The Climate Minute

Why the EPA's Clean Energy Plan will stand up in court- Climate Hawk's Companion

Last summer, the President announced his Clean Power Plan to reduce emissions from coal powered electricity plants. The Plan consists of regulations that are sure to be challenged in court. Dave Roberts at Grist recently posted an explanation of the legal basis for the CPP. We take a moment to discuss the issues with our own legal expert.

Check out live  links at our blog, https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/why-the-epas-clean-energy-plan-will-stand-up-in-court-climate-hawks-companion/

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Parcels here, parcels there- The Climate Minute Podcast

Auctions of leases to find energy sources were in the news this week.
Off the Massachusetts coast, parcels of open ocean were offered but had some
disappointing results . Should the state government  prepare things better for next time?
Just a few days after the State of the Union, the President contradictory decision to
to open large areas off the East Coast to drilling. What’s up with that?

Check out live links at our blog, https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/02/01/parcels-here-parcels-there-the-climate-minute-podcast/

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

The good, the bad and the inspiring- The Climate Minute Podcast

The news this week ranged from good to depressing, from new methane rules (good) to 400pm in the air (depressing.) We try to put it all in perspective.

•    The administration proposes methane emissions regulations.
•    Global CO2 levels are over 400ppm.
•    US India climate talks are proceeding.
•    Worcester will try time-based electical rates.
•    Gov. Baker appoints an energy team. But is it a team of rivals? It has a gas-tax advocate (see here) and the Senate wants to work on the climate issues (see here .)
•    Should we build and then tear down an Olympic Stadium?
•    A report on future gas demand was released at the very end of the Patrick Administration. But the origin and use of  fracking sand is very informative.
•    Bernie Sanders proposed an amendment to the KXL approval bill.
•    The move Selma should give Climate Hawks something to think about.  A couple of years ago, joe Romm posted a blog think about Martin Luther King and climate activism.

See the links at https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/01/16/the-good-the-bad-and-the-inspiring-the-climate-minute-podcast/

Check out more  links at our blog, http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com or our Facebook page facbook.com/massclimateaction.

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Five issues that will shape the news of 2015- The Climate Minute Podcast

What are the underlying issues that will drive climate progress in 2015? We discuss a Congress that denies global warming, low oil prices, the Trans-Pacific partnership, upcoming negotiations in Paris, and the impact of the Pope’s views on global warming.

First, we note that Cape Wind is in jeopardy. There seems to be enough momentum behind the wind industry the progress in other areas is likely.

Congress is targeting the Keystone pipeline. Read  Dave Roberts who says about the whole controversy that “This is the first time since cap-and-trade that the movement defined a clear fight specifically about climate. They picked something Obama could block and then set out making the case that he should block it. It was something that could could have passed without a blink from anyone, and they charged it with meaning. They marched, protested, organized, wrote, and marched some more. They got big money to enter political races behind the issue. They got key allies to speak out against it. They’ve managed to delay and delay it. They even got Obama to say that he’ll reject it if it has any impact on greenhouse gases. (Imagine that standard applied to all future infrastructure projects!)”

It seems the President will veto the bill, but this is just the beginning of a long fight.  Bill McKibben said  “This is a tribute to the millions of people who have made this one of the center pieces of a fast growing climate movement. So far their desire to protect the land and climate have been a match for the fountains of dirty money that constitute the oil industry’s only real argument.”  If you want to find your rep’s phone number, click here, for your Senator, click here.

Robert Reich says this about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Even better for global companies, the tribunal can order compensation for any lost profits found to result from a nation's regulations. Philip Morris is using a similar provision against Uruguay (the provision appears in a bilateral trade treaty between Uruguay and Switzerland), claiming that Uruguay's strong anti-smoking regulations unfairly diminish the company's profits.

What does the acronym INDC mean? “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions.” Say that three times fast! It is a statement of how much carbon each country will promise to cut in the preparation for negotiations in Paris at COP21 next December.

Pope Francis is said to be preparing an important statement on climate next year, but will likely anger some conservatives.

See the links at https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/five-issues-that-will-shape-the-news-of-2015-the-climate-minute-podcast/

Check out more  links at our blog, http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com or our Facebook page facbook.com/massclimateaction.

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Fix Society, Please -The Climate Notes Podcast

A lesson for climate hawks in an Ohio tragedy.

http://huff.to/1xfO6n3

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/12/31/transgender-teen-who-died-of-an-apparent-suicide-fix-society-please/

To frack, or not to frack?- The Climate Minute Podcast

Things wrapped up in Lima at COP20 with an agreement that is either good or inadequate. However, Greenpeace apparently went too far and desecrated a famous archeological site in the Andes. This raises questions about the ‘cultural cluelessness’ of some activists. Take for example the on going discussion about the Black Lives movement, environmental  justice and Climate Hawks.

There was lots of activity on the energy-in-politics front, see
•    NY Guv Cuomo’s decision to ban fracking – did it all start in Dryden?
•    Senator McConnell’s plan to vote on KXL (and the 350.org response. )
•    Lobsterboat DA's mayoral win
•    A new carbon  proposal in the state of Washington
•    The President’s declaration on Bristol Bay
•    The collapse of the Russian ruble in part from low oil prices.  

Lots to think about, but remember, this is the  Winter Solstice , and longer days are coming.

See the links at http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/to-frack-or-not-to-frack-the-climate-minute-podcast/

Check out more  links at our blog, http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com or our Facebook page facbook.com/massclimateaction.

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Pump It Up! -The Climate Notes Podcast

Berkeley, California moves to place climate-change warning labels at gas stations—and some people aren’t too happy about it.

See also:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Berkeley-City-Council-Votes-to-Move-Forward-With-Global-Warming-Alert-Caution-Labels-at-Gas-Pumps-283231261.html
 
http://www.sltrib.com/home/1846777-155/gas-labels-berkeley-climate-consumers-oks
 
http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/news/international-news/125248-city-orders-petrol-pumps-to-carry-climate-change-warnings.html
 
http://www.newsadvance.com/news/national/wire/city-oks-plan-for-gas-pump-climate-change-labels/article_8197c648-e26b-57ed-8e22-f66db9afe79e.html

Dialing down denial-The Climate Notes Podcast

A former Clear Channel radio executive says right-wing talk radio is on the downfall. This is very good news for climate hawks.

See the links at http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/breakthrough-in-china-the-climate-minute-podcast/

Check out more  links at our blog, http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/dialing-down-denial-the-climate-notes-podcast/

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Severe, Widespread, and Irreversible: The Climate Minute Podcast

In a big news week, we focus on the latest IPCC report and the outcome of last Tuesday's elections.

The executive summary of the IPCC Synthesis Report:
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_SPM.pdf

Some Commentary on the report
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/11/10-things-you-need-know-new-ipcc-climate-report

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/04/3587527/ipcc-irreversible-impacts/

WIll the new Massachusetts Governor take action on climate? Maybe.
http://theconversation.com/republican-charlie-bakers-win-in-liberal-massachusetts-offers-path-forward-on-climate-change-33779

Perhaps there is less hope in the US Senate.
http://grist.org/politics/the-new-gop-senate-is-already-gearing-up-to-cause-climate-mayhem/

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.
Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre

Bottled up outrage? The Climate Minute Podcast

We discuss the expanded bottle bill (Yes On 2) and NPR's decision to cut back on climate coverage.

Find the details here:
http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/bottled-up-outrage-the-climate-minute-podcast/

Check out the links at our blog, http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com or our Facebook page facbook.com/massclimateaction.

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.
…Ted McIntyre