The Climate Minute

Putting the torch to Tennessee and the truth: The Climate Minute Podcast

The recent historic fires in Tennessee are climate related. Why are Tennesseans still represented by deniers? Plus, our new boy-king’s assault on the truth is a strategy, not the random incoherencies of a damaged psyche. Listen in.

Water Protectors Prevail, and Prepare: The Climate Minute Podcast

As the clock ticked toward zero, the Obama administration denied a corporate request for an easement to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline. This has effectively stopped the billion dollar project, and given a huge boost to the Native American “Water Protectors.” What happens next? What will the coming Trumpian mis-administration do? We discuss.

DAPL, West Rox and the power of unearned suffering: The Climate Minute Podcast

The next four years will call for all of us to stand up for what we believe. The shape of our future can be seen in the bravery of the Standing Rock Sioux, the “Drive for 15” movement, and the opposition to the West Roxbury pipeline. Bill McKibben gives an overview, saying “Volunteering for pain is an unlikely event in a pleasure-based society, and hence it gets noticed. Nonviolent direct action is just one tool in the activist tool kit, and it should be used sparingly—like any tool, it can easily get dull, both literally and figuratively. But when it is necessary to underline the moral urgency of a case, the willingness to go to jail can be very powerful, precisely because it goes against the bent of normal life.” Listen in!
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

Don’t agonize, organize! The Climate Minute Podcast

We discuss the unfolding ugliness of a Trump Presidency, and how Climate Hawks should act in the face of denial and hate. The short answer, don’t accept our new politics as ‘normal’, fight like crazy on climate issues and be sure to make alliances with other progressive groups. Listen in

You are the climate movement: The Climate Minute Podcast

The unfortunate choice of a climate denier to be our next president will force the climate movement into alternate paths. In some ways, this is good, since local action to increase green energy will drive state level programs as well. Carol Oldham, the Executive Director of MCAN, put it this way:
The great news is that we have groups like MCAN and our partners working here in MA to make sure we stay on track.... and there are groups like MCAN in every state across this nation. Grassroots, effective, informed, and not giving up. We are all focused on making sure we don't lose what we have gained so far, and there are countless activists across America who, like you, are committed to continue our forward movement as a nation in the fight against climate change (and many other fights, too). State and local action will be the proving ground, now more than ever. So I commit to continuing to move us forward on solutions to climate change, and I hope you do too. To sign up to volunteer with us, go here and click on "volunteer". You can take action, you can help, and you can make your community and the world a better place.
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

Resolve, Resilience and Resistance: The Climate Minute Podcast

Donald’s recent election to the presidency is a blow to climate progress. What is to be done? Just remember, we are right, we are powerful and we are not going anywhere.

CT pulls out, but ND goes all in: The Climate Minute Podcast

Climate news this week contained progress and tension.  Grassroots opposition has slowed pipeline progress in MA, RI and NH, so CT decided to pull out of the whole concept. On the other hand, in North Dakota the confrontation keeps spiraling, it seems due to a militarized response from the police. Listen in as we discuss.

Can oil intimidate journalism? The Climate Minute Podcast

The Dakota pipeline confrontation is turning increasingly harsh. Journalist Amy Goodman was charged with rioting (but then released), Native Americans and Hollywood actresses were strip-searched and a movie maker was charged with 45 years worth of offenses. Does this mean ‘big oil’ is feeling the heat of grass roots protest? Let’s hope so! Listen in.

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

Waters poisoned in Carolina, at risk in Dakota: The Climate Minute Podcast

The fight over the Dakota Access Pipeline goes on, with court rulings, the arrest of journalists and a ‘truck attack’ on protestors. The flood waters from Hurricane Matthew are now poisoned with animal waste and perhaps coal ash. The good news is that the airline industry has taken the first baby steps toward controlling emissions. We discuss it all!
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

McKibben checks his math and yes, 942 is still greater than 353: The Climate Minute Podcast

The planet passed a woeful milestone this month. The annual minimum of CO2 in the air occurs in September at the end of the Northern Hemisphere’s summer-is greater than 400ppm. Given the long lifetime of CO2 in the atmosphere, it is unlikely that you or I, or anyone living, will see a planet with less than 400ppm in the remainder of our lives.  At the same time, Bill McKibben notes that humans have already built enough mines and drilled enough wells to pollute the air beyond safe limits. That said, there is NO need to explore for new fossil fuel deposits, or even to exploit the ones the industry knows about. New wells are a waste of money, since we cannot use the oil. (Tell that to your investment advisor!) Listen in as we discuss.

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