The Climate Minute

Every tenth of a degree matters

The Summer of 2023 seems to be a  moment where seemingly far future predictions of  climate catastrophe are all suddenly around us in real time. From heat domes to a melted Antarctic, we are in the midst of a climate changed world. It can be demoralizing. What to do and think? Each of us needs to find our own special super-power to act in community with others to build a better world. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

Smaller but happier lives

The concept of economic growth is central to our politics, and the GDP is an iconic measure. But to ensure a livable planet, we need to respect limits to growth. One path is to live more moderately. It is an interesting idea about how to save the future. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

A new chapter in ISO transparency

A recent public meeting marked a new chapter in ISO’s transparency. The Citizens Liaison Group, a committee of ISO-NE held an event near the contested Peaker Plant in Peabody. Some of the issues under discussion were the possible use of ‘storage batteries’ to provide clean electricity instead of by a fossil fuel plant. Another was ISO’s failure to recognize citizens groups seeking to input views on ISO’s plans. Listen in to hear from some of the attendees. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

Climate Lessons from Roller Skating

MCAN’s new board member talks to us about her work, how she ended up in the climate movement and lessons she learned on the way. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

Embodied Carbon, explained

Your home emits CO2 when you use gas to heat it. That’s called operational carbon emissions. Did you know that lots of CO2 was emitted just making the stuff in your walls?  Embodied carbon is the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building and infrastructure materials. We talk to MCAN’s Better Buildings Campaign Director to find out how we can reduce the embodied carbon in our buildings. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

The Forward Clean Energy Market, explained

How can we make it easier for the grid to transition to clean energy?  The Forward Clean Energy Market can help. Listen in to MCAN’s expert explain this new idea. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

Renewable Energy Certificates explained

If you want to understand the transition to clean energy, you need to understand Renewable Energy Certificates. We talk to MCAN’s Clean Energy Director to find out more about what a REC is, and why they matter. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

Do we want more electric cars or more bison?

We can make a plant go extinct in order to have EVs, or we could allow bison herds to capture CO2 from the air by rethinking our economics. The future is ours to choose. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

“Green Growth” vs “De-growth”

In a warming world, our futures will be determined by our decisions in the present. However, two starkly different visions- one of a sacrifice free continuation of the present using renewable energy and a second of a radically downsized and more humane economy- might guide our thinking. Which way should we go?   We discuss “Green tilted glasses” from truthdig.  Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.

A new idea to pull CO2 out of the air

Humans may need to go beyond reducing carbon emissions to actually removing CO2 from the atmosphere. “Carbon dioxide removal” is the buzzword.  We talk to a someone with a new idea about how to approach this gargantuan task. Check our showpage at massclimateactiondotorg/blog for the hot links.