[ Listen to the podcast of the show: https://rss.com/podcasts/enviroshow/2088039/ ]
Greetings Earthlings. Perhaps by the time you read this Summer Solstice will be behind us and S.2288/H.3549 and S.2287/H.3548 biomass bills will have come before a hearing in the MA Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. Who knows where the biomass issue goes from there? Susan Theberge working with the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition on the Springfield Zombie biomass monster join us to answer some burning questions. As usual, we will also have you meet this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains Were small, along with other "..of the Week" selections and the eternal reminder that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" but first it's time for..........Revenge of the Critters! Captured Croc crashes plane?
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is actually worse than a fool. Repugnican Senator Mike Lee of Utah is the subhuman MAGA bullshit artist who recently "....faced ridicule for calling the suspect of fatal shootings in Minnesota a “Marxist.” [it was obvious to all the shooter was 100% documented MAGA] “This is what happens ... When Marxists don’t get their way,” the Utah senator captioned a photo of alleged gunman Vance Boelter wearing a latex face mask. The Utah senator also shared another post of Boelter with the caption, “Nightmare on Waltz Street.” [referring to Dem Governor Waltz]. Did we mention Lee's effort to privatize our public lands? [ A Good News Update HERE on this ]
In keeping with the above we have Repugnican Senator Bernie Moreno to thank for our Doublespeak of the Week on the same issue. Moreno posted on X the b.s. about the Minnesota shooter being a leftist: "The degree to which the extreme left has become radical, violent, and intolerant is both stunning and terrifying." Along with a another MAGA operative's photo of fake No King "fliers" looking for all the world like props fresh from the copy shop. Duplicitous doublespeak!
These lowlife MAGA fascists are, of course, all in with His Malignancy The Mad King who has been up to his usual egomaniacal machinations trying to establish a fascist "reality" show for himself in spite of the U.S. Constitution. Last week's #NoKings actions however said....Nah! in a big way. As he and his cosplaying Defense Secretary Hegseth were sending troops to DC for The Mad King's pathetic B-Day Parade and into LA, His Malignancy found time to "quietly slip a chainsaw into the Senate budget
reconciliation bill. A very large, very destructive chainsaw —
programmed to chew through 3.3 million acres of public land. That’s nearly the size of Connecticut." The podcast goes on to note: "... it was wrapped in the usual flaming
garbage rhetoric about “freedom,” “streamlining,” and “cutting red
tape,” which in this case translates directly to: handing public property to private developers while smiling for the cameras and blaming Joe Biden." And this from Inside Climate News: "The...administration has long touted the
downsizing and elimination of national monuments, and a legal opinion
from the Department of Justice argues that the president has the power
to do that." Yes, The Mad King's so-called Department of Justice headed by snarling Cruella wannabee Pam Bondi. The Center for American Progress has been keeping track of His Malignancy's unconstitutional actions. It's a lot.
Enough doom scrolling, let's look for something lighter in our Critter of the Week. At d.o.'s place several species of Humming Birds visit the garden every year. They are a marvel. "Fifteen types of hummingbirds can be found living in the United
States, along with nine vagrant species that occasionally wander inside
our borders. Even though hummingbirds might weigh less than your
pocket change, don't let their tiny size fool you! These small birds can
be feisty and were even considered to be the reincarnations of warriors
by the Aztecs" the American Bird Conservancy tells us. We could use some warrior birds these days but we guess we'd need a lot. That said, The NY Times informs us a lot were discovered recently together: "They are among the most aggressive birds
in the avian kingdom. Their territorial fury is especially aimed at
other hummingbirds. Competition over a patch of flowers or a mate often
results in high-speed aerial chases, divebombing and beak jousting. So
when Gustavo Cañas-Valle, an ornithologist and birding guide, stumbled
across a cave full of hummingbirds nesting and roosting together in
Ecuador’s High Andes, he could hardly believe it. “I thought, ‘This looks like a colony,’” Mr. Cañas-Valle said. He added, “They were like bees.” Perhaps there's a lesson in this for us humans?
It may be a stretch but is it possible those Humming Birds are aware that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" ? Over the years we've talked about the dangers of fossil fuels and ocean acidification in terms of natural carbon capture. That's why we are disturbed when we read this header on Inside Climate News: "The World’s Oceans Are a ‘Ticking Time Bomb,’ Reaching Dangerous Acidification Levels Earlier Than Scientists Thought." The piece went on: "A study, published in the journal Global Change Biology,
found that ocean acidification—the process in which the world’s oceans
absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, becoming more
acidic—crossed a “planetary boundary” five years ago.....Scientists had determined that ocean acidification enters this danger
zone or crosses this planetary boundary when the amount of calcium
carbonate—which allows marine organisms to develop shells—is less than
20 percent compared to pre-industrial levels. The new report puts the figure at about 17 percent." The oceans are the greatest source of natural carbon capture on the planet, by the way. As we always point out, forests and trees are also an important aspect to natural carbon capture. Will residents of the Commonwealth please take a moment to help out by clicking to sign a petition to state legislators to preserve state forests and to expand and preserve urban tree canopies across Massachusetts? Finally, it seems the Climate Crisis has opened the door to unfriendly fungus. Have you been watching "The Last of Us" ?
Remember when the Environmental Protection Agency actually protected? Now "Their Brains are small and, apparently They Died? Mother Jones has the story: "The... administration on
Wednesday announced plans to rescind and postpone rules limiting
“forever chemicals” in drinking water that were enacted under the Biden
administration and designed to prevent millions of people from exposure
to these persistent and dangerous contaminants. Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said the agency plans
to issue new rules this fall that would repeal drinking water levels
for four PFAS chemicals and delay the implementation of limits on two
others.....New data shows that PFAS are found at more than 8,500 drinking water sources across all 50 states and Washington, DC. Recent research has found that PFAS in ocean waters can disrupt carbon cycles, increasing climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions." We guess the dinosaurs are back and ignoring the asteroid yet again.
In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we repeat with some shameless self-promotion what our friend Michael Kellett wrote in the Foreword of d.o's new book "It's the Trees": "As you read this lyrical and heartwarming ode to trees
and forests, I hope you are reminded about how impoverished the world
would be without them. Then, I hope you will take to heart the book’s
passionate plea for doing something to preserve and restore trees and
the forests of which they are a part." So, if you're looking for the perfect gift for some forest-loving friend or relation copies are available at Levellers Press or from Amazon. Happy Summer Solstice reading! O wait, would you also like to have some crushed ICE this Summer ? Go HERE. and for residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts go HERE.
Time for our Enviro Show Quote of the Week. Here's an appropriate one...
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.
Wednesdays 11am to 1pm. Weekly Standouts at ICE Facility at 1000 District Ave.,
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.
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.
Informal public hearings on OSHA's Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings proposed rule is scheduled to be held virtually continuing through July 2, 2025. Go HE RE.
Thursday July 3, 3 to 4pm. What’s the Plan? A Weekly Discussion with Indivisible’s Co-Founders. Coming together in community to process what’s happening, to sift through what’s important and what’s just noise, and coalesce around strategies for fighting back. Join Indivisible co-founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin each week, as we carve out an hour to discuss what’s happening and – more importantly – what’s the plan. Go HERE.
Thursday July 3, 4 – 5:30pm. Stop the Cuts, Amherst MA Standout. Kendrick Park, E Pleasant St. Amherst, MA 01002 Senate Republicans just rammed through their Medicaid and SNAP slashing reconciliation bill. Now it’s headed back to the House for one final vote. So it’s time to turn up the heat on House Republicans to vote NO. It’s our last chance to stop this bill in its tracks. Bring your Spirit of '76 energy to this peaceful standout, sponsored by Indivisible West Quabbin.
Friday July 4, All Day. Please consider NOT protesting His Malignacy & MAGA on Independence Day. It could be construed as anti-American and infiltrated by agent provacs. That said, Neighbors Read the Declaration of Independence Together, Friday, July 4, 10 am - 12 pm, Wendell, MA Town Common (or Wendell Free Library in event of rain), sponsored by Wendell Historical Commission. AND Good Trouble Democracy Brigade Standout, Friday, 3 pm - 4 pm, Rte.116 & Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield, MA.
Thursday July 10, 12 noon. Hyannis Rotary Club is honored to host Dr.
Peter Moyer as our speaker at our regular noon
meeting at Alberto’s restaurant in Hyannis. APPC Newsletter readers and
members of Cape Downwinders are invited to join us, via Zoom, for Dr.
Moyer’s talk. Dr.
Moyer has a decades-long interest in nuclear reactors and nuclear war
and their harm to human health. In the past year, he has been actively supporting Diane Turco and the Cape Downwinders in monitoring the closure of the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant, gaining in the process an understanding of the politics of nuclear plant decommissioning. Go HERE.
Thursday July 10, 7pm for Wilderness Works Too: The Promise of Passive Rewilding with Shelby Perry. A virtual presentation. Shelby Perry is the Director of the Wildlands Ecology Program at Northeast Wilderness Trust.
The Wildlands Ecology Program is aimed at conducting, supporting, and
sharing ecological research pertaining to wildlands, along with
inventorying ecological values on the trust’s protected lands. Shelby is
a dynamic and frequent speaker around the northeast on the topics of
wildlands, rewilding, and old forests.
Saturday, July 12, 2025 1:00–2:15pm. Weekend: Stories in the Seams: A Conversation & Patchwork Session on
Kids’ Clothes, Care & Climate. Join Mothers Out Front and Left Knee Patch for
a cozy, hands-on evening of conversation and creativity. Together,
we'll explore how reuse and repair are everyday acts of climate justice —
and how moms and caregivers are leading the way. We'll cover: Why
reusing and repairing children's clothing matters for our planet and
communities; The stigma surrounding preloved clothes and how to challenge it & Stories of care and resilience woven into the clothes we keep. Go HERE
Sunday July 15 & July 22, 5-8 pm. Non-violent
direct action training prepares people to make the choice to
participate in a diversity of actions that aim to resist a current
policy or situation. Taking the training does not obligate you to choose
to risk arrest, and there are countless strategies of resistance and
non-cooperation. With both instructional and experiential activities,
participants will learn some of the history and approaches to non-
violent actions, techniques for de-escalation and navigating hecklers,
self-care, the role of power and privilege in this work, the use and
purpose of affinity groups, including special roles, community building,
and, how to prepare for an action whether it involves risking arrest or
not. Please REGISTER HERE no later than July 12, 9:00 pm (Email heckysmith@gmail.com with any questions)
Wednesday July 16 6,-7:30pm. DCR’s Wachusett Complex Resource Management Plans Draft Release Public Meeting, The public can register for this meeting by following
this link. If there are any questions or concern, please email
mass.parks@mass.gov.
Thursday July 17, 6 – 7pm. Good Trouble Lives On! On
July 17, the anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing,
People Power United is hosting a virtual event to honor his legacy and
defend our rights and freedoms. As Trump and his allies push voter
suppression bills like the SAVE
Act and criminalize protest, we’re rising up in nonviolent
resistance—because in America, the power belongs to the people. This
isn’t just a virtual rally. It’s a moral stand. It’s Good Trouble—alive
and marching forward. Go HERE.
Thursday July 24, 2pm & 6pm. The new SMART 3.0 solar subsidy regulations [are] released. While they are in effect now, DOER will be conducting 3
months of public processes - public hearings and public comments. While
the new regulations are very good in protecting the environment, carbon
sequestration and promoting development on the built environment, there
is room for improvement. This is the final push on the long road of SMART regulations. Once this period is over the regulations will be finalized. We need to raise our voices for 2 important reasons: 1. To protect the good things in these regulations - please include a thank you! 2. To prevent watering down of the regulations by parties lobbying for less protective, more industry-friendly approach. 2pm Register 6PM Register . Public comments are due by July 25 at 5pm. They can be sent to DOER.SMART@mass.gov . Summary of the SMART 3.0 regulations - Word, pdfAnalysis of the SMART 3.0 regulations - Word, pdfThe website with the regulations can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/smart-programmatic-review Friday July 25, 1:00 PM, the Department
of Energy Resources (DOER) will host an in-person public hearing to
accept comments on the SMART 3.0 regulations (https://t.e2ma.net/click/krjugj/ws4oz/g0j1bs).
The hearing will be held in the Stinchfield Lecture Hall at Greenfield
Community College, 1 College Drive, Greenfield, MA. Participants who
would like to attend and provide comments in person may register for the
hearing by filling out this form (https://t.e2ma.net/click/krjugj/ws4oz/wsk1bs). Additional details on the rulemaking process and a summary of the proposed program changes can be found on DOER (https://t.e2ma.net/click/krjugj/ws4oz/cll1bs). The deadline for submission of public comments will be 5:00 pm on July 25th.
Saturday July 26, 10am. Rain Date July 27. Join Standing Trees for a guided hike to North Pond and some amazing
old forest in the Telephone Gap area of the Green Mountain National
Fores near Chittenden, VT. Along the way, we'll
give you the latest on the massive Telephone Gap logging project that
threatens much of the old and mature forest that make this area so
special. Expect 5-6 miles of hiking with approx 1200ft elevation change.
RSVPs are required for updates and the exact
location. RSVP HERE. 8am - 1pm
. Join 2 million fellow Americans in Washington, D.C., and your state capital, for the March for Integrity—the
largest grassroots Money Out of Politics Movement march in Washington,
D.C., all 50 state capitals, and major metro areas across the...movement to demand an end to political corruption. It’s time to ban lobbyist gifts, stop congressional stock trading, and pass The WE the People Amendment to permanently keep money out of politics. Go HERE.
Thursday July 31, 7pm. Please join Beyond Plastics for an inspiring look at some existing
alternatives to single-use plastic packaging featuring reuse and refill
business leaders, Sarah Paiji Yoo, the CEO and Co-Founder of Blueland,
makers of non-toxic natural cleaning products sold in reusable,
refillable packaging and Rob Kutner, the CRO of USEFULL, a fast-growing
reuse program provider that makes it easy for colleges and universities
to seamlessly offer takeout meals in stainless steel returnable
containers. Go HERE.
Saturday August 9, 4 to 8pm. Valley Free Radio, WXOJ-LP 103.3 FM, a non-profit community radio
station, is celebrating 20 years of independent broadcasting with a free
community concert at the Elks Lodge, located at 17 Spring Street, Florence, MA. The celebration will feature: Live music from Kalliope Jones and Shokazoba; Studio tours of Valley Free ; Food and treats from Crêpes Nanou Food Truck, Caravan
Kitchen, and Crooked Stick Pops & A live simulcast on 103.3 FM and streaming at valleyfreeradio.org
Sunday September 21, All Day. Sun Day is a day of action celebrating solar
and wind power, and the movement to leave fossil fuels behind.
That's it folks except to remember to listen to your Mother.
