The Climate Minute

Roy lays out the Roadmap: The Climate Minute

The Next Generation Roadmap for has been signed by the Governor and is truly a law of MA. We speak with Rep. Jeff Roy  on the content and implications of the this new future.

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.  

Let’s #CleanThePeak in Peabody : The Climate Minute

A new methane-gas-powered electricity generating plant in Peabody is neither needed nor consistent with Massachusetts’ legal requirement to reduce carbon pollution and provide environmental justice. We have an opportunity for Municipal Light Plants to lead the way to a clean grid, using renewable ‘peaker plant’ techniques.  Listen in as we discuss the background of the #PeabodyPeaker and how you can help stop the construction of this mistake.

Knowing who you are up against: The Climate Minute

Who has the most influence on the creation of climate legislation in MA? Competing interests vie for leverage through the lobbying process. Researchers at Brown University analyzed hard data on who does the lobbying and how it is done on Beacon Hill. The Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill is now law, but there is a lot more climate legislation in the pipeline. It is important for climate activists to know 'who you are up against' and how to beat them. 

Weymouth gets an air quality monitor: The Climate Minute

Years ago, activists demanded that the state of MA install an air quality monitor system in Weymouth. Thanks to their persistence, it has finally happened. Listen in to hear details from one of those activists.

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.