The Climate Minute

A Recognizable Feature of Hope: The Climate Minute Podcast

Near the bottom of the landing page for the Massachusetts Power Forward there is a quote from Grace Paley: “The only recognizable feature of hope is action.” That is a great turn of phrase, and the Clean Power Vision puts the idea in to action:
Massachusetts has emerged as a national leader on energy, making substantial progress in transitioning away from polluting sources of power to renewable energy and energy efficiency. But now our state is poised to invest billions of dollars to replace retiring power plants with long-lived infrastructure that will shape our future. We must ensure that our state adopts an energy policy that supports local renewable energy resources, keeps energy dollars in our communities, creates good green jobs and protects our Commonwealth from climate change and life-threatening pollution. We call on our Governor and legislature to power forward with energy solutions that are accountable to our communities, our environment and our future.

Check out live  links at our blog, http://www.massclimateaction.net/blog.
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

No more gas pipelines in Massachusetts! - The Climate Minute Podcast

Across the country, the fossil fuel industry is trying to build dangerous and unnecessary pipelines. Massachusetts is no exception- there are TWO pipelines proposed for the state.  These provide a good case study of industry methods and how to oppose them, even if you do not live  in  the Massachusetts. The proponents of the new pipelines claim to be working to provide sufficient gas for the local economy to grow.  But, like Dorothy in Oz, if you peek behind the curtain it becomes clear the industry wants to export the gas away from Massachusetts! That is just one worry- here are six more reasons to oppose these pipelines.

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

New England’s Cap and Trade program pays off-The Climate Minute Podcast

What happens when you put a price on carbon? The sky does not fall, and the economy gets better! We discuss.
The reading list:
•    RGGI is a net economic benefit!
•    Boston Globe on the benefit of RGGI
•    Will new Iranian oil drive prices down further? Is it a good time for carbon pricing?
•    Weather Channel says Boston will be impacted by global warming.
•    Boston to Spectra:"You're leaking!"
•    Boston Globe's report on the Arctic
Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com
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

Hydro-Quebec vs Clean Local Power - The Climate Minute Podcast

Suppose you’re a new Governor, with a legal requirement to provide clean power. How do you do it? Do you bet on the potential of your state to develop the clean energy future or do you look to immediate cheap power? We discuss, because Massachusetts may be the first, but will not be the last, to have this conversation.
The reading list:
•    Gov. Baker's proposal on Hydro-Quebec to provide clean energy for the GWSA targets
•    West Roxbury Pipeline?
Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com
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

A Tale of Two Governors-The Climate Minute Podcast

From the clean energy perspective, it was the best of times in California and a not so good time in New England. The New England Governors all met in Hartford to discuss New England’s energy future, which turns out to look a lot like New England’s energy present. Massachusetts’ Governor Baker seemed to settle on an “all options” approach (i.e. more gas pipelines and let the ratepayer foot the bill), which is a disappointment to those who recognize the need for clean energy. In contrast, out in California Governor Brown has set strong goals to force renewable energy development by 2030. Which Governor’s leadership will pass the judgment of history? We discuss.
The reading list:
•    Baker supports 'expanded pipelines"?
•    NE Guvs to 'boost gas capacity"
•    Dangers of Baker's regulatory review
•    California's Governor Brown sets aggressive goals
•    Cali even better than the Feds?

Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/a-tale-of-two-governors-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

Carol Oldham on the Local Environmental Conference: The Climate Hawk's Companion Podcast

In this episode, we talk to Carol Oldham, the Executive Director of MCAN, about the upcoming  Local Environmental Action Conference. She tells us about some of the interesting workshops planned for the day and who the keynote speaker will be.  Whether you are new to the fight or a seasoned Climate Hawk, you will find this conference interesting and informative. Best of all the conference is a great opportunity to meet other good people working to stop climate change.

Northeastern is accessible by subway via the Green Line (the Northeastern stop on the E line) or the Orange Line (Ruggles Station stop). Commuter rail lines connect with the Orange Line at Back Bay Station, Ruggles Station, and North Station. You can find detailed directions here.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Local Environmental Action Conference. Sunday, March 15, 2015, 9am-6pm, at Northeastern University's Curry Student Center.
Local Environmental Action 2015 is a great opportunity to join community leaders, environmental advocates and activists from across New England for an exciting day of skills training, networking, and inspiration. Whether you have been to every conference or are attending for the first time, be sure not to miss this amazing opportunity to connect and grow our grassroots movement.

Check out live  links at our blog,https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/carol-oldham-on-the-local-environmental-action-conference-the-climate-hawks-companion-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

Should you pay for the Governor's new pipeline? The Climate Minute Podcast

Between the veto of the KXL bill and efforts to make people pay for pipelines (instead of solar panels or wind turbines) there is a lot to discuss.
This past week, the President vetoed the KXL bill, but don’t worry- its not dead. As oil trains proliferate, we could see ten explosions per year. Over in Europe, they have big energy plans. Here in Boston, the new Governor is considering asking electrical ratepayers to foot the bill for a new gas pipeline. Really? What about paying for clean energy?
Don’t forget to sign up for the Local Environmental Action Conference. Sunday, March 15, 2015, 9am-6pm, at Northeastern University's Curry Student Center.
Local Environmental Action 2015 is a great opportunity to join community leaders, environmental advocates and activists from across New England for an exciting day of skills training, networking, and inspiration. Whether you have been to every conference or are attending for the first time, be sure not to miss this amazing opportunity to connect and grow our grassroots movement.

Check out live  links at our blog,https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/should-you-pay-for-the-governors-new-pipeline-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

Snow, thundersnow, trains and earthquakes-The Climate Minute Podcast

Our heavy snows are entirely consistent with global warming and its effect on the jet stream. Jim Cantore  got all worked up about  “ thundersnow “ falling in Plymouth MA. But, is thundersnow a new thing? Cable networks favorite ‘climate guy’ Bill Nye asks the media and us all to talk about climate.

The big train accident in West Virginia was analyzed by Hayes and Maddow.
There are earthquakes in Oklahoma, but does this City Manager suffer from
Stockholm Syndrome? Over at the BradBlog they discuss the train and the RCMP's surveillance of KXL activists.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Local Environmental Action Conference. Sunday, March 15, 2015, 9am-6pm, at Northeastern University's Curry Student Center.
Local Environmental Action 2015 is a great opportunity to join community leaders, environmental advocates and activists from across New England for an exciting day of skills training, networking, and inspiration. Whether you have been to every conference or are attending for the first time, be sure not to miss this amazing opportunity to connect and grow our grassroots movement.

Check out live  links at our blog, https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/snow-thundersnow-trains-and-earthquakes-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

Pipelines explode, Cable News doesn’t- The Climate Minute Podcast

We discuss media treatment of recent pipeline explosions, the Koch’s explosion of campaign money, and the curious story of  Willie Soon.

Here are some links:
http://mediamatters.org/research/2015/01/28/study-how-broadcast-networks-covered-climate-ch/202232

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/27/3615930/koch-brothers-climate-delay-889-million-2016-election/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2015/01/26/harvard-smithsonian-climate-change-skeptic-accused-violating-academic-disclosure-agreement/Y1uMQ8yuLpYCjOHGckRArO/story.html


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

Gas pains in Massachusetts- The Climate Minute Podcast

Do you want to talk to someone from Kinder-Morgan? They will be holding
open house and scoping meetings in towns along the route,

The town of Wilmington rejects the pipeline.
A couple of  heavyweights opine that  Governor Baker should focus on wind.
It turns out that gas pipelines in Boston are really, really leaky! But a company wants to put yet another one in West Roxbury near a quarry. What could go wrong? Go to the rally on Sunday.

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