The Climate Minute

Does climate change need a new story? The Climate Minute Podcast

The newest IPCC report lead us to consider “who” needs to change in order to save the future, and suggests that we need to find new ways to discuss climate.

We all live in the Merrimack Valley: The Climate Minute Podcast

The infrastructure of natural gas pipelines showed it’s danger recently when multiple explosions in three Merrimack Valley communities occurred simultaneously. How should a climate hawk think about this? Is it a chance to ‘electrify everything?’ If you want to help, check out Nathan Phillips gofundme page.

Accountable Capitalism and Climate: The Climate Minute Podcast

Elizabeth Warren has proposed an "Accountable Capitalism Act." Listen in as we discuss this from a Climate Hawk's perspective. Spoiler alert- it is a good idea.

Trump’s Mean Power Plan: The Climate Minute Podcast

The EPA announced a bad carbon emissions plan to replace the good plan proposed years ago by the Obama (sigh) administration. We look to Boston’ s energy aggregation consultant for inspiration, and to Paul Krugman for a connection between Rudy’s ‘truth is not truth’ assertion and climate denial. Listen in.

Should Storrow Drive be an e-road? The Climate Minute Podcast

As Massachusetts advances down the path of a clean energy future, the question of carbon emissions from transportation becomes more and more important. How can we reduce carbon pollution from the everyday process of getting from here to there? Listen in as we discuss ideas from the mundane to electrified roadways.

Ryan Zinke is full of duff: The Climate Minute Podcast

The California fires serve as an illuminating backdrop for absurd comments from Ryan Zinke and legal positioning by corporate CEOs. Listen in.

Trump fiddles while California burns: The Climate Minute Podcast

California is literally burning up – is this the new normal? We hope not. The good news is that the mainstream media seems, finally, to give credit to climate change as a force to be reckoned with. The Trump Administration’s collusion, delusion, and confusion may interfere with California’s auto standards, but if states can stand strong, there is still hope for our competitiveness in the global landscape. Looking for a simple everyday action that you can do? Connect with Shave The Peak campaign to learn when your actions will keep the state of MA from using dirty fossil fuel energy. Tune in for details.

Did the NYTMag just Exxonerate Big Oil? The Climate Minute Podcast

The NYT Magazine published “Losing Earth,” an article telling the story of climate activism from 1979 to 1989. We discuss the content, conclusions and impact. Did we fail due to human nature? What does that mean for us in 2018?

A palpable ratings killer? The Climate Minute Podcast

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes was at the center of a twitter debate over media coverage of climate change. Listen in as we discuss.

MA Legislature misses its chance at greatness: The Climate Minute Podcast

So the MA Legislature took a swing and missed. No, they fumbled a great chance. No, they dropped the ball. No, they struck out. No, they choked. No, they “could’a been contenders.”

OK, sports metaphors don’t work for everyone.

The MA Legislature, like Frodo at the Crack of Doom, looked into the abyss of demands from the fossil industry and lost heart. Unfortunately, Gollum was not there to bite the ring off.

OK, LOTR references are too opaque.

The MA Legislature had the chance to make our state the nation’s leader in clean energy policy, and they failed. It is as simple as that. Constrained by a rigid hierarchy of power in the House and beholden to powerful corporate energy interests, our elected officials ignored visionary policies passed by the Senate and produced a milquetoast, uninspired energy bill that only a utility could love. 

As climate hawks, we will take the 2% RPS in this bill but focus on electing true clean energy advocates. And, by the way, we will return to the next legislative session with renewed commitment.

As they used to say about the Red Sox, “Wait ‘til next year!”