761.7K
Downloads
983
Episodes
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
Trump fiddles while California burns: The Climate Minute Podcast
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.
Thursday Jul 05, 2018
Scott P resigns. Meet the new boss! The Climate Minute Podcast
Thursday Jul 05, 2018
Thursday Jul 05, 2018
Today’s breaking news is that Scott Pruitt has finally resigned. His venality may be gone but what comes next? Listen in for insight and perspective.
Tuesday Jul 03, 2018
Big Oil’s astro-turf climate plan: The Climate Minute Podcast
Tuesday Jul 03, 2018
Tuesday Jul 03, 2018
The (ahem) “Americans for Carbon Dividends” PAC has proposed a carbon fee and dividend plan, sponsored by Trent Lot of Mississippi and John Breaux of Louisiana. Lots of big-wig conservative types are smiling on the idea. Should climate hawks rejoice? Not yet! The poison bill is to prevent EPA from regulating CO2, and absolve Exxon from lawsuits. Listen in.
Thursday Jun 28, 2018
After Kennedy, what to do next? The Climate Minute Podcast
Thursday Jun 28, 2018
Thursday Jun 28, 2018
The retirement of Anthony Kennedy is bad news for climate hawks (along with lots of others.) That bad news comes together with cruelty on our borders, against both children and Muslims. How should we interpret these events and formulate a path forward? Listen in.
Sunday Jun 10, 2018
Joe Stalin visits the DOE, orders Chick-fil-a : The Climate Minute Podcast
Sunday Jun 10, 2018
Sunday Jun 10, 2018
The DOE, staying faithful to Trumpian absurdity, has floated a proposal to force utilities to purchase the electricity produced by coal and nuclear plants. The anti-free-market nature of such a move is obvious. Coupled with its corrupt benefits to a limited number of politically connected corporations, it is an assault on our democracy. Somewhere, Joe Stalin is raising a glass of vodka.
Sunday Apr 08, 2018
Scott Pruitt IS the swamp: The Climate Minute Podcast
Sunday Apr 08, 2018
Sunday Apr 08, 2018
President Trump talked about “draining the swamp” as a major part of his campaign platform and yet he put in an EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, who appears to be the definition of “the swamp” that Trump promised to evacuate. We highlight some of Pruitt’s worst offenses including scrapping the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, instructing EPA staff to boldly deny the dangers of anthropogenic climate change, removing decision-making power from regional EPA directors, and accepting illegal gifts – in the form of cheap rent – from a fossil fuel energy lobbyist. Take some deep breaths before you dive in on this one – it may make you see red!
Sunday Feb 25, 2018
Gun violence, the CDC and Climate Denial: The Climate Minute Podcast
Sunday Feb 25, 2018
Sunday Feb 25, 2018
Today, we connect the dots between the horrific gun violence in Parkland, Florida, and climate action. Notably, science should lead policy decisions, not the other way around. We visit Pruitt’s exploits as a “first-class fool,” as well as sketchy dealings in the Department of Interior. Listen for our “easter egg” about Maxwell Smart and the “cone of silence.” Don’t miss the Local Environmental Action conference at Northeastern University, March 3rd. Ted and Mariah will be there with a booth and would be thrilled to speak with our listeners. More information on the Massachusetts Climate Action Network’s Event page
Sunday Nov 19, 2017
Sunday Nov 19, 2017
This week, we discuss two significant sleeper issues that will influence climate policy for a long time to come, and a few local initiatives for Massachusetts residents. Charlie Pierce highlighted the first understated, but very important, issue in a report for Esquire. A right-wing movement is pushing state legislatures to approve the idea of holding a new constitutional convention to rewrite the constitution. The convention would be open and would focus on the balanced budget amendment. Twenty-eight states have signed on to this campaign; thirty-four are needed to pass an amendment to the constitution. There is a possibility that if the movement can gain those last six states, it could create stringent regulations that limit the government’s ability to act on climate change.
Another issue of concern is that Mitch McConnell is intent on loading the federal bench with right-wing conservatives who are light on experience but heavy on ideology. These are very young lawyers who will be in these lifetime appointments for decades. Having a federal bench replete with judges that are subservient to right-wing philosophies will make it very difficult for environmental laws to succeed.
Massachusetts listeners, please be on high alert and make calls to your state representative about the following critical local issues. There is a bill before the MA legislature that would eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to assist cities and towns in making regulations to protect air and water quality. Additionally, the Baker Administration released a statement indicating that he feels no political risk by opposing a carbon tax. MA climate hawks can help the movement away from fossil fuels by reminding him that natural and fracked gas should not be part of our energy portfolio.
Thursday Oct 26, 2017
Activism is the rent we pay to live on the planet: The Climate Minute
Thursday Oct 26, 2017
Thursday Oct 26, 2017
How should we react to the present and future devastation of climate change, and our President’s abject failure to act? What should we do to maintain our spirit and drive? While we mangle a few quotes on the way, it seems Alice Walker sums it up saying “Activism is the rent I pay to live on the planet.” There are no easy answers, but we discuss. What do you think?
Thursday Oct 12, 2017
Pruitt’s Dirty Power Plans: The Climate Minute Podcast
Thursday Oct 12, 2017
Thursday Oct 12, 2017
The malevolent administrator of the EPA announced his intent to replace the Obama-era Clean Power Plan with a different plan that he will dream up at a later date. Listen in as we discuss.