The Climate Minute

Are Climate Reparations a moral responsibility? The Climate Minute

The Global North has caused climate change. What does it owe the Global South?

What’s the Score? MCAN‘s new report

Municipal Light Plants  (or MLPs) are local utilities in individual towns in Massachusetts.  These utilities are responsive to the democratic process- the ‘light board’ is often an elected position. The MLPs are also on a journey to decarbonization. MCAN has published a report assessing the efforts, successes and opportunities for these MLPs. We discuss the report with the authors.

The Future of Clean Home Heating: The Climate Minute

Massachusetts needs to decarbonize all homes in the state. We discuss the specifics of  “The Future of Heat” bill currently before the legislature. (These are Senate bill S.2148 and House bill H3298.) The bill provides a path where everyone, from home owners, renters to the utilities can move smoothly to a green future.

A vision of clean home heating for everyone: The Climate Minute

Massachusetts faces a challenge in finding climate friendly ways for everyone to heat their homes. We talk to an expert about a concept that meets the scale and urgency of the work.

Repair, don’t replace those gas pipes! The Climate Minute

A well-intentioned plan to fix gas leaks in MA has gone astray. By prioritizing the costly replacement of pipelines over simple repair, the project locks us into decades of carbon emissions. Listen as an expert explains this problem and recommends ‘triage and transition’ as the path forward.

Decoding your monthly gas bill: The Climate Minute

The big utilities like Eversource get paid a lot to build those gas pipes in the street in front of your house.  Who does the paying? As a ratepayer, you do. Every month your bill carries obscure charges that fund more pipelines. We talk with an expert on how all this money changes hands and why climate activists should understand some details.

Maine‘s vote raises questions for Massachusetts: The Climate Minute

Maine’s recent referendum vote rejecting a clean energy transmission line raises large questions about how Massachusetts will achieve it’s climate goals. 

Has the time come to get rid of Storrow Drive? The Climate Minute

The pandemic, climate change, and mass transit planning all come together to allow new ideas about the future. A recent opinion piece in Commonwealth Magazine proposes that the City of Boston turn Storrow Drive into a clean energy mobility corridor. In many ways, doing so would cut the Gordian Knot of Boston traffic.  We talk to the author, and find out why this is the moment to act.

Plastic causes Environmental Injustices: The Climate Minute

In addition to global warming pollution, the manufacture and disposal of plastic creates environmental injustice.  Frontline communities are devastated by local pollution from the factories, and the export of our garbage to other continents leads to horrific scenes on the coasts of other places. Micro-plastics are ubiquitous and wildlife cannot distinguish plastic from their food. You can lobby your MoC for the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act.

Making plastic from methane releases warming gases: The Climate Minute

As renewables get cheaper, the methane industry is trying to find new markets in  plastic manufacture.  However, that generates lots of greenhouse gases. In fact, the push to make plastic is like adding many new coal plants.  We talk with an expert about a new report called  “Plastic is the new coal.” Listen in!