The Climate Minute

After years in the making, the Obama Administration released the final version of America’s Clean Power Plan. It’s a pretty significant achievement, the first serious effort to control carbon emissions in the US. We discuss the context in which the plan was created, and review some top-level aspects of the plan itself.The reading list:•    The EPA's description of the plan•    Vox explains the plan•    Will we have more RGGI's?•    The Guardian's reportBecause 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

Finally, an off-shore wind project begins construction, the Obama administration releases a climate plan, and the legal concept of a Public Trust gains ground. We discuss.The Reading list:•    RI wind project begins construction!•    The President's plan is about to become real.•    The political implications of the Prez' plan•    Jim Hansen's "Public Peer Review" paper•    ED Schultz, Climate Hawk•    The Public Trust Doctrine makes another step forward.•    RIP Cecil, and the planet?Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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

What do the activists hanging from the bridge in Portland, the ‘ten guys with a Twitter account” opposing the Boston Olympics and the Black Lives movement have in common? They spoke up to force a discussion of important issues. As Frederick Douglass once said “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” Climate Hawks made a demand at this week’s solar rally at the State House. Here in Massachusetts, we need to raise the solar energy limits to ensure a vibrant clean energy market.The reading list.•    Activists dangle from a bridge to block Shell's icebreaker from leaving Portland.•    Boston's Olympic bid is withdrawn. (Note MCAN's Executive Director Carol Oldham is interviewed!)•    Activists challenge the candidates•    Gov. Baker proposes solar legislation on day of activist rally. A coincidence?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 McIntyreCheck out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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 Pope called a meeting to discuss climate and human trafficking.  Mayor Walsh was there.  Is the Francis on to something? Also, a coalition of Climate Hawks calls on Governor Baker to open the process on his push to roll back environmental regulations. They are right- an open process will give better results!•    Mayor Walsh at the Vatican•    Jerry Brown, denial and fracking•    Human trafficking•    The Pope and the polls•    Obama on the Daily Show•    A letter to Gov. Baker from the 562 Coalition•    A Twin for earth??Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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

Due to climate change, we can’t even accurately date the mummies that are melting out of the snow! Who would have thought? We are entering a new world, were we need to be ready for surprises. That strange new world should incorporate racial equality, since that will necessarily be part of a sustainable future.The reading list:•    Mummies emerge from the snow•    Carbon dating no longer works?•    2015 Hottest so far!•    Jim Hansen's latest paper, and new review method•    The Sandra  Bland video•    Robert Reich on why progressive must stand togetherCheck out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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

Thursday, July 30, 201510:45 AM – 1 PMBulfinch Entrance, Massachusetts State House(24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133) RSVP at http://www.massclimateaction.net/renewable_rally It’s the middle of summer and the sun is shining — but utility companies want to keep us in the dark. They’ve put a cap on the state’s most important solar energy program. As a result, solar development and other renewable energy projects have stalled in more than 170 towns and cities. We should do everything we can to soak up the energy of the sun. Will you join us at the State House to call for action? Join us for the Soak Up the Sun day of action on Thursday, July 30 at the State House!  Solar is great. It’s clean, it’s renewable, and it’s helping reduce our dependence on dirty fossil fuels. But the utilities see solar panels as a threat — and that’s why they insisted on placing a cap on net metering, a program that helps make solar affordable for families, businesses, and local governments. In towns and cities where caps have already been met new solar and other renewable energy projects have been unable to move forward. On July 30, we’re gathering at the State House and calling on state officials to lift the caps and commit to a target of 20% solar by 2025. At 10:45 AM, we’ll rally outside the State House entrance. Then we’ll head into the building to meet with legislators and their staff. Come to the State House on Thursday, July 30 at 10:45 AM and help us bring more renewables to Massachusetts. The theme of the rally is “beach party,” so make sure to bring your beach gear! Towels, inflatable beach balls, beach umbrellas, etc. There’s never been a better time for us to repower our state with clean energy from renewables.  Hope to see you there!Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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

Don’t get worked up over a possible mini Ice Age in the 2030’s  “cuz it ain’t gonna happen.” On the other hand, California seems to be playing out a predictable, global-warming-consistent drought pattern. That is worth worrying about! We discuss.The reading list:•    Mini Ice Age? Not to worry!•    Now we know what Nixon knew about climate change and when he knew it. •    Chris Hayes' series on water in California•    A review of "The Water Knife", by Paolo BacigalupiCheck out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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

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 ArcticCheck out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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

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.comBecause 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

Are fossil fuel companies ‘corrupt organizations’ for lying about the safety of their product? Just ask the tobacco industry.  The reading list:•    Is Exxon a "Corrupt Orgnization"?•    The Episcopal Church divests.•    New limits on drilling in the Arctic•    Should EPA address ocean acidification?Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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

This week a Dutch court set a landmark,  the TPP fight moved to a new phase and the SCOTUS made a decision that could be important for the President’s clean energy plans. We discuss. Listen in!The reading list:•    Urgenda's information on the Dutch Court case.•    The Guardian on the Dutch case•    EPA on our climate future•    Why the TPP fight is not over!•    The Clean Energy Plan's parallel to the ACA•    The Comet Lander wakes up!•    What an owl's wings can do for a wind turbine.Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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

Lots of news this week, from the TPP to big events likely over the next six months. Listen In!The reading list:TPPKayaktivistsMIT DivestmentMcKIbben Letter to Obama Big events over the next six monthsCheck out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.comBecause 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 Vatican released “Laudato Si”, an encyclical focused on the link between the climate challenge and the social justice. This is big. We discuss.The reading list:•    The encyclical itself.•    The Canticle of the Sun•    The Guardian's report•    19 quotes•    Five quotes from CNN•    Think Progress' report•    A fascinating discussion on "Open Source"•    Why the Koch Brothers are nervous•    If the encyclical were a movie, this would be the trailer.Check out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/yet-all-is-not-lost-a-pope-for-this-planet-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 McIntyreDownload Enhanced Podcast

Should Climate Hawk point out the connection between extreme weather events and global warming? Ted Cruz says no, Bill Nye says yes. We discuss.The reading list:•    Why we need to politicize disasters•    Ted Cruz's thoughts•    Bill Nye•    ScientistsBecause 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

If our efforts at reducing emissions represent control of the “demand” for fossil fuel, what about the “supply?” Should Climate Hawks push for reductions in greenhouse gas emission from, say, coal plants, or should we focus on reducing the supply of fossil fuels, such as the KXL pipeline or stopping Royal Dutch Shell in the Arctic. We discuss. Listen in!.The reading list: •    DR on the Bradcast•    Big coal leases•    Dave Roberts on the Powder River leases.•    Bill McKibben on approval of Royal Dutch Shell's artic exploration•    Bill McKibben's groundbreaking "Do the Math" article•    Oil CEOs call for a carbon feeCheck out live  links at our blog,  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/06/05/supply-and-demand-for-climate-hawks-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 McIntyreDownload Enhanced Podcast