The Climate Minute

Perspectives on Carbon Pricing: The Climate Minute Podcast

Carbon pricing is in front of Congress in the form of the “Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.” We catch up Gary Rucinski on the recent lobby day efforts in Washington, and discuss some philosophy with Rick Herron of Sunrise Nashville.

EJ in MA: The Climate Minute Podcast

Massachusetts is moving ahead with new wind power developments. This is great, but a few questions sneak into our discussion. The issue of Environmental Justice continues to take stage in the climate movement. From Weymouth to Springfield to Beacon Hill, we discuss various aspects of this important topic.

Taking actions that cause ripples: The Climate Minute Podcast

American farmers are late-almost too late- to plant corn because of massive flooding in the Midwest. (Spoiler alert: It’s climate change!) What is to be done? The back and forth between personal climate guilt (because you don’t recycle) and corporate guilt (that they don’t feel) is laid out in stark detail by Mary Annaise Heglar . A better way to think about this is to ‘broaden’ your definition of personal action. Seek those personal action that self-amplify, having a ripple effect on other people. Simply talking about climate change is personal action that influences other people. But how? Listen in as we consider that as well.

Heat Pumps, Promethium and the Pilgrim Power Plant: The Climate Minute Podcast

The Pilgrim Station nuclear power plant outside Boston shut down this week. That is good news, but also raises questions about what comes next. Fracking technologies can be put to use in creating clean geothermal energy. Should they? Our mindless trade war with China risks the availability of rare earth metals, which are needed for some renewable energy technologies. Should we fight wars, or recycle what we already have? Listen in as we discuss these difficult, but good questions.

Can Trump muzzle science? The Climate Minute Podcast

Hi all. You may have noticed that we have had a technical glitch posting today's show. Here is another try, with the file intended to be put up earlier today. Sorry for any confusion. The Trump Administration is undermining the credibility of US science by attempting to suppress data and modifying the next “National Climate Assessment” so that the science doesn't seem as dire. It is that equally heartening (NCA provides legal basis to attack Trump's dismantling of climate protections) and maddening (Trump is therefore trying to adjust the next NCA so it loses its teeth and can't be used against bad policy.) In particular, the efforts will 1) Force the USGS to model climate effect only thru 2040, hiding the truly bad effects that come later 2) Eliminate the ‘worst case’ scenario in future reports 3) Resurrect the idea of a White House Panel to review (and distort) the science. All this is in keeping with the latest press release that renames natural gas as ‘freedom gas’ and ‘molecules of freedom.’ After the chuckles die down, we consider the role of branding. Why not call solar panels “Patriot Panels?” Finally, we discuss the upcoming all generation climate strike slated for September 20. This is your opportunity to take action, wherever you are! Listen in.

Talking about talking about climate: The Climate Minute Podcast

Effectively communicating climate change information can be difficult. Listen in as we discuss the options.

A hiccup at the hearing: The Climate Minute Podcast

The MA DEP hearings on the Weymouth compressor permits started on May 15th, but did not end on May 17th as planned. Newly revealed data on toxins in the air at the Fore River raise more questions about the legitimacy of the January 2019 decision to approve the air quality permits.

Getting down to business about the climate: The Climate Minute Podcast

The Climate Action Business Association is a membership-based organization in Massachusetts that helps local businesses take targeted action on climate change. Listen in as we chat with Tim Cronin, the Policy & Partnerships Manager about CABA and the weekly Climate Exchange Policy Roundup newsletter. Top stories this week? First it’s the Baker Administration’s apparent suppression of science communication, and then the ongoing saga of the Weymouth Compressor Station.

Tim Cronin on how local governments can act on climate: The Climate Minute Podcast

The impact of climate change is often seen at the local level, in towns and cities. Whether it is beach erosion on the coast or heat waves in cities, local elected officials are on the scene first. Listen in as we chat with Tim Cronin of the Climate Action Business Association (CABAUS) about the roles and opportunities for local elected officials in fighting climate change.

The sharp point on a long sword: The Climate Minute Podcast

The Weymouth Compressor saga has many heroes. One such hero is Andrea Honore, who has for months conducted a noontime a vigil outside the Governor’s office in the Statehouse, seeking to make the case about why the compressor should not be built. Listen in as she tells the story of how she came to be the point of a long sword.