The Climate Minute

The mysterious case of Wayne’s emails: The Climate Minute Podcast

Through either malice or ignorance, the duly elected President of these proud United States continued his mindlessly destructive assault the environment. By approving the KXL pipeline, he has re-ignited a controversy that will simmer for years. His disappearing Secretary of State was shown to have used (and mysteriously deleted) his private email which used the romantic name “Wayne Tracker.” On the other hand, we see India declare the Ganges a person, and discuss whether “Lord of the Flies” or “Grapes of Wrath” capture the tenor of the times. Listen in.

Scott Pruitt’s betrayal of the EPA, scientific integrity and the future: The Climate Minute Podcast

In a statement that can only be considered an insult to the very concept of truth and scientific integrity, Scott Pruitt, the new leader of the EPA, said the following about carbon dioxide “I think that measuring with precision human activity on the climate is something very challenging to do and there’s tremendous disagreement about the degree of impact, so no, I would not agree that it’s a primary contributor to the global warming that we see,” This denial of the scientific output of the EPA, based on his personal opinion and narrow ideology is an outrage. His extreme views may influence decisions on California’s right to pursue green initiatives.
Scott Pruitt will only be brought to heel by political pressure from Congress, who will themselves only respond to direct communication from their constituents. Check the reading list to find your Member of Congress. A short phone call is all it takes.

Stevie B and T-Rex butt heads over Paris: The Climate Minute Podcast

The Paris Agreement, flawed and fragile as it is, represents the world’s best hope of addressing global warming. While the COTUS (Cheeto of the US) railed against it on the campaign trail, there appears to be an ongoing discussion about whether the US should leave the agreement. It seems “Camp of the Saints Steve Bannon” and “Arctic Rex Tillerson” disagree on the wisdom of this. How much fun would that be to watch? 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

EO gives DAPL a push: The Climate Minute Podcast

One of the new administration’s Executive Orders restarted the process of completing the Dakota Pipeline. Construction resumption is imminent, but lawsuits are underway, as are efforts to defund project through divestment. Employees of the EPA are protesting the nomination of Scott Pruitt.
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 hiatus: The Climate Minute Podcast

Climate action in WA, OR, AK and especially MN keeps the pressure on, while scientist show that the global warming hiatus wasn’t. Listen in for the best ways to showcase your opinions over the next few weeks.

Mr Trump, today you have a witch hunt at 9 and a book burning at 2: The Climate Minute Podcast

As the implications of the Trumpian climate desecration plan become ever more clear, the need to resist his agenda is obvious. From a request for names of climate scientists at DOE to legitimate fears that climate data will be deleted from government computers, we need no new signs of a malevolent intent. “Hamilton Electors” are great to support, but read up on a practical guide to resisting the Turmp agenda . Listen in as we discuss.

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

Ebell to lead the EPA and China to lead the world? The Climate Minute Podcast

As part of the collection of horribles Trump is assembling to staff his regime, Myron Ebell stands out. He is slated to control the EPA and will likely destroy the President Obama’s Clean Power Plan- if not worse. This raises questions of the ethical arguments for and against serving in a Trump administration. On the other hand, one prospect that seems to be rising from the fog of Trumps decision-making is that the clean revolution may not longer be stoppable and that China will assume a global leadership role in fighting climate change. The Donald’s biggest legacy may be to make China great again.

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