The Climate Minute

The Omnibus Energy Bill is making its way through the Massachusetts Legislature. We talk with Carol Oldham, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) about the good and bad of the “still to be defined” bill. Despite the huge win over Kinder Morgan there is still a lot of work to be done.  (Spectra Energy: you’re next.) If you want to call your State Rep, see the link below! 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 Download Enhanced Podcast

Kids these days. All they think about is the future. In Oregon, a Federal judge finally agreed with their concerns.  He allowed a case based on the “Public Trust” Doctrine to go forward. This is not a final win, but a step forward. Here in Massachusetts, we still have a debate on the Omnibus Energy (or should we say Climate) bill. Finally, if the Liberty Tree was a symbol of integrity and faith in the future for the American revolutionaries, wouldn’t Henry David Thoreau’s  famous cabin a Walden Pond make a good symbol for Climate Hawks? Listen in. 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 Download Enhanced Podcast

ClimateX is a proposal to provide a tailored path toward a large selection of on-line higher-ed courses on global warming.  The mentoring is targeted at the specific interests of individual Climate Hawks. This customization is designed to help anyone with an internet connection to learn what they need to know in order to pursue their career and activism goals. Listen is as we explore MOOCs (Massive open online courses) and “Recommenders” with the idea’s creators, Rajesh Kasturirangan and Dave Damm-Luhr. If you like what you hear, sign up to vote for ClimateX in Climate CoLab idea competition.  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 Download Enhanced Podcast

This week continued a pattern of heavy-duty climate related reports, which you don’t have to read because we read the synopses! The White House’s report on the public health risks of climate change is detrimental to your psychological well-being all by itself but lays out the abundant risks of a warming world. This comes on the heels of the recent report on sea level rise and Jim Hansen’s paper suggesting that we are closer to climate “tipping points’ than we thought.  Favorite-son John Kerry lays out the economic opportunities of a clean energy world.  Who will grab the brass ring there? Listen in! 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 Download Enhanced Podcast

While an “Omnibus” energy bill is still in preparation, a solar policy bill has been advanced on its own.  The solar bill is an improvement on the original possibility, but it will require further improvements in the next round. Also, see below the jump for a link to find your state rep’s phone number and a script to ask her to oppose the proposed tariff (AKA tax) for the pipeline. Listen in! 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 Download Enhanced Podcast

This week we learned that sea level rise could be much faster than anyone thought. By the end of this century, the sea could rise by about 6 feet. Imagine standing on your favorite beach, at the exact water’s edge. Then imagine the water over your head- how much farther inland would it go? That is a hint about where we could be in less than 100 years. Of course, if you play the  Climate Smart Boston game, your views will help shape the long term plans of the city. On top of that, we have MA AG Healy investigating Exxon and new EVs to consider. Listen in! 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 Download Enhanced Podcast

Planning a sustainable future for the City of Boston is no game, but for the next few weeks you can play an on-line game that could help to shape the next decades of Boston’s development. Climate Smart Boston is a “public deliberation” game where you gain points suggesting your own (and commenting on other people’s) ideas about making Boston “climate ready.” Then you can spend your points to support one of the ‘causes’ in the game- with real money.  You don’t need to be an expert, just interested. Listen in as we get the details from the Project’s Manager. 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 Download Enhanced Podcast

California’s Porter Ranch methane leak is out of control and may remain so for months. Back here in Massachusetts, the SJC prepares to hear a suit based on the “Public Trust Doctrine.” The ruling could have far reaching consequences. Listen in as we discuss.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 McIntyreDownload Enhanced Podcast

Welcome to 2016.  Climate hawks march into the New Year with recent successes and real opportunities. In order to help you keep track of events, we discuss the trends, topics and issues to follow this year. Happy New Year to all!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 McIntyreDownload Enhanced Podcast

2015 was a big year for Climate Hawks. From the Vatican to Paris, some (potentially) historic events occurred. We review the last twelve months to gain  perspective on where we are and where we are going. Even though we failed to mention the President’s rejection of the Keystone Pipeline (put that under preparations for Paris, and a tribute to grassroots activism), there was a ton of good news to consider. Listen in.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 listeningDownload Enhanced Podcast

This podcast was first posted just after Thanksgiving, but technical issues prevented a broad audience. It  is re-posted here in case you missed it the first time around.Download Enhanced Podcast

The Paris Agreement is open for everyone to evaluate, and the opinions are rolling in. Is it a magic solution, a framework for progress or “too little, too late?”  We focus on the debate between climate activists over the efficacy of the recent deal. Should we demand a more aggressive response, or would that be making ‘the perfect the enemy of the good?’ What do you think? Listen in!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 McIntyreDownload Enhanced Podcast

The historic “Paris Agreement” was made on Saturday December 12, 2015. Climate Hawks everywhere can rejoice at this opportunity to remake the world. Watch the video link below for the reaction in the convention hall, and listen in to the podcast for a discussion of what the final text did (and didn’t) include. 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 McIntyreDownload Enhanced Podcast

Outside the conference hall holding the COP21 delegates, there was a lot going on. We discuss. Oh yeah, Ted Cruz too.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 McIntyreDownload Enhanced Podcast

The Paris treaty negotiations are headed into the final hours at COP21, and there is lots of commentary on the proceedings. We do our best to consider the issues which are before the delegates and that need to be resolved to get to an agreement. Listen in!Download Enhanced Podcast