The Climate Minute

The coming battle over building codes: The Climate Minute

Building codes matter for climate work. The future of buildings lies in complete electrification of things now done with gas, like home heating and cooking. “Good insulation” is not enough. Recently special interests like the natural (methane) gas industry have tried to prevent improved building codes that deal with electrification. Listen in for details and say farewell to an MCAN veteran. 

FERC has second thoughts: The Climate Minute

Arcane questions about past decisions hides the reality of a deeper uncertainty at FERC concerning the wisdom of building the Weymouth Compressor. We talk to an expert about what is really happening between FERC, Enbridge and the stalwart activists in the Fore River Basis.

Justice and building codes: The Climate Minute

Massachusetts is close to a landmark climate bill. We talk to two experts about how the provisions of the new bill align with the MCAN vision.

The Globe is not the Planet: The Climate Minute

Covid and Climate represent challenges that “nations” fail to meet. Nations focus on ‘globalization’ of human issues like trade, travel and information while ignoring the physical limits of the planet. We discuss new ways to think about how humanity should organize itself- with the goal of preserving itself! 

The Roadmap as Prologue: The Climate Minute

The Next Generation Roadmap bill advanced in the Massachusetts Senate, and continues to inch forward. If it becomes law, it will serve as a context and reference point to assess other bills and policies. For example, are MBTA service cuts consistent with reducing emissions by 50%?  What shall we do to retrofit the 80% of existing buildings that will still be standing in 2050?  The roadmap bill is not an end, but a beginning.

Cleaning up our energy: The Climate Minute

Massachusetts’ proposed “100% Clean Act” deals with both clean electricity (from wind and solar) and other forms of clean energy in transportation and buildings.  In this episode we talk to an expert about the pragmatic path to 100% clean energy in these sectors.

Cleaning up our electricity: The Climate Minute

Massachusetts’ proposed “100% Clean Act” would eliminate carbon emissions from electricity generation, transportation and buildings.  In this episode we talk to an expert about the pragmatic path to 100% clean electricity by 2035.

The MCAN Newsletter, February edition: The Climate Minute

The MCAN Newsletter keeps you up to date on climate issues and activities.  Check it out.

The climate messes with Texas: The Climate Minute

Disaster struck in Texas in February. A combination of man-made, climate-related weather extremes and man-made planning mistakes and malfeasance led to millions freezing in the dark without water. The debacle in the Lone Star state can be viewed from many perspectives and provides lessons to us all. We try to get our arms around a few of these.

Returns on a Climate Investment: The Climate Minute

The new Green Future Act proposal in the MA Legislature provides the funding for climate initiatives. What are those new initiatives? What are the benefits? We talk with an expert about how the money will be spent and what that spending will do.