The Climate Minute

Troubling facts about lithium mining: The Climate Minute's Lithium Series (Episode 3)

 If we don’t recycle it, then we must mine new lithium. We speak with an expert from EarthWorks on the troubling truth that lithium mining, from brine or ‘hard rock’ is damaging to local environments and communities.  We discuss how to tell if your lithium is responsibly sourced.

Looking at the Energy Transition through the Lithium Lens: The Climate Minute Lithium Series

As heat waves and floods assault us, humans are in the midst of a great societal energy transition. We must find ways to decarbonize. The question is no longer if, but rather how, to build the clean energy system we need. The coming changes are so broad that they can be hard to comprehend. It is helpful to narrow the discussion. In this series of podcasts, we study the big question of how to build a new future thru the lens of a specific issue: the production and use of lithium. Listen in as we dip our toes into the oceans of questions about how to build a just energy transition. 

Peak days need a shave! The Climate Minute

It turns out that those hot humid August days are great opportunities to take climate action.  We talk with an expert about how to cut carbon emissions and save money, by participating in Green Energy Consumer Alliance's "Shave the Peak" program. It is free and will make you feel better about the heat.

Advice on how to lobby your elected: The Climate Minute

Climate activist can take advantage of opportunities to speak with their elected officials.  Lobbying can seem intimidating. What is the best way to do it?  We talk to a legislator about what he hopes to hear from people who come to talk to him about pending legislation.

Theologia Solis: The Climate Minute

 How do you build a moral code based on principles the Sun has ‘taught’ us? How can we incorporate scientific lessons about ecological systems into our lives?

Green Prophets, Climate Saints and Eco-Bodhisattvas: The Climate Minute

Climate change demands rethinking of our moral, ethical and perhaps even religious stance to life. Recently we  posted discussion on how reasonable a solar deity actually is. This episode examines the pantheon of minor deities to ready to help us.

The Case for a Solar Deity: The Climate Minute

The Summer Solstice is a reminder of the role the Sun plays in our lives. The sun has a lot of interesting attributes: It exists, it gives us life, it controls the planet and it teaches us how to live. We would do well to give it more honor and respect. 

Urban hiking on the frontiers of climate change: The Climate Minute

The century old vision of the common good as expressed in urban parkland is at least partially realized in Boston’s Emerald Necklace. Thinking about the parks that were, and were not, built over the last decades is a great way to consider our climate-constrained future. What lessons should we learn about the interplay of green spaces in dense urban areas? We talk with an author and champion for urban hiking. 

ISO who? The Climate Minute

The industrial system that produces our electricity is not very transparent but is also resistant to accepting renewable energy. The “Integrated System Operator” is an umbrella organization that needs to be more responsive. We talk to an advocate about the issue and why it is relevant to the Peabody Peaker Plant.

Seeking Justice in Peabody: The Climate Minute

The proposed peaker plant in Peabody represents an additional environmental burden on a community that has already been the location of damaging infrastructure. We speak with an organizer for Community Action Works about the challenge.