should we let others degrade their homes for our fuel or instead that we should degrade our own homes to keep the gas flowing-is a false choice. The third choice, to forego natural gas and build clean energy technology at the scale and pace needed, is our best option. Fortunately, a Massachusetts Senate bill proposed by Mark Pacheco is up to the task of reshaping our energy future with the clean technologies needed. Call your senator and support that bill!

A new report studies the risk to chemical sites from rising seas (think Harvey in Houston.) That coupled with the casual disposal of radioactive waste from fracking is an upsetting prospect. On the happy side of the ledger, California intends to refuse permits to bring oil onto its coasts from Federally approved oil rigs. Quite an idea! Finally, Elon Musk outdoes himself with the launch of a new rocket that put an EV into space. Too cool for school! Listen in.

Governor Baker’s-and Massachusetts'- grand design for procuring green energy with a 192 mile power line across New Hampshire ran into problems recently. It turns out those crusty, cantankerous mountain dwellers up there were not really interested in damaging their view for the sake of a few virtuous MA-holes farther south down Route 93. The rejection of the Northern Pass plan by NH puts the MA green energy procurement plan in disarray. Plus- is EPA cooking the books-and the planet at the same time? Listen in as we discuss.

Join our philosophical journey through politics on today’s podcast. Should an organization dedicated to educating the public about science accept money from people with anti-science views? We visit several examples of museums who received millions to be vague about topics such as climate change. The President’s State of the Union did not mention climate change – unsurprisingly—but we were disappointed that so few of the Democrats responses addressed the problems with “beautiful, clean coal.” Can climate hawks force climate change amelioration to the top of the list for candidates? How would a candidate fare if they focused solely on a climate platform? Along those lines, we discuss New Jersey’s new governor, Phil Murphy, who included climate issues in his platform. Governor Murphy rejoined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), hoping to get back some of the money lost when Chris Christie pulled them out of the agreement. Tune in for more!

The Baker Administration gave approval to a 20-year long contract for the supply of green hydro-electric power. The big winner was Eversource. The deal involves construction (by Eversource) of a 192 mile high voltage line across the mountains of New Hampshire. Both the decision-making process and the decision itself beg questioning. Eversource appears to be both contestant and judge of the proposal, since it owns the Northern Pass infrastructure and will be it’s customer. Further, the wisdom of a 20 year commitment to this system, thus foregoing the opportunity to develop a more robust energy system here in MA, is questionable. Listen in as we consider the big issues at play here.

The Governor gave the State of the Commonwealth speech and set up a commission to study the future of transportation. Listen in!

The administration imposed 30% tariffs on imported solar panels. We discuss.

Listen in as we discuss the efforts by NYC (and maybe LA?) to try to recoup money from Exxon for climate damages.

NYC and the state of New York are divesting. Plus, financial giant Blackrock wants more social benefits from corporations. This is a big deal. Listen in.

Rick Perry, Energy Secretary, put together a convoluted proposal that—in effect—served as a form of welfare for nuclear and coal power plants. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) saw Rick Perry’s wild energy “dance moves” and told him to shuffle off! Climate Hawks should be happy to know that FERC rejected Perry’s proposal as unfair to consumers and ratepayers. In another win for Climate Hawks—from an unlikely proponent—Rick Scott, Governor of Florida, convinced Ryan Zinke, Secretary of Interior, to cancel the plan to drill oil off of Florida’s coast. The Trump Administration approved the entire East and West Coasts to be opened for oil drilling. Many Republican governors, including Massachusetts’ Charlie Baker, have come out against offshore oil drilling. Please contact Governor Baker to thank him. And finally, we discuss Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s recent announcement that NYC will divest $189 billion in pension funds from fossil fuel companies in the next five years. He will also be taking legal action against some of the top carbon emitters for the damages they have inflicted upon New York City. Tune in to hear details! And please be sure to rate us on iTunes – you will help us to spread climate news!

A severe winter storm (dubbed Grayson by the Weather Channel) left Boston and coastal Massachusetts awash, surprising many in the intensity of the flooding impact. Even the Mayor noted that this is a forewarning of the future in a climate-changed world. We should work toward resiliency, but keep in mind that reduction in carbon pollution itself is the best way to protect what we love. Listen in.

A recent study suggests that some men regard protecting the environment as un-masculine behavior. Can that be real? We also review climate communications- does fear work better than reason? And can the Google algorithm be gamed to shows denier links first? Listen in!

As the East Coast settles in for a storm that has ‘undergone bombogenesis,’ we discuss the important stories of 2017. Listen in.