[Hear our podcast of the show HERE ]
Greetings Earthlings. Obviously many people in Washington, DC have gone over the cliff into the MAGA Pit of Delusion & Hate. They represent some 30% or so of the U.S. population but some of them may have realized the error of their way. Regardless, the rest of us are here and many of us are standing up & fighting back. Chris Gish, Community Organizer at Standing Trees joins us to talk about building resistance to MAGA's War on Nature. As always, we will also poke fun at this week's Fool-on-the-Hill, Those Whose brains Were small and, of course, our ever-present reminder that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" and more but first it's time for........Revenge of the Critters! Bear vs.....team mascot?
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill goes plural as "Six Republican members of the U.S. Congress have sent a letter to
Canada’s ambassador calling for action on the wildfires sending smoke
billowing across the international border into their states. In a letter to Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman,
representatives Tom Tiffany, Brad Finstad, Tom Emmer, Michelle
Fischbach, Glenn Grothman, and Pete Stauber of Wisconsin and Minnesota
said their constituents are coping with suffocating smoke from Canadian
wildfires. "As we are entering the height of the fire season, we would like to
know how your government plans on mitigating wildfires and the smoke
that makes its way south,” the letter said. “We’ll keep our smoke, when you keep your CO2,” a commenter suggested as Canada’s official response. Mitigate smoke? How about blowing smoke?
"Their Brains Were small and They Died" segment this week goes to Repugnican dinosaurs in the U.S. Senate who gave the green light to one of the worst beasts in the jungle. We talked about faux "news" monster Jeanine Pirro on the last show as a horrible choice for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, a position
progressive critics and Democratic opponents warn she is deeply
unqualified to hold. Now they've gone and stepped in it. This throwback to eras long gone will do untold damage to what ever semblance of justice is left in the U.S.
On to our Doublespeak of the Week. Apparently in 2019 – His Malignancy earned the US National Council of Teachers of English Doublespeak Award "for perpetuating language that is grossly deceptive, evasive, euphemistic, confusing, and self-centered." The following year they gave it to "The phrase “China Virus” and those who use it" (same guy, of course). Then they gave up entirely, presumably 'cuz The Mad King overwhelmed them with his endless bullshit. At least they could have given him a lifetime achievement award. This week we can't think of anyone who deserves it more. You?
We guess that takes us to His Malignancy's latest assaults on the nation and Planet Earth? Assaults like the plot to steal the 2026 elections for starters. You'll find out about it in New York University School of Law... new report, The Trump Administration's Campaign to Undermine the Next Election, which aims to "connect the dots" on a host of maneuvers by the White House." Obviously the Cheating Liar-in-Chief is fixated on clinging to power even though only about a third of voters want him anywhere near Washington, DC. Not surprisingly, MAGA Mike and his traitorous minions in congress want to help out in that goal by underfunding the elections. For now however, His Malignancy's Cabinet of Horrors' Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is poised to drive another stake through the heart of the
Constitution. Back on May 9, "Miller told reporters that the administration is considering whether to suspend the right to habeas corpus...in immigration cases." Do you think The Mad King would stop there? In terms of the environment check this out: The Mad King's "Environmental Protection Agency has proposed to reapprove the
pesticide that courts have twice struck down." Why continue doing the right thing to protect critters when you can go backwards and do all the wrong things?? Backwards like this from Tipping Point: The "Administration’s Department of Energy just released a report that
distorts climate science and spreads dangerous misinformation — and now,
the scientists whose work it misrepresents are fighting back. The report downplays the role of fossil fuels in warming, claims
greenhouse gases have a “minimal” impact on the U.S., and argues that
cutting emissions is pointless." O wait, maybe that should be the Doublespeak Report of the Week? Finally (while we're at it) "now the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to make pollution
standards for mercury and other toxic substances like lead and arsenic
up to 70% weaker for power plants."
Our Critter of the Week brings a bit of good news with it: "In encouraging news, the eastern monarch butterfly population nearly doubled in 2025, according to a new report announced in Mexico. The population wintering in central Mexico's forests occupied 4.42 acres, up from 2.22 acres during the previous winter.
While monarchs occupied nearly twice as much forest habitat as last
year, populations remain far below the long-term average." There are tons of webpages and videos like this one where you can learn more about Monarchs (#NoKings ...sorry). Help out these beautiful critters. These are monarchs that deserve our support.
Speaking of critters that deserve our support, what do you think is their biggest challenge? "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" And speaking of stupid, how about this headline: "E.P.A. Is Said to Draft a Plan to End Its Ability to Fight Climate Change"? No, that's not from The Onion, it's from a July 22nd issue of The New York Times. We spoke about His Malignancy and the damaged goods of MAGA going backwards earlier, right? It's one of their biggest obsessions (next to white nationalism, male domination, revisionist history, fascism, actual stupidity?). Another example from Inside Climate News: "The U.S. delegation was a no-show [at an international wetlands summit] until the final days of the summit,
when one American representative came to demand that conference
documents include no mention of climate change, DEI, gender, the U.N.’s
sustainable development goals, or “zero growth.” Sadly, it's not just them, they seem to be dragging us all back with them? Maybe not. Again, another Times headline: "As U.S. Retreats on Climate, China and Europe Pledge to Go Green Together." Here in the states we can move on as well.
In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we rerun a multi-group effort to garner support for The Endangered Species Act that's always under attack from the MAGA freak show. Also, how about we "Tell Congress to stand up for voting rights and block any proposal that defunds our freedom to vote! OK, why stop now? How about "Tell Your Governor: Don't hand over data to ICE or other federal agencies"? And ACT NOW to protect Pangolins. Finally, stop logging on public land on Martha's Vineyard HERE.
Moving on, let's see about our good old Enviro Show Quote of the Week? This is in keeping with our guest and the Green Mountain National Forest presently under threat:
“We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and
children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t
speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.”
— Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation
After our interview it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Fridays 4:30pm Stop the Coup Standouts on Rt. 2 Gill side of
Gill-Turners Falls bridge in WMass grow weekly. Bring your own signs & friends! AND: The Good Trouble
Democracy Brigade is holding protests every Friday
from 3 to 4 p.m. at the intersection of Route 116
and Sugarloaf Street in South Deerfield. AND Every Friday HANDS OFF OUR STUDENTS! Peaceful Visibility Standout, 4 pm – 5:30 p.m., Kendrick Park, [Cancelled for 6/6] Amherst: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/778646/ AND Every Friday Jewish Voice for Peace Weekly Northampton Standout.
4:00-5:30 p.m. at the Route 9 roundabout at the Northampton side of the
Coolidge Bridge. Join us in demanding a ceasefire & arms embargo.
Signs & banners provided. Park at the Norwottuck Rail Trail, 446
Damon Rd. Click here for access info.
Saturdays 11 to Noon. Regular Stand Out concerning MAGA government coup & DOGE in Memorial Park in Orange, MA. 25 South Main Street Orange, MA 01364 AND: There is an ongoing NO KINGS!/DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION/DEMOCRACY standout on the Greenfield Town Common, beginning at 9:30am EACH Saturday.
Every Sunday: Massachusetts Rapid Response for Our Freedoms: Virtual 6:30 pm. – 7:30 p.m. To mobilize and activate a network of people ready to take immediate, strategic action to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.-To educate and inform participants about current authoritarian threats, legal overreach, and coordinated attacks on our freedoms.-To share concrete tools, tactics, and next steps that individuals and groups can take in their communities to push back.-To build a connected movement rooted in collective power, solidarity, and a shared vision of justice and equality for all—not just the wealthy, powerful, or those with privilege. Register and more information.
Mondays, 11:30am. - 12:30pm. Act
Now for Vets, Fed Workers & Democracy. VA Hospital in Leeds, MA.
Park in VA visitors lot or,
if you have a sticker or are a Vet, Look Park. Also, bring flags &
posters. Indivisible Northampton & Swing Left WMass.
Wednesdays 11am to 1pm. Weekly Standouts at ICE Facility at 1000 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. Rabbi Susan Abramson of Temple Shalom Emeth agrees. A longtime advocate
for immigrant rights, has been co-leading peaceful protests outside
the Burlington ICE office every Wednesday. Attendance
has grown steadily, with about 70 participants last week. Go HERE.
Thursday August 21, 4 to 5pm.: Stand Out to Boycott
Amazon/ Whole Foods
( 347 Russell St/Rte
9, Hadley). New weekly standout. Amazon
supports Israel through a $1.2 billion data processing/surveillance project.
Amazon is crucial to Israeli apartheid and genocide; it owns Whole Foods. Info:
<rivervalley4Palestine@gmail.com>
Tuesdays, 4-6pm Hold banners, signs and flags, on I-91 overpass to show people that they are not alone -
and help give them the courage to join us and take a stand against the Coup & DOGE. Please make signs with very few words and very big and bold letters. Come even if you don't have a sign, we'll have plenty! Here's the link for more info and to register:https://mobilize.us/s/4Gq1hs We've
added this coming Sunday and Thursday, from 4-6 pm, at the
same location: the I-91 overpass at Mountain Park Rd, Holyoke.You can
sign up for Sunday or Thursday on Mobilize: Sunday 3/23, 3:30pm. - https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblenorthamptonswingleftwesternma/event/766766/. Thursday 3/27 - https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblenorthamptonswingleftwesternma/event/767589/
ALSO: Tuesdays 4-5pm. No Kings Weekly Vigil, Park Square, Elm and Main Streets (Route 20) Westfield, MA 01085 AND Tuesdays 3:30 – 5pm. 12 Mountain Dr. Overpass, Hatfield, MA 01038 AND Every Tuesday in Amherst. Stand out for Peace and Racial Justice (and immigrant justice, climate justice, etc.) – in Amherst. 4:00-4:30 P.M. Main Street and South Pleasant Street in front of the bank. Bringing positive action in troubling times.
Weekly on Tuesdays & Thursdays. The MA State House Stand Out is back in a new incarnation! This historic climate action lasted for 14 months and engaged hundreds of volunteers from across the climate movement. Volunteers are needed!The new version, lovingly referred to as Stand Out Two, happens at the Massachusetts State House between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This is a great way to participate in the climate movement with no risk
of arrest! Volunteers normally sign up for a 2 hour “shift." If you have questions about the Stand Out or would like to get a link to the sign-up sheet please contact organizers at fossilfuels.standout.ma@proton.me
Every Saturday. Geendfield Standout for a Ceasefire.. 11 a.m.-noon, On the green by Court Square.
Thursday August 28, 12-1pm. America's Forum for Wildlife. During this virtual forum,
you’ll hear updates and perspectives from America’s top experts on the
state of federal conservation science and what’s at stake. You’ll hear
from community members and young people advocating for a healthy future
for all. And YOU will have the chance to send your personal words of
support for all federal conservation science programs directly to your
elected officials. Go HERE.
Thursday August 28, 6 to 8pm. The Plymouth Airport Community Advisory Committee meeting. The Airport Commission wants to hear from more of us if you are impacted, upset, disturbed by the noise from the loud, low flying planes, the repetition of training school circling over the same areas, the jets ignoring the noise abatement policy, the JETS period! As many times that you are impacted, if you don’t let the airport know every time, they don’t know you are impacted. If you do not let the airport and the town officials know you do not want more issues with an expansion, the expansion will happen. Administrative Building Conference Room, 246 South Meadow Road, Plymouth, MA. Go HERE.
Sunday August 31, 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Berkshire National Park for People, Biodiversity & Climate. Bascom Lodge at Mt. Greylock State Reservation, 3 Summit Road, Adams, MA 01220. The science is clear: we need natural and near-natural
areas to stabilize climate, prevent massive biodiversity loss, and
benefit public health and well-being. Yet, less than 4% of New England,
and even less of Massachusetts, meets this protection standard. A campaign to designate a new generation of national
parks offers a positive way to highlight important places, connect the
public to our natural heritage, and enact strong legislative measures to
provide permanent protection. For more information, visit the Bascom Lodge events page.
Monday September 1, 10:30am to 4pm. Labor Day March & Rally. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/sjmyvrv8. Join workers from across the valley to celebrate Labor Day and bring continued awareness to Holyoke educators’ fight for a fair school system! Meet at city hall for the start of the march, end in Veterans park to enjoy lunch! Enjoy solidarity, socializing, and building power for workers in The Valley as we oppose unfair bosses and billionaires that attack our communities. Go HERE.
Monday September 1, 11am – 12pm. Westfield #WorkersOverBillionaires Labor Day. Park Square, Main Street & Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Labor and community are planning more than a barbecue on Labor Day this year because we have to stop the billionaire takeover.
Billionaires are converting the government into their private slush
fund and just passed the largest wealth giveaway in the history of the
US. The money they take from working families, they put in billionaires’
pockets and set aside to fund a private army of ICE agents. Go HERE.
Tuesday September 2, 6.30pm to 7.30pm. From Hiroshima to Today:
Jeremy Corbyn & Caroline
Lucas report back. This year, across the world,
commemorations have taken place
marking the 80th anniversary of
the atomic bombings of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. CND
Vice-Presidents Jeremy Corbyn
and Caroline Lucas participated
on behalf of CND in Japan to
hear first-hand the powerful
testimony of Hibakusha. We’ve organised a special
webinar for CND members and
supporters, so you can hear
directly from Caroline and
Jeremy as their reflect on their
experiences. Go HERE.
Thursday September. 4 4:00pm. Greenfield Middle School. Will you march in the Franklin
County Fair Parade with FCCPR? We will be having a
float in the Fair parade. Will you march with us? Please respond to info@fccpr.us. All marchers get a
pass into the fair for Thursday night.
Saturday September 6, 10:30am to 12pm. Standout to Save Save Elmwood Forest at the corner of Cherry/ Beech and Northampton Street. Watch for updates.
Sunday September 7, 1b to 4pm. Life Aid for Palestine ( Latchis Theater, 50
Main St, Brattleboro, VT, also live streamed). Concert featuring Scott
Ainslie, Samirah Evans, Dan DeWalt & Kwartetto Mambro, Patty Carpenter
& DFJB, Joel Veena, John Sheldon and many more! MC: Paul Richmond. Details here.
Monday September 8, 5:30 potluck, 6pm Under the tent at the Elks Lodge17 Spring Street, Florence, MA. Presntation by local immigration justice organizers on how we can protect and defend our communities. Monthly Gathering of Climate Action Now, Time in action oriented small groups to learn about our campaigns and collaborative projects and how you can get involved. Go HERE.
Wednesday, September 10, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The next Wildlands Campaign monthly meeting on Zoom. Please register HERE. We’ve developed a survey for land conservation organizations to find out how much land they already protect as Wildlands and to encourage them to expand their efforts. We created the survey because we learned that some permanently protected municipal land is held by land trust conservation restrictions.
Sunday September 14, 3 to 5:30pm. Bradley International Airport- Ground Avelo: Cancel ICE Air Standout. Route 75 Overpass over Route 20 just outside Bradley Airport, 66 CT-75 Windsor, CT 06095. Avelo
Airlines has become the first commercial airline to contract with ICE
for secretive deportation flights—flights with no guarantees of due
process or legal counsel. We’re organizing nationwide to make it
politically and publicly impossible for them to keep profiting from
human rights abuses. We'll
hang two huge banners on the Route 75 overpass just outside the
airport. Sundays from 3-5:30 are one of the busiest times there, so
plenty of travelers and their families will see our message. Stay for as
little or as long as you like. This event is sponsored by Indivisible Northampton Swing Left Western Mass. Go HERE.
September 17-20, 2025, All Day. Wildlands and Old-Growth Forests: A Vision for the FutureIn-person and Virtual, Middlebury College Bread Loaf Campus, Ripton, Vermont. Welcome to the Northeastern Old Growth Conference! We are looking
forward to joining together with all who love old-growth forests and
want to learn about their value, their ecology, and their conservation.
We look forward to seeing you in person at Middlebury’s beautiful Bread
Loaf Campus in Ripton, Vermont, or online, where talks will be
livestreamed and recorded for viewing after the conference. The
Northeastern Old Growth Conference brings together researchers,
conservationists, planners, policy makers, health professionals, and
lovers of wild nature to share their knowledge and perspectives on
old-growth ecosystems. Go HERE.
Saturday September 20 & Sunday September 21, All Day. On the 20th world leaders will be gathering in NYC for the UN General Assembly and Climate Week. A major climate justice demonstration will be held that day in NYC, convened by international 350.org,
DRUM, Climate Defenders and the Women’s March and endorsed by over 100
other groups so far. Then on Sunday, September 21, “Sun Day”,
local actions around the country organized by national Third Act will
“celebrate solar and wind power and the movement to leave fossil fuels
behind. Solar energy is now the cheapest source of power on the
planet—and gives us a chance to actually do something about the climate
crisis. But fossil fuel billionaires are doing everything they can to
shut it down. We will build, rally, sing and come together in the
communities where we must work to get laws changed and work done.” Go HERE. And Women's March HERE.
Saturday September 20, 10am to 4pm. (Raindate:
9/21): Read & Resist Fest: A Day of Activism, Art, and
Community. (Interlink
Publishing, 46 Crosby Street, Northampton). Go HERE.
September 27 and 28, 10am.– 5pm. The Garlic & Arts Festival, Rain or Shine, at Forster Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange, Massachusetts. If you are curious about the Festival details such as parking, pets, accessibility. and more take a look at the FAQS for 2025.
Be sure to checkout both the Climate & Democracy Tent & The
Word Stage where d.o. will be reading from his new book "It's the Trees"
on Saturday around Noon.
Saturday September 27, 10am to 4:30pm. Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts, likely in the town of
Great Falls rain or shine. We'll keep you updated about the final location. National Public Lands Day. Join advocates from across New England to celebrate National Public
Lands Day. In a time when public lands are under unprecedented pressure
to be logged, mined, drilled, roaded, and sold off entirely, we will
gather to learn from each other about the value of wild, public lands,
and what we can do to protect them. Expect music, art, food, teach-ins,
and advocacy workshops. Go HERE.
Saturday September 27, Noon. National Public Lands Day. This
is going to be an uplifting event where our community can come
together, learn from one another, and be inspired to take action for
public wildlands. Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376
Thursday August 28, 8:30pm. Follow the Money: How We Can Hold Big Companies Accountable. Big finance and big tech corporations are fueling climate catastrophe,
genocide, and the rise of authoritarianism. I know that you, like me,
want to face that reality and do something about it – ideally, something
that is strategic, powerful, and grounded in humanity. This conversation will discuss how people from across the country are
rising up against corporations profiting off of so many harms – and how
everyday people like you and me can join campaigns for change. Go HERE.
Saturday October 4, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. "Forest Fires in Massachusetts: Myths and Reality." The Gallery Room at Plimoth Patuxet , 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360 Entry fee. Wildfires
in the Western United States and Canada are more and more prominent in
the news. There is also growing interest in the role of wildfires and
intentional first (controlled burning) in New England. In
Massachusetts, public agencies are increasingly using controlled
burning in state forests and wildlife management areas, such as the
Montague Plains and Muddy Brook wildlife management areas, and Myles
Standish State Forest.
Sunday October 5, 2pm. The
Reproductive Justice Task Force of Franklin County Continuing the Political
Revolution will offer a staged reading of The Turnaway Play as a
benefit for the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project (The
MAP)at
the Shea Theatre, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA (directions and info
about the Shea at https://sheatheater.org Tickets available here: https://fccpr.us/donate-to-map/ and at the door. Doors open at 1:30 PM
That's it but PLEASE remember to listen to your Mother
