The Climate Minute

Perfecting the Union: The Climate Minute

Climate and racial justice are highly related.  We speak with a member of the Massachusetts legislature about efforts to make policing more fair and equitable.

The natural gas industry wants to keep you locked in! The Climate Minute

We must electrify our homes in order to address climate change. For example, we should move away from using natural gas to heat our homes. There are barriers to this move, often from a lack of knowledge or financial support. However, many local communities want to ban the use of gas in new construction.  It is not a surprise that companies like Eversource are actively lobbying for state laws to prevent this! Listen in to find out more!

An update on the Peabody Peaker: The Climate Minute

The legal process for a proposed gas fired peaker plant in Peabody has been paused for 30 days. This is a surprising- and good-development.  MCAN and its allies have been instrumental in this success. Listen in to hear MCAN’s Executive Director lay out the state of play and tell us what comes next. Spoiler alert: we must keep pushing! 

Floors, Ceilings and Net Zero Building Codes: The Climate Minute

MA has the opportunity to construct buildings that meet the climate challenge. Hear the Executive Director of MCAN explain why a Net Zero Building Code is critical.

A sea change in financial markets: The Climate Minute

The Biden Administration’s climate efforts include improved regulation of financial markets. We talks to an expert from Ceres to understand how global warming represents a risk both to corporations and the entire system of finance. 

The Peabody Peaker comes before the DPU: The Climate Minute

The Peabody Peaker Plant came before the MA Department of  Public Utilities, in a bid to get a financing go-ahead. We get an update on the state of play from MCAN’s Executive Director.

What is a Peaker Plant? The Climate Minute

A peaker power plant makes electricity only when demand is high. Listen in for a simple discussion of how utilities balance supply and demand, and why climate hawks should care.

Why investors should ask about climate risks: The Climate Minute

Some banks want to make 30 year investments without considering climate change. We talk with an expert about the risks that banks and investors take if they do not have full disclosure of the implication of climate change on an investment. Those risks are so large, they threaten the entire financial system.

My Electric Vehicle is the Green Line: The Climate Minute

Public transportation in MA is at a watershed moment, both reeling from pandemic ridership drops and facing a carbon constrained future. We talk with an expert about the present and future of the MBTA and transit in the whole region.

The anatomy of climate delay on Beacon Hill: The Climate Minute

A recent report from Brown University’s Climate and Development Lab studied the legislative lobbying process on Beacon Hill in Boston. The passage of the Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill is a success, but the opposition will still work to slow the additional legislation MA needs.  The researchers provide key findings that are important for every climate activist to know.