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The Climate Minute examines current news on global warming, climate change, renewable energy and the prospects for progress on international negotiations, carbon taxes and clean energy policy.
Episodes
Sunday Aug 12, 2018
Sunday Aug 12, 2018
California is literally burning up – is this the new normal? We hope not. The good news is that the mainstream media seems, finally, to give credit to climate change as a force to be reckoned with. The Trump Administration’s collusion, delusion, and confusion may interfere with California’s auto standards, but if states can stand strong, there is still hope for our competitiveness in the global landscape. Looking for a simple everyday action that you can do? Connect with Shave The Peak campaign to learn when your actions will keep the state of MA from using dirty fossil fuel energy. Tune in for details.
Wednesday Aug 08, 2018
Wednesday Aug 08, 2018
The NYT Magazine published “Losing Earth,” an article telling the story of climate activism from 1979 to 1989. We discuss the content, conclusions and impact. Did we fail due to human nature? What does that mean for us in 2018?
Sunday Aug 05, 2018
Sunday Aug 05, 2018
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes was at the center of a twitter debate over media coverage of climate change. Listen in as we discuss.
Thursday Aug 02, 2018
Thursday Aug 02, 2018
So the MA Legislature took a swing and missed. No, they fumbled a great chance. No, they dropped the ball. No, they struck out. No, they choked. No, they “could’a been contenders.”
OK, sports metaphors don’t work for everyone.
The MA Legislature, like Frodo at the Crack of Doom, looked into the abyss of demands from the fossil industry and lost heart. Unfortunately, Gollum was not there to bite the ring off.
OK, LOTR references are too opaque.
The MA Legislature had the chance to make our state the nation’s leader in clean energy policy, and they failed. It is as simple as that. Constrained by a rigid hierarchy of power in the House and beholden to powerful corporate energy interests, our elected officials ignored visionary policies passed by the Senate and produced a milquetoast, uninspired energy bill that only a utility could love.
As climate hawks, we will take the 2% RPS in this bill but focus on electing true clean energy advocates. And, by the way, we will return to the next legislative session with renewed commitment.
As they used to say about the Red Sox, “Wait ‘til next year!”
Monday Jul 30, 2018
Monday Jul 30, 2018
From the Arctic heat wave to political hypocrisy, we discuss the climate news of the week.
Wednesday Jul 25, 2018
Wednesday Jul 25, 2018
What is the RPS? Why should you care? Listen in as we talk with Eugenia Gibbons (of the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance) about changes to the renewable portfolio standards being considered by the Massachusetts Legislature.
Sunday Jul 22, 2018
Sunday Jul 22, 2018
Russia is known for its chess grandmasters, but in Helsinki on July 16th, Trump and Putin, possibly motivated by oil interests, may have handed a checkmate to the rest of the world. This week, follow us through a chain of news analysis that illustrates America’s obsession with fossil fuels and why it promises to lead only to stranded and ---literally---sunken assets.
Wednesday Jul 18, 2018
Wednesday Jul 18, 2018
We discuss the status of clean energy legislation on Beacon Hill. Listen in!
Sunday Jul 15, 2018
Sunday Jul 15, 2018
We continue our chat with Senator Pacheco on the Clean Energy Future bill, and how he became a climate activist. Listen in!
Thursday Jul 12, 2018
Thursday Jul 12, 2018
Massachusetts State Senator Marc Pacheco is the sponsor of the Clean Energy Future bill that recently passed the Senate. He joined the Climate Minute to discuss some key aspects of the bill. The Senator pointed out that the economic and health benefits of building a renewable future come at no risk, since studies show there would be no rise in electricity rates. This is based on a study by the Applied Economics Clinic. Listen in as we discuss battery storage, solar rates and other aspects of the bill. Remember: Call your State Representative soon (like NOW!) at 617-722-2000 and urge them to support the related bills in the House.