The Climate Minute

Can a seawall protect Beantown? The Climate Minute Podcast

The concept of a massive seawall to protect Boston Harbor is less cost effective than local adaptations, says a new report. Mayor Walsh plans a climate conference, but must answer questions on urban pipelines and procrastination on implementing Community Choice Energy. Listen in!

We all live in Flint-The Climate Minute Podcast

Scott Pruitt’s EPA withheld a report about poisonous chemicals in drinking water, and then barred CNN and AP reporters from a meeting about it. Plus the “jerks at FERC” want to ignore the greenhouse gases from pipeline content, Exxon wants permission to cook it’s books on monitoring methane leaks, and Gina takes a potshot at Bill, or did she? The answers to your worries? Vote in November.

A wind-wind situation-The Climate Minute Podcast

Massachusetts leads the way again in choosing Vineyard Wind to build an 800MW off shore wind farm. That, coupled with choices are Brayton Point, electric buses and the great energy proposal (the Pacheco Bill) make for a wind-wind situation. Listen in.

Actors in New Orleans and poison in the water-The Climate Minute Podcast

Two examples of deception this week: Entergy paid actors to testify in favor of a power plant in New Orleans and the White House is hiding a ‘nightmare’ report on water quality. And, by the way, Jupiter is changing our weather…very slowly. Listen in.

CA Solar- good or bad? The Climate Minute Podcast

We discuss the possible upsides and downsides of the new California solar panel program. How should Climate Hawks prepare for the inevitable unintended consequences of our proposals? (Hint: vote!)

Mayor’s climate conference coming to Boston: The Climate Minute Podcast

NY AG Eric Schneiderman resigns after the New Yorker reveals him as a violent man. He was leading the effort against Exxon. What now? Back at home, Boston will host a mayoral conference on climate in June. Listen in.

CA to put solar on new homes: The Climate Minute Podcast

California will insist on solar panels on new homes. And will sue Pruitt over fuel standards. Pretty cool.

Speaking for the trees: The Climate Minute Podcast

Trees play an important role in the vibrancy of cities. Listen in as we speak with David Meshoulam of “Speak for the Trees Boston” at the Local Environmental Action Conference last March at Northeastern.

Scott the Swamp Monster and New Jersey’s nukes: The Climate Minute Podcast

Scott Pruitt’s tiresome “swamp-monster” routine has moved beyond parody to absurdity, but is nonetheless as a continuing insult to Climate Hawks. SAD! A more constructive and substantive discussion is happening around the putative need to support nukes and the more pragmatic need for electric busses. Listen in!

The Necessity of Environmental Justice: The Climate Minute Podcast

Systemic racism expresses itself both before the law and in environmental injustice. Progress comes when Climate Hawks speak out about the issue. For example, the Flint water supply was damaged four years ago this week. Activist Siwatu-Salama Ra‘s imprisonment is a case of a combination of injustices. The good news is that a Minnesota judge has allowed the necessity defense in a jury case. This will allow the introduction of climate science into a court hearing—an important precedent for future legal cases. Listen in.