The Climate Minute

Let’s #CleanThePeak in Peabody : The Climate Minute

A new methane-gas-powered electricity generating plant in Peabody is neither needed nor consistent with Massachusetts’ legal requirement to reduce carbon pollution and provide environmental justice. We have an opportunity for Municipal Light Plants to lead the way to a clean grid, using renewable ‘peaker plant’ techniques.  Listen in as we discuss the background of the #PeabodyPeaker and how you can help stop the construction of this mistake.

Knowing who you are up against: The Climate Minute

Who has the most influence on the creation of climate legislation in MA? Competing interests vie for leverage through the lobbying process. Researchers at Brown University analyzed hard data on who does the lobbying and how it is done on Beacon Hill. The Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill is now law, but there is a lot more climate legislation in the pipeline. It is important for climate activists to know 'who you are up against' and how to beat them. 

Weymouth gets an air quality monitor: The Climate Minute

Years ago, activists demanded that the state of MA install an air quality monitor system in Weymouth. Thanks to their persistence, it has finally happened. Listen in to hear details from one of those activists.

The coming battle over building codes: The Climate Minute

Building codes matter for climate work. The future of buildings lies in complete electrification of things now done with gas, like home heating and cooking. “Good insulation” is not enough. Recently special interests like the natural (methane) gas industry have tried to prevent improved building codes that deal with electrification. Listen in for details and say farewell to an MCAN veteran. 

FERC has second thoughts: The Climate Minute

Arcane questions about past decisions hides the reality of a deeper uncertainty at FERC concerning the wisdom of building the Weymouth Compressor. We talk to an expert about what is really happening between FERC, Enbridge and the stalwart activists in the Fore River Basis.

Justice and building codes: The Climate Minute

Massachusetts is close to a landmark climate bill. We talk to two experts about how the provisions of the new bill align with the MCAN vision.

The Globe is not the Planet: The Climate Minute

Covid and Climate represent challenges that “nations” fail to meet. Nations focus on ‘globalization’ of human issues like trade, travel and information while ignoring the physical limits of the planet. We discuss new ways to think about how humanity should organize itself- with the goal of preserving itself! 

The Roadmap as Prologue: The Climate Minute

The Next Generation Roadmap bill advanced in the Massachusetts Senate, and continues to inch forward. If it becomes law, it will serve as a context and reference point to assess other bills and policies. For example, are MBTA service cuts consistent with reducing emissions by 50%?  What shall we do to retrofit the 80% of existing buildings that will still be standing in 2050?  The roadmap bill is not an end, but a beginning.

Cleaning up our energy: The Climate Minute

Massachusetts’ proposed “100% Clean Act” deals with both clean electricity (from wind and solar) and other forms of clean energy in transportation and buildings.  In this episode we talk to an expert about the pragmatic path to 100% clean energy in these sectors.

Cleaning up our electricity: The Climate Minute

Massachusetts’ proposed “100% Clean Act” would eliminate carbon emissions from electricity generation, transportation and buildings.  In this episode we talk to an expert about the pragmatic path to 100% clean electricity by 2035.