Groundhog Day Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Happy Groundhog Day! We leave poor Punxsutawney Phil to his lame-ass jailers (unless some liberation is afoot, let us know!) and get the real story on woodchucks from Christine Maher at the University of Southern Maine. Her primary research focuses on woodchuck behavior and ecology. We'll also have a look at woodchucks being captured and used as lab experiments and the all-out war on chucks by suburbanites. Did we say Happy Groundhog Day? How about Happy Imbolc? It's the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Groundhog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth. Now you know! As always, we checkout the latest news in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber; checkout Obama's record in our Meet the New Boss segment, do some E-Valley-uation, and go for the Quote of the week, but first it's time for.............
Revenge of the Critters! You guessed it: Groundhog attack! A little correction here, the critter in the film "Caddyshack" was a gopher from the family Geomyidae. Groundhogs, or woodchucks are from the family Sciuridae BUT several ground squirrels of the family Sciuridae are often called gophers.....got it?

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we rewind Grist's coverage of the RFK, Jr. vs. Don Blackenschtick debate on mountain-top removal. Finally, some good news! It looks like the Cap & Trade charade may be kicked to the curb in the Climate Bill!

The Quote of the Week: "The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men". ~Alice Walker

In our Meet the New Boss segment let's checkout Obama's enviro report card. It looks like The One is just an average student (Huh? We thought he was the smartest guy in the room??) BUT he aced the test on energy efficiency!

Then it's time for some E-Valley-uation! Worried about that clunky old Vermont Yankee nuke just over the border leaking Tritium into the groundwater? Imagine if your kids attended the Vernon Elementary School across the street or if you happened to live along the Connecticut River? (ahem!). Read more here. This from Northampton Media: Noho Board of Public Works bails on that bogus landfill extension over the Barnes Aquifer BUT not without saying it would've been safe! (pass the hot-air sickness bag again!).

"O Groundhog" by Lisa Loeb from "Catch The Moon" takes us to our interview with Christine Maher.

Finally it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday February 3 , 7-8:30pm, The Biomess & Green Jobs. Mary Booth, Jon Weissman & others consider the issues. Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, 24 Miles St, Greenfield. Call (413) 773-7427).

Friday Feb 5 - Sunday, Feb 7, A Feast of Lights, The Clarion Hotel, 1 Atwood Dr. (just off of I-91), Northampton. A festival of community, hope, Earth spirituality, and the arts taking place at the ancient Celtic midwinter festival of Imbolg. The Stag King's Masque, a masquerade dance and ritual performance on Saturday night, February 6th, is a journey into another realm. Come in costume. Call 413-238-4240.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. MA State Department of Conservation and Recreation public forum on recommendations on the best way to manage forest lands within the state parks system. Whoa! Do we have input!! Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst. Call 617-626-1453

Saturday Feb. 13, 1 - 2pm. Moose on the Loose. Come learn about the effects of: urban sprawl on moose; the changes in the moose range; and the overall biology of the moose. Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A, Turners Falls. Call (413)863-3221.

Saturday, February 13, 8 to 10 a.m. Winter Nature Walk. Get out on a winter Saturday and see what is happening in nature in the cold. We will explore a portion of the Quabbin Reservation. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Saturday, February 13, 1-5 pm. Awakening the Dreamer. 2nd Congregational Church, Greenfield. Through videos of indigenous leaders, activists, philosophers, and scientists the workshop will help participants awaken from the seductive trance of unlimited progress, private interest and unrestrained growth and material accumulation and help us reconnect with the earth and reclaim our future. Call (413)773-7004

Friday, Feb 19, 9 AM to 2:30 PM. Do you know any young men or women who would benefit from the opportunity to learn green jobs skills? The program will begin February 19th and candidates should sign up now by calling The Brick House at 413-863-9559 or emailing jlibby@brickhousecommunity.org.

Saturday March 6, 8 pm, Burrito Rojo in Turners. Tom Neilson's new CD release gig. Call (413)863-3111

Saturday, March 13 at 9am. Mountain Justice Spring Break 2010. "Stand in solidarity with communities impacted by dirty coal!"Southwest Virginia. Email: mdriggs[at]gmail[dot]com or call (508)361-0136

We do believe that is all for now. Next time it's our Department of Consternation and Reprobation (DCR) show. F'get about conservation & recreation! This is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! Until then, remember: listen to your Mother!

The Attack of the Frankentrees Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings! So, you thought trees were all good huh? We'll checkout the ones that come out of corporado labs with Anne Peterman, Executive Director of Global Justice Ecology Project and Coordinator of the Stop GE Tree Campaign. Did we mention their goal of prohibiting the ecologically and socially devastating release of genetically engineered trees into the environment? No? That's ours too! As usual we'll be checking out the latest news in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and our E-Valley-uation segment as well as the Quote of the Week, but first it's time for... Revenge of the Critters! When trees attack! Trees are vicious, if you give them enough time. Check out this collection of photos of trees swallowing up everything in their path.

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes from John Muir: "A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, every fiber thrilling like harp strings, while incense is ever flowing from the balsam bells and leaves. No wonder the hills and groves were God's first temples, and the more they are cut down and hewn into cathedrals and churches, the farther off and dimmer seems the Lord himself."

"If I don't take care of the land" by Sarah Barchas takes us to the Enviro Show Echo Chamber where we checkout a piece in Salon on the deforestation of Haiti. Wonder who had a hand in that! O, and speaking of deforestation: how about King Coal blowing the tops off mountains down south and dumping them into rivers and streams! Guess what, scientists don't think that's such a good idea. Umm...go science? Duh! Apparently, the folks at Wendy's think it's a good idea. They're putting signs in their windows promoting.....are you ready?..."Coal for Kids!" Sign a petition to Boycott Mt. Removal Supporters HERE. And this: Senator Murkowski (R - Alaska) is trying to roll back the Clean Air Act! Finally, from Climate IMC a report-back on that Carbon Traders Ball.

In our E-valley-uation segment we have an Enviro Show Blog Bonus! Checkout the pedal plow the folks from Mass. Bike sent along. No carbon footprint to speak of AND great workout on those calves!

Following our conversation with Anne Peterman we'll stroll over to the Bus Stop Billboard and read about some events:

Saturday, January 23, 1 to 2pm. All About Beavers. Great Falls Discovery Center. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls. Call 413-863-3221

Sunday, January 24, 2 to 4 p.m. ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSE EXPLORATION AND AFTERNOON TEA. Built in 2007, the house incorporates a number of energy-efficient technologies including geothermal heat pump, photovoltaic panels, good insulation, and passive solar heating. Pre-registration is required; please call The Hitchcock Center for the Environment at (413) 256-6006.

Friday Feb 5 - Sunday, Feb 7, A Feast of Lights is a festival of community, hope, Earth spirituality, and the arts taking place at the ancient Celtic midwinter festival of Imbolg. It brings together a wide range of teachers, performers and artists who join with all of the gathering's participants to create a celebratory, stimulating and fun weekend to kindle the fire within during the dark of winter. The Stag King's Masque, a masquerade dance and ritual performance on Saturday night, February 6th, is a journey into another realm. Come in costume. Call 413-238-4240.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. MA State Department of Conservation and Recreation public forum on recommendations on the best way to manage forest lands within the state parks system. Whoa! Do we have input!! Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst. Call 617-626-1453

Saturday March 6, 9 pm, Burrito Rojo in Turners. Tom Neilson's new CD release gig.

Saturday, March 13 at 9am. Mountain Justice Spring Break 2010. "Stand in solidarity with communities impacted by dirty coal!"Southwest Virginia. Email: mdriggs[at]gmail[dot]com or call (508)361-0136

So much for the likes of us this week. Next time it's our Groundhog day special. Stay tuned and remember to listen to your Mother.

NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE TO CARBON TRADING CALL TO ACTION: NEW YORK CITY, JAN. 9-13

THE FUTURE OF EARTH IS NOT FOR SALE!

NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE TO CARBON TRADING
CALL TO ACTION: NEW YORK CITY, JAN. 9-13

CONFRONTING THE SOURCE OF COPENHAGEN'S FAILURE

Saturday, Jan 9, 10am-5pm: Nonviolent direct action workshop
and strategy session

Sunday, Jan 10, 6:30pm-8:30pm: Panel discussion "Selling
the Sky: Carbon Trading and the Failure of Copenhagen"

Monday, Jan 11, 7 pm - 9:00 pm: Presentation: "From COP 15
to Climate Justice Movement"

Tuesday, Jan 12, noon: Press Event: Featuring renowned climate scientist DR. JAMES
HANSEN, and FATHER PAUL MAYER, of the Climate
Crisis Coalition

Wednesday, Jan 13, 11:30pm: Rally and protest action outside of
the 2nd Annual Carbon Trading Summit

Following closely on the heels of the failed UN Copenhagen climate
conference, the Second Annual Carbon Trade Summit will convene in New
York City, bringing together representatives of some of the most
polluting industries, industry associations, carbon financiers, banks,
government officials and corporate "big greens."
Participants will include executives from JP Morgan Chase, Goldman
Sachs, Duke Energy, and many more.
Seehttp://www.iglobalforum.com/conference_live.php?r=22&p=home

Here they
will discuss how to take advantage of the emerging carbon markets.
Under a veneer of greenwash, they will be determining ways to ensure
that marketable allowances for greenhouse gases (a.k.a.,
"cap-and-trade" schemes) remain the centerpiece of global
climate policy.

Never before in history has the need for a grassroots resistance
movement been more urgently needed. Climate scientists now tell us we
are on course for 4 to 7 degrees of warming in the coming century, a
death sentence for much of life on this planet, including human
populations starting with the most vulnerable. If the climate movement
is going to have any chance for success, it must confront the true
source of this emergency. Placing the future of life on the altar of
market fundamentalism is a path to annihilation.

Join us and take a stand for climate justice!

*Nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience workshop
WHEN: Saturday. Jan. 9 from 10am to 5pm
WHERE: The Change You Want To See Gallery: 84 Havemeyer St. (at
Metropolitan Ave), Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
http://thechangeyouwanttosee.org

**Panel
Discussion: "Selling the Sky: Carbon Trading and the Failure of
Copenhagen." With Dr. Michael Dorsey, Professor of
Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College, Cecil Corbin-Mark of West
Harlem Environmental Action (WEACT) and Brian Tokar of the Institute
for Social Ecology. (also invited but not yet confirmed: Patrick Bond,
University of S Africa and Joan Yang, Deputy Ambassador from
Palau)
WHEN: Sunday Jan. 10, at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Unity Hall, 235 W. 23rd St., between 7th and 8th Avenues (1, C,
E, F, or V train to 23rd St.)

***Presentation and discussion: Climate Change: From COP15 to
Climate Justice Movement, with Tina Gerhardt (journalist,
academic, activist just returned from Copenhagen)
WHEN: Monday Jan 11 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bluestockings Bookstore, 172 Allen Street (between Houston and
Delancey)

**** Tuesday, Jan 12 at noon: Press Event: Featuring renowned climate scientistDR.
JAMES HANSEN andFATHER PAUL MAYER, founder of
the Climate Crisis Coalition and representing concerned members of the
religious community.

***** Rally and protest outside of the Carbon Trading Summit (Embassy Suites Hotel)
WHEN: Wednesday Jan. 13th, 12 noon
WHERE: Irish Hunger Memorial Park
(Nearest stop:
World Trade Center (E train): walk 1 block south to Vesey St.,
turn right (west), cross West St., and continue west past the Embassy
Suites Hotel to the Irish Hunger Memorial.
OR: From Chambers St. station (A, C, 1, 2, 3): 5 short blocks south to
Vesey St., continue as above.
OR: From City Hall station (R, W) or Park Place (2, 3): 2-3
blocks south to Vesey St., continue as above.


What is carbon trading and why is it a false solution that blocks
positive alternatives?
Corporations are claiming the atmosphere as a private commodity
and buying and selling "rights" to pollute it. Manipulation
of these "rights" - in combination with so-called
"offsets" (projects that claim to reduce emissions on their
behalf, but most often do not) - will allow the industry to stonewall
real pollution reductions for another 15 to 20 years, with devastating
consequences for all life on earth. Carbon markets in the European
Union have proven extremely volatile, prone to manipulation and
gaming, and they do not help reduce emissions.

Why would this stalling be dangerous and immoral?
The consensus of science is that we do not have time to waste. Tipping
points of runaway global warming are already being approached. It is
absolutely necessary that real pollution reductions begin immediately
and proceed expeditiously. It is grossly immoral to turn this greatest
threat to humanity into yet another economic bubble for Wall
Street.

How did corporate power sabotage Copenhagen?
The U.S. went to Copenhagen with an abysmally weak offer. Obama
claimed (incorrectly) that he could not go beyond the targets that had
been approved in the House of Representatives. At both the UN and
Congressional levels, this is the product of a corporate war on
reason, combined with lobbying in the extreme (e.g., 4-5 climate
lobbyists per member of Congress). They are blocking efforts to secure
a safe future, misleading the public about the seriousness of the
threat, and advocating persistently for so-called "market
mechanisms" as the only means to reduce emissions. These
corporations have a stranglehold on both the U.S. Congress and on
international climate policy.

What can we do?
Join the movement! Demand "system change, not climate
change"! As tens of thousands of people chanted a few weeks ago
on the streets of Copenhagen, "Our climate is not their
business!" Carbon trade won't save us: it's up to us.

Climate SOS, (http://climatesos.org) Beyond Talk (Climate Pledge
of Resistance), Institute for Social Ecology, The Change You Want to
See Gallery and others are gathering allies to protest this event. To
join this effort and take a stand for climate justice, for real
solutions, and for the future of our planet, please
contact: countercarbontrading@actforclimatejustice.org,
or visit us on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=263613903775&ref=nf

The Living Simply Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. How about a New Years resolution (or should that be revolution?) to live simply so others can simply live? Jonathan & Susan von Ranson call-in to talk about their efforts in Wendell. As usual we wander into the Enviro Show Echo Chamber for some recent news. Also we return to the Quote of the Week and our E-Valley-uation segment, but first it's time for.... Revenge of the Critters! alien carp turn the tables on fisherfolk & G-men!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber this op-ed in the New York Times reminds us that "To Save the Planet, [we must] Save the Seas!" (but watch that REDD hype!). Climate Indymedia tells us there's an Action in New York City against carbon trading corporados on January 12 & 13!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes short & sweet from south of the border:

"If the climate were a bank, the US would have saved it." - Hugo Chavez

"Let's Go Swimming" by emma's Revolution takes us to our E-Vally-uation segment where we direct you to Bob Leverett's powerpoint presentation: The Special Public Forests of Massachusetts. This will be required reading for all Enviro Show listeners. Yes, there WILL be a quiz.

Then it's on to our interview with Jonathan & Susan who have actually had a bit of a struggle trying to live simply. Gosh, you'd think it would be simple! One of the issues we'll be discussing is energy use per person on a global scale.

Posted on the Bus Stop Billboard you'll find:


Thursday, January 7, 7:30pm. emma's revolution will appear at the Echo Lake Concert Series, in the Leverett Town Hall, 9 Montague Rd., Leverett. More info: 413-548-9394 and go to www.emmasrevolution.com

Friday, January 8, 7:00pm. Fighting the Massachusetts Chainsaw Massacre! Speakers Chris Matera and Dave Gafney of Massachusetts Forest Watch Presentation with photos. Media Education Center 60 Masonic St, Northampton. Learn about the clear cutting of State public forests, watersheds and parks, and the latest developments surrounding proposed wood burning Biomass plants in Western Massachusetts.

Today through January 13. “Step It Up to Shut it Down” A Winter’s Walk From Brattleboro to Montpelier to tell the Vermont Legislature to “Retire Vermont Yankee!” and Replace it with Safe, Renewable Power Sources. Sponsored by the Safe & Green Campaign. Call: (802) 254-9098 or email: safeandgreenwalk@gmail.com. More information is available at www.safeandgreencampaign.org.

January 12-13th the Second Annual Carbon Trade Summit will be convened in New York City, bringing together representatives of some of the most polluting industries, industry associations, carbon financiers, banks, government officials and corporate "big greens." Participants will include executives from JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Duke Energy, and many more. To join this effort and take a stand for climate justice, for real solutions, and for the future of our planet, please contact: countercarbontrading@actforclimatejustice.org

Friday, January 15, 7:30PM. Charlie King, Karen Brandow and Kim and Reggie Harris will rock Greenfield's St. James Church (8 Church Street) to celebrate and benefit the work of organizations such as National Priorities Project, Traprock Peace Center, AFSC, Arise for Social Justice and Jobs with Justice. Concert information: NPP, 413.584.9556, jo@nationalpriorities.org and www.nationalpriorities.org.

Fridays, January 8-February 12. NATURE DISCOVERY PRESCHOOL: WINTER WONDERS (Ages 3-5). Each day will include a combination of hands-on activities, songs, stories, games, movement and crafts. This program is designed for children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. The group will go outside for a short exploration each day unless temperatures are extreme. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006. Partial scholarships may be available. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street, Amherst.

Friday Feb 5 - Sunday, Feb 7, A Feast of Lights is a festival of community, hope, Earth spirituality, and the arts taking place at the ancient Celtic midwinter festival of Imbolg. It brings together a wide range of teachers, performers and artists who join with all of the gathering's participants to create a celebratory, stimulating and fun weekend to kindle the fire within during the dark of winter. The Stag King's Masque, a masquerade dance and ritual performance on Saturday night, February 6th, is a journey into another realm. Come in costume. Call 413-238-4240.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. MA State Department of Conservation and Recreation public forum on recommendations on the best way to manage forest lands within the state parks system. Whoa! Do we have input!! Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst. Call 617-626-1453

That's it for the first show in 2010. We guess we should start the New Year out correctly by reminding you to listen to your Mother! Next time it's the Attack of the Frankentrees (and this time we REALLY mean it!)