Winter Solstice 2018 Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Another year, another Winter Solstice. Sadly the Good Green Witch has flown off to China this year for some reason so her friend Kelly, an Intuitive medium and author of Kelly's Authentic Light on Facebook will help us celebrate. So be it. You're stuck with us to help bring back the light. Also helping to shed some light on just what the MA Department of Cut and Run (DCR) is doing to our forests our friend Michael Kellett of Restore the North Woods will be calling in on the horn and Wendell resident, James Thornley joins us in the studio to focus in on DCR's looming attack on 80 acres of 110-year old oak trees in Wendell State Forest. With the return of the light in a few days we also have the return of The Mad King (sorry) and, of course, this week's Fool-on-the-Hill. Also, our newest segment It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid! rears its ugly head and the return of The Enviro Show Quote of the Week, all that and more but first it's time for.....Revenge of the Critters! And right on time as another Reindeer attack makes the news. Sorry kids, but Santa set a bad precedent with that whip.

Our Fool-on-the-Hill this week may well take the prize as the biggest fool on the year. Sen. Mike Lee is a Utah Libertarian Repugnican who recently addressed the uber-conservative Federalist Society. Daily Kos reports "It was during that address that he warned that if the federal government is not neutered, including the wholesale elimination of most Federal government programs, agencies and departments, then there “will be civil war.” Lee’s claim is that unless Democrats join Republicans and “move to a system granting de facto sovereignty to the states and eliminate massive federal programs like public education and interstate highways there will be a civil war.” Sorry Mike, been there/done that. Do you know how it turned out?

We Have Broken News! Lyon' Ryan Zinke is out as Secretary of the Interior. Toooooo many unanswered questions leading to too many investigations. We guess after his Christmas party it's home, home on the range, good place for the deranged.  Speaking of which, his creepy probable replacement was a lobbyist for........Big Oil! The folks who brought you THIS.

In case you haven't heard, His Malignancy The Mad King is about to wipe away the landmark Clean Water Act. Common Dreams tells us: "As a result of the change, an estimated 60-90 percent of U.S. waterways could lose federal protections that currently shield them from pollution and development." Apparently not content with trashing our water, His Malignancy's former lobbyist for Old King Coal Andrew Wheeler, now acting head of the Environmental Protection Agency, was sent out to break the news they want to gut an Obama-era rule "requiring coal-fired power plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, [thereby]defying increasingly desperate international negotiations to scale down planet-warming gases." Why stop there? This Wheeler-dealer is also proposing to roll back the requirement to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry and allow Big Oil to emit more smog- and soot-forming volatile organic compounds, as well as hazardous air pollutants such as cancer-causing benzene and formaldehyde. Of course, you recall that methane is even worse than CO2 emissions when it comes to the atmosphere, right? Meanwhile in rightwing Poland at the COP-24 Climate Talks lackeys for His Malignancy "offered an unapologetic defense of fossil fuels on Monday, arguing that a rapid retreat from coal, oil and gas was unrealistic." Had enough?  But wait, there's more! The Mad King wants to reclassify highly radioactive waste from nuclear weapons production as "low level" waste so it's easier and cheaper to dispose of!  What about this: "Bulldozers are expected to soon plow through the protected habitat of the National Butterfly Center along the Rio Grande to clear the way for President Trump’s border wall."

Our Quote of the Week requires a brief trip in the Wayback Machine but it should be worth the effort 'cuz it's very much in keeping with the Winter Solstice:

"Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher." - William Wordsworth

It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid! (don't be offended, it's just rhetorical) And protecting and preserving forests and forest soil is a big part in countering that crisis. Here in the Commonwealth you can add your voice in defense of our forests HERE.  This critical point is being made at COP-24 along with some truth telling on dirty wood biomass but is anybody listening? We're glad to see some people are listening to the Valley's own Dr. Mary Booth. Inside Climate News tells us: "scientists found that the trend of increasing surface melting across the [Greenland] ice sheet began in the mid-1800s as greenhouse gas emissions from the growth of industries were ramping up, and that it shot up over the past three decades. More meltwater is running off Greenland's ice sheet now than at any time in the last 350 years, and probably since long before that, going back 6,000 to 7,000 years" The new study is in Nature magazine. 

After our conversation with Michael and Jim we take you to the Bus Stop Billboard:


EVERY THURSDAY 4 – 5PM— MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE, BOSTON— #SitWithJohn, Give Us A #MassGreenNewDeal Weekly Climate Action. Since the federal government is incapable of doing anything we're pressuring the Commonwealth and the Legislature for a Massachusetts Green New Deal. The ask? A 40%-50% reduction in emissions by 2030, and completely carbon-neutral by 2050 to help limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street,
Boston, MA


January 6 - February 2, 2019/ Registration deadline: January 1, 2019.  Climate Change:
The Science, Uncertainty, and Risk.  An Online  Series of Courses on Climate Change Resilience
Instructor: Michael Simpson, MS. This course consists of foundational knowledge in the science of our changing climate, understanding the boundaries of “uncertainty” in future projections posited by the scientific community, how to translate the “risk” faced by a community, business, or sector, and finally, the different concepts of climate resilience and how they manifest as solutions. Go to: https://www.antioch.edu/new-england/resources/centers-institutes/center-climate-preparedness-community-resilience/climate-change-resilience-series/ 


Saturday, January 12 , 1pm. THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKE SAVE OUR OAKS!  Rally to STOP the commercial logging of 100 year old oak trees in Wendell State Forrest. Ranger Station, Wendell State Forest, 392 Wendell Rd, Millers Falls, MA. 01349  The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is moving forward with a contract to harvest 80 acres of 100 year old oak trees in OUR state forest in Wendell.  It is imperative that these oaks be preserved. These oaks are essential to our environment and the fight against climate change. They are more valuable to the citizens and ecosystem as carbon sequesterers than they are to the citizens and ecosystem as commercial products.Followed by walk of “Love for the Forest”. For further information contact: Erik 413-262-1587

to the 80 acres of oaks

Tuesday January 15, 2019. Sustainable Land Care Symposium For Municipal and Institutional Staff

Decision makers, supervisors and staff responsible for maintaining properties and gardens. Smith College, Northampton, MA. Contact Peggy MacLeod, Director, Western Mass Pollinator Networks:   wmassbees@gmail.com / 413-530-6119



Saturdays, January 19 and January 26, Seminar 1: Seminar 2: Saturdays, February 2 and February 9. Dawndale Farm Wildlife and Cummington Wildlife, Inc. are hosting our annual two-day seminars on "Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator". This year we are holding two seminars consisting of two consecutive Saturdays running from 8:00am - 4:00pm each day. The cost is $180 and we have a NEW location this year! Tufts Wildlife Clinic located at 50 Willard Street, North Grafton, MA. The seminars will run from 8:00am - 4:00pm on two Saturdays.  Questions? Message us or call 413-834-5733 (Nancy), 413-695-6854 (Judy).


January 27 - March 24, 2pm. Native Voices: Recovering American Histories.  “The Indian World of George Washington,” Presented by Colin Calloway, Darmouth College. This winter’s free lecture series is devoted to re-centering indigenous peoples’ experience and perspectives within broader American narratives and histories. Each presenter will share new scholarship and insights that bring to light Native men and women as active participants and autonomous history makers. Join us as we consider George Washington through the lens of great Native leaders, William Apess as a voice of and for indigenous survival and identity in the nineteenth century, and how “reverse fieldwork” can be deployed to reveal new insights into the relations between collectors and informants during the era of salvage anthropology. Go to:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2009479659351731/notif_t=plan_user_invited&notif_id=1546365932719738





And that is all for now. We won't be back until January 29 when Dahr Jamal joins us. Until then remember: Listen to your Mother, OK?

Sewage Spills on The Enviro Show!

Greetings Earthlings. That piece from The Boston Globe :"As Storms Intensify Sewage Spills Are a Concern" we referenced on the last show prompted us to get in touch with Andrea Donlon, River Steward at the Connecticut River Conservancy to find out how the Mid-Connecticut River Valley is doing. Given the lack of government and media attention for composting toilets and street run-off over the years it's no surprise we have this pollution to add to our problem as we head deeper into the Climate Crisis. Too many people just don't give a .... (sorry, it's a family show, right?). As usual, we will also take you to see this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and His Malignancy The Mad King but not before we present our newest segment: It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid! However, before we even get to that it's time for........Revenge of the Critters. Outraged Bull attacks car is Spain, see it here. We're not sure if it's the critter's dislike of motor vehicles, but there's good reason for Bulls to dislike Spain.

You may recall that old slogan from President Bill Clinton's campaign, "It's the Economy, Stupid"? We've updated that for the show and for the fact there is no other issue as critical as the Climate Crisis, so "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" got it? And, quite frankly, anyone who doesn't think so is either stupid or downright evil, but don't take our word for it, even the Earth is ringing the alarm bell. Two recent findings on climate chaos should be enough of an alarm bell to wake-up most folks, a UN report found "the commitments made in the 2015 Paris agreement will not be met unless governments introduce additional measures as a matter of urgency." Duh! And The Fourth National Climate Assessment from our own sorry government which notes, in what may be the understatement of the year: "Communities, governments, and businesses are working to reduce risks from and costs associated with climate change by taking action to lower greenhouse gas emissions and implement adaptation strategies. While mitigation and adaptation efforts have expanded substantially in the last four years, they do not yet approach the scale considered necessary to avoid substantial damages to the economy, environment, and human health over the coming decades." I guess we should be thankful for getting anything from the Feds on THE most pressing issue of our lifetime? O wait, did we mention El Nino is predicted to return to make matters worse? Finally, world leaders will gather soon in Poland for COP 24, the UN’s annual conference on climate change. 350.org is asking you to give them a piece of your mind HERE.

Of course, His Malignancy The Mad King says he "doesn't believe" his own government's inter-agency report as he actively tries with other deniers to discredit it.  Recall the present occupant in the Oval Office believes he is "highly intelligent"?  Chris Hayes over at MSNBC had an enlightening segment on exactly what His Malignancy's intelligence on climate change is, see it HERE but be prepared in case you fall down laughing. If you can still stomach more of The Mad King's.......well, madness, checkout the New York Times piece titled "How Trump Is Ensuring That Greenhouse Gas Emissions Will Rise". Naturally His Malignancy continues on with the privatization of public lands as part of his willful disregard for all the emissions and pollution associated with fossil fool drilling. We guess it goes without saying part of his plan is "drill, baby drill" in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. His push for "energy dominance" is, in reality, a highly disastrous effort at making the nation the worst climate criminal on the planet.  Did we mention he's all in for injuring whales too? 

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill also concerns that National Climate Assessment and another of The Mad King's enablers in the Repugnican party. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) has called for innovation to deal with climate change. He said the U.S. needs to “participate in a long-term conversation about how you get to innovation, and it’s going to need to be a conversation again that doesn’t start with alarmism”. Don't be alarmed, folks. Nothing to see here. Move along. 

After our conversation with Andrea we will stagger over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Tuesday, December 11, 5 to 6pm. The Bald Eagle - Decline and Rebound of our National Symbol. The Nortfield Bird Club at the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center, 
​99 Millers Falls Rd, Northfield, MA. Learn about the decline and rebound of our national symbol as well as the status of eagle populations in Massachusetts and the Connecticut River Valley.  Join us to find out the best places to look for eagles in winter as well as during the breeding season.    


Tuesday, December 11, 5:30 – 7:30pm. Climate Action Community Workshop. City of Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St, Northampton, MA. Help Northampton with our Climate action planning. This workshop is a critical part of our community engagement to create a climate resiliency and regeneration plan. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/353928325180340/?active_tab=about 


Wednesday December 12, 8 to 9pm. "Latest on Climate Science and Impacts: 
Overview from three recent reports" Hear a review of these climate science findings and the impacts they project, especially on health, at this Physicians for Social Responsibility  webinar.


Wednesday, Dec 19, 6-8pm. 350 Mass Node Meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA   Go to:  http://350ma-berkshires.org 

OK, that's enough. Remember when you're out there to listen to your Mother, OK?

The Youth vs. Gov Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. The Climate Crisis may not seem like the imminent disaster it is to many of us older folks here in the first stages of climate change but think of what it means to young people who will be most impacted by the intense chaos of mega-storms, erratic weather patterns, food shortages, and social disintegration when the Crisis is more severe! Phil Gregory, pro-bono lawyer for Our Children's Trust calls in to talk about their Juliana v. United States lawsuit and some recent developments. Phil specializes in complex business and environmental litigation, including financial fraud, intellectual property, partnership and shareholder disputes. Of course we'll also take you to see this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and to endure the spectacle of His Malignancy The Mad King, as well as a trip to The Enviro Show Echo Chamber but first it's time for.............Revenge of the Critters! Given so many critters are injured or killed by motor vehicles is it any wonder they strike back now and then?

This Fool-on-the-Hill will soon be off of it given that six-term incumbent Repugnican Peter Roskam lost his race for reelection even though he has been posing as “climate advocate” in Illinois’ 6th district. He was another Repug member of the poorly named House Climate Solutions Caucus we talked about on the last show. Also, Roskam voted for a resolution condemning a carbon tax and snagged a 7 percent lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters and scored just 3 percent last year. Roskam's also on record calling global warming “junk science” but none of that matters anymore after January!

His Malignancy The Mad King recently nominated climate denier and industry sellout Bernard McNamee to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). McNamee once wrote an Earth Day op-ed on the benefits of fossil fuels and is a champion of that coal and nuclear bailout that appears to be floundering. The Senate will be considering his nomination in the next few days but will they ever realize that FERC Don't Work?? You can inquire HERE. We've talked a lot about The Sixth Mass Extinction on the show over the years and no one should be surprised His Malignancy has a part in it, right? The U.S. is a major contributor to the decline of these animals. As just one example, we have imported tens of thousands of giraffe products and trophies over the past decade alone and are driving up global demand. Some of The Mad King's sorry offspring are trophy hunters. Maybe that's why he's not doing anything about it, but more likely he just doesn't care. And speaking of not caring, His Malignancy was casting blame, in all the wrong places (O say, as in "not raking leaves" ?) for the horrendous wildfires in California before finally sending aid after being roundly criticized for his usual utter insensitivity. There are 1,300 people unaccounted for and 80 dead in the Camp Fire alone as of this writing.

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we found this piece from Grist that concerns one of the young participants in Our Children's Trust. "[Aji Piper] didn’t end up finishing his senior year at West Seattle High School, deciding to drop out in order to focus on his legal efforts. College, a career, even a potential job as a dog walker are on hold as he waits for the new court date to be set [for Juliana v. United States lawsuit]." We've reported on plastic ocean pollution and the Great Garbage Patch(es) for awhile now with no good news about anyone doing anything to address it.....until now. The website looks a bit slick but hopefully the effort will get legs. And this from the Boston Globe: "As storms intensify, sewage spills in rivers become a concern. Dozens of rivers in the region are repeatedly inundated with raw sewage from treatment plants overwhelmed by heavy rains." It's climate chaos vs. ancient infrastructure!  Finally, The New Green Deal is making news all over the place including here in the valley during Monte's March. 

After our conversation with Phil Gregory we move over to the Bus Stop Billboard:


Saturday, December 1, 11am. MA Sierra Club Amethyst Brook Hike, Amherst, MA.  A hike on the Robert Frost Trail along Amethyst Brook in Amherst. The trail goes along open field, wetlands and through woodlands near the brook. Approximately 1 mile long hike to take about an hour. Parking is available at the trail head. Love & learn Amherst for all seasons! For info go HERE .


Saturday, December 1, 1:30pm. New England Coalition’s annual meeting  at Brattleboro Savings & Loan, 221 Main St, in the community room. Enter at the back of the bank. Ray Shadis will speak on the topic: “Carry It On: The Greening of Vermont Yankee and the Near-Term Future of Nuclear-related Advocacy in New England.” Details here on the NEC website. 


Tuesday, December 4, 6-8pm. PV Mass Bike Annual Meeting. Florence Civic Center, 90 Park St, Florence, MA 01062. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/donate/289567718566383/ 


Saturday, December 8, 2:30 – 8:30pm.  Sustainability Summit comes to Springfield, Massachusetts.  Co-op Power’s Annual Sustainability Summit is a great opportunity to share ideas with like-minded people on topics from green business development and community finance to grassroots activism and social justice.  Expect vibrant discussions about our society and our environment centered around our theme, "Energy Democracy”, with a dynamic keynote speaker and workshops throughout the day. If you are passionate about the environment and social justice then you have a place at the Summit to add to the excitement and expertise! Go To: https://www.facebook.com/events/2149412618455035/  


We are out of here for now. Remember to listen to your Mother!

VFR Fall FunDrive Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Now that we've all fallen back it's time to look forward to more excellent programming here at Valley Free Radio. That said, the deal is we need YOUR support if we are to continue broadcasting an excellent eclectic mix of music and public interest programming. See this LINK? Pleeeeeeease go there and help support community radio and please note you are an Enviro Show listener! OK? We'll be broadcasting a truncated version of our show this Tuesday 6 to 7pm and Thursday 2 to 3pm. Won't you tune in and make your pledge or go to the above link? If so, THANK YOU for your support. If not......how do you think we can continue with this all volunteer low-budget community service without your support?? OK, on with the show and a brief visit with our Fool-on-the-Hill and the Mad King, also a call-in from Scot Quaranda from Dogwood Alliance on  "The Biomass Delusion", but first it's time for........Revenge of the Critters! We have our reservations about many golfers but on this course a Griz is decidedly on the rez!

We have a newbe for this week's Fool-on-the-Hill, Rep. Matt Gaetz, Florida Repugnican and proud member of the House "Climate Solutions Caucus". Yes, it sounds terribly climate conscious but sadly this entity just provides cover for congress members who, in Gaetz's case ".............. introduc[ed] a bill last year that would have abolished the EPA. When Trump announced that he would be withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement, Gaetz cheered the move as 'strong leadership'." Given this fool's district is in extreme southern Florida, which is slowly being reclaimed by the sea, you'd think he'd stop posing and actually start acting? Nah!

On to His Malignancy The Mad King who has just blamed forest management (rather than express concern) for the wildfire disaster in Southern California. Experts quickly pointed out that places like Thousand Oaks, Malibu and Paradise were not forests, OK?  The Mad King had another setback, this time with what some call "Trump's Pipeline", the Keystone XL dirty oil travesty. It seems "a federal judge invalidated [the] "presidential permit" for Keystone XL, ruling that the Administration violated key laws when it approved the pipeline."  Ya' think?? You can continue confounding His Malignancy by signing The Promise to Protect right HERE.  As you no doubt know, The Mad King fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday replacing him with Matt Whitaker, a enabling goon who is publicly opposed to special counsel Mueller's investigation into His Malignancy's many crimes, which the goon will now attempt to supervise. One problem however, his appointment is illegal. Even so, it seems Whitaker also has a vendetta against climate investigations into ExxonMobil. Grist tells us: "Whitaker promised that the organization...., the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, would 'continue to press its investigation into these 17 attorneys general for more information and answers regarding the true motivation and the real agenda behind this reprehensible campaign.' His organization was funded through a secretive website frequently used by conservatives like Charles Koch to make anonymous donations." And this: It was reported back in mid-October  The Mad King’s enablers on the National Security Council couldn't find any national security justification for making regional electric grids buy power from aging coal and nuclear plants. We guess that setback almost went down The Memory Hole. 

We have Breaking News! We are sad to report that our friends the Bumblebees have just been listed as an endangered species. The good news is that His Malignancy's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service actually listed them? 

After we beseech you to show your support for The Enviro Show and community radio HERE we move on to The Bus Stop Billboard:

Thursday November 15, 8 to 9:30pm. 2018 and Beyond: Election Debrief -- the Road Ahead for Safe Energy and Nuclear Waste Tele-Briefing. Nuclear Impacts of the 2018 mid-term elections--analysis from NIRS Executive Director, Tim Judson. 2018 is also NIRS's 40th anniversary. We will hear from Diane D’Arrigo and Mary Olson--both veteran staff of NIRS--who will reflect on MAJOR VICTORIES that NIRS and the safe energy movement have led over the past few decades, and what they show us about how to win the fights ahead. We will open the lines half way through the event to hear your thoughts, questions, and stories! Register HERE  .

Saturday November 17, 9am to 4pm. Berkshire Natural History Conference will feature presentations by local and regional naturalists as well as acclaimed authors. Berkshire School, 245 N Undermountain Road, Sheffield, MA. Go to: http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/event/2018-berkshire-natural-history-conference/ 

Saturday, November 17, 2018 8:30am.- 4:00pm. 2018 Forum Workshops and Speakers -Building Just Communities in Times of Chaos. GCC, Dining Commons, 1 College Dr, Greenfield, MA.  If you are looking for hope and direction in these troubling times, and are seeking ways of connecting with others of many persuasions, please join this one day forum organized by Greening Greenfield. The forum is anchored by two inspiring keynote speakers, Rev. Mariama White-Hammond & Rep. Jim McGovern and a diverse array of 12 workshops inviting discussion and idea sharing. Go to: https://greeninggreenfieldma.org/events?layout=edit&id=322  

Sunday, November 18, 12:00-1:30pm.  Rally For Love and Justice! Say NO to hate and violence! – Greenfield Town Common, 14 Court Sq, Greenfield. In response to all of the recent acts of Domestic Terrorism and the President's incessant Fear Mongering [and his War Against Nature], we call upon people of good heart and conscience to come together and rally for love and justice, to send a signal to our leaders that we will not be cowed or bullied into acquiescence as they attempt to transform our nation into a state that operates on fear and terror. We denounce all acts of hateful violence and call upon everyone, on all sides, to love one another. This action is meant to get at the heart of the matter. This is an opportunity for many different coalitions to come together and stand as one! View the event on Facebook here.            

Monday November 26, 7 to 9pm. Climate Action Now MA monthly gathering.  Unitarian-Universalist Society of Amherst, North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. Climate Action Now is a people powered, grassroots Western Mass organization dedicated to building a powerful, unstoppable climate and environmental justice movement. Go to: http://climateactionnowma.org  

Thursday November 29, 6 to 8pm. CLIMATE CHANGE IN YOUR BACKYARD.  Mason Square Public Library, 765 State Street, Springfield MA. Citizen’s Climate Lobby: 
Climate change, what local leaders and groups are doing and climate actions you can take. 
Update on Springfield's Climate Action and Resilience Plan,  Valley Bike Share, Solarize Mass, Ener-G-Save, and more! 




Saturday, December 8, 2:30 – 8:30pm.  Sustainability Summit comes to Springfield, Massachusetts.  Co-op Power’s Annual Sustainability Summit is a great opportunity to share ideas with like-minded people on topics from green business development and community finance to grassroots activism and social justice.  Expect vibrant discussions about our society and our environment centered around our theme, "Energy Democracy”, with a dynamic keynote speaker and workshops throughout the day. If you are passionate about the environment and social justice then you have a place at the Summit to add to the excitement and expertise! Go To: https://www.facebook.com/events/2149412618455035/ 

OK, remember to support this show and community radio.....AND listen to your Mother!

Yet Another Vote for the Planet Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. As you vote for the Planet by voting out The Mad King's enablers and hangers-on we bring you, on Election Night here in western Mass, some of the Commonwealth's Green candidates the corporate media failed to tell you about. It turns out 57% of U.S. citizens think a third party is needed. Surprise! Northampton resident Jamie Guerin running for State Treasurer will be the first to call followed by Juan Sanchez running for Secretary of the Commonwealth. Also on the line, running for State Auditor is Green Party candidate Jed Stamas.  All that and the usual hijinks with the Fool-on-the-Hill and His Malignancy The Mad King as well as some Breaking News but first it's time for........... Revenge of the Critters! Elections could be considered turf battles but when humans invade turf meant for big Cats things get a bit dicey.

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is a repeat offender. We'll let our friends at the Center for Biological Diversity convey the fool's recent foolish move verbatim:  "Recently right-wing Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) has sent letters to the Center bizarrely claiming we're acting as "foreign agents" via our work to save Okinawa dugongs — manatee relatives threatened by a U.S. military base in Japan — from extinction. We won't indulge his paranoid and ridiculous assertions, but instead just sent a letter requesting that the House Natural Resources committee hold an oversight hearing on dugong protection. 'If Rob Bishop's so concerned about our work to save Okinawa dugongs, we'd love to have a full public hearing about it,' said Center Executive Director Kierán Suckling. 'But he seems far more interested trying to bully and harass us with tactics that would've made Joe McCarthy proud.' " And here's a note concerning Texas arch-fool Rep. Lamar Smith who is being challenged for his seat by one of the twelve scientists running for Congress this year,  Joseph Kopser, an aerospace engineer, Army veteran and Austin tech entrepreneur.  Another Go Joe vote, if you will. 

On to His Malignancy The Mad King who, besides being a pathological bullshit artist and a fascist, is also the Enemy of the Earth-in-Chief (but you know that, right?). Think Progress informs us of one of his most recent assaults on Nature: "... he intends to nominate a former agrochemical industry official to lead the Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The selection of Aurelia Skipwith, who worked at Monsanto for six years, to head FWS carries on [the] administration trend of filling top environmental regulatory positions with officials from companies regulated by the agency. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Skipwith’s duties will include enforcing federal wildlife laws, protecting endangered species, managing migratory birds, and conserving and restoring wildlife habitat." None of which, we assume, will get done.  Hardly surprising is the recent news that The Mad King's enablers at the EPA have come out full throttle for dirty wood biomass.  Bloomberg Report notes: "The Environmental Protection Agency joined the departments of Energy and Agriculture in a letter to congressional leaders committing to “encourage the use of biomass as an energy solution.” The EPA also reasserted its view that power plants burning trees and other woody materials to generate electricity should be viewed as carbon neutral, because when the plants eventually regrow they remove carbon dioxide from the air." We guess we must have 100 years or so for all those trees to grow back! How about this headline from the LA Times: "Trump blames wildfires on California forest policy and threatens to withhold funds from state"? Maybe he'll use the stolen funds to help pay for the U.S. Military's fools' errand to the border with Mexico? Too bad we didn't have this one for our Halloween Special: "'It's a ghost page': EPA site's climate change section may be gone for good". Apparently His Malignancy's enablers won't be keeping their word about putting up a new climate page but you will get this message: "“We want to help you find what you are looking for.” (Actually, we're looking for a real president, OK?)

We have Breaking News! There is a new citizen petition titled, “Moratorium on Logging on Massachusetts State-Owned Lands.” Here is a link to the petition:

https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/moratorium-on-logging-1?mailing_id=40973&source=s.em.cr&r_by=4071355

This petition calls on Governor Charlie Baker to protect all 650,000 acres of Massachusetts state-owned lands — covering 13 percent of the state — from logging. It includes a long list of forests targeted by current or planned logging projects. Many Massachusetts residents will find a forest near them on this list. A growing number of people across Massachusetts believe that bold action is needed to save our state-owned forests from logging and other industrial exploitation before it is too late. To achieve this, we need to unite forest advocates across the state as a powerful movement. Your signature on this petition will be a big step in this direction.

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we get this op-ed segment in The New York Times from billionaire Hansjörg Wyss: "For my part, I have decided to donate $1 billion over the next decade to help accelerate land and ocean conservation efforts around the world, with the goal of protecting 30 percent of the planet’s surface by 2030. This money will support locally led conservation efforts around the world, push for increased global targets for land and ocean protection, seek to raise public awareness about the importance of this effort, and fund scientific studies to identify the best strategies to reach our target." Wake-up rich people, it's your turn! And this from The Hill: "Arizona’s Green Party candidate drops out of Senate race and endorses Kirsten Cinema". We'll ask our guests about this if time allows. Also concerning Election 2018 Inside Climate News informs us: "Washington state voters will decide this November whether to approve the nation's first carbon fee in what has become the most expensive ballot initiative fight in the state's history and a referendum on the oil industry's political clout." Also this piece: "Election 2018: Clean Energy’s Future Could Rise or Fall with These Governor’s Races" tells us nut job governor Lepage from Maine has finally run his course in trashing The Pine Tree State and his Repugnican standard bearer is in a toss-up with the better candidate, "Maine's attorney general, Janet Mills, who has clashed with the governor repeatedly, including over his wind moratorium." 

After our visit with the Greens we head over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Saturday November 10, Noon. Nobody is Above the Law (Protect the Mueller Investigation) Pulaski Park, Northampton, MA 01060.  1280 attendees signed up so far! 


Sunday, Nov. 11, volunteers are needed for a pollinators blitz planting at Pulaski Park on Main Street from noon to 3-4 p.m. (Rain date 11/18).  If you can help, contact wmassbees@gmail.com.



Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 – 8 pm. Free Workshop: Solar 101 with PV Squared. Have you been thinking about solar for your home or business, but need a little more information? Join PV Squared Solar, a worker-owned cooperative, for a workshop about how you can benefit from making the switch to solar energy. They will cover the finances (tax credits, incentives, loan programs, etc.) and answer any questions you have about solar.  This free workshop will be held at River Valley Co-op in Northampton- PV Squared installed the solar array on River Valley Co-op in 2008!
Information about pre-registration can be found here:
http://rivervalley.coop/event-details/free-workshop-solar-101 


Thursday November 15, 8 to 9:30pm. 2018 and Beyond: Election Debrief -- the Road Ahead for Safe Energy and Nuclear Waste Tele-Briefing. Nuclear Impacts of the 2018 mid-term elections--analysis from NIRS Executive Director, Tim Judson. 2018 is also NIRS's 40th anniversary. We will hear from Diane D’Arrigo and Mary Olson--both veteran staff of NIRS--who will reflect on MAJOR VICTORIES that NIRS and the safe energy movement have led over the past few decades, and what they show us about how to win the fights ahead. We will open the lines half way through the event to hear your thoughts, questions, and stories! Register HERE .


Saturday November 17, 9am to 4pm. Berkshire Natural History Conference will feature presentations by local and regional naturalists as well as acclaimed authors. Berkshire School, 245 N Undermountain Rd. 
Sheffield, MA. Go to: http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/event/2018-berkshire-natural-history-conference/? 2C%202018&utm_source=Robly.com&utm_medium=email



Saturday, November 17, 2018 8:30am.- 4:00pm. 2018 Forum Workshops and Speakers -Building Just Communities in Times of Chaos. GCC, Dining Commons, 1 College Dr, Greenfield, MA.  If you are looking for hope and direction in these troubling times, and are seeking ways of connecting with others of many persuasions, please join this one day forum organized by Greening Greenfield. The forum is anchored by two inspiring keynote speakers, Rev. Mariama White-Hammond & Rep. Jim McGovern and a diverse array of 12 workshops inviting discussion and idea sharing. Go to: https://greeninggreenfieldma.org/events?layout=edit&id=322 


Monday November 26, 7 to 9pm. Climate Action Now MA monthly gathering.  Unitarian-Universalist Society of Amherst, North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. Climate Action Now is a people powered, grassroots Western Mass organization dedicated to building a powerful, unstoppable climate and environmental justice movement. Go to: http://climateactionnowma.org 

That's all folks! Hopefully we'll be speaking to you in a new slightly improved nation next time if we all remember to listen to your Mother. 

A Scary Enviro Show Halloween Special

Greetings Earthlings. We guess in the era of His Malignancy The Mad King it's hard to scare many people these days, all the horrors on the daily news have so desensitized us. The Good Green Witch doesn't do scary anyway and she'll join us to tell you why. Also, Guy McPherson returns with a call in that might actually scare you. As always, we'll take you to witness His Malignancy and his enablers at work in their chamber of horrors, as well as our Fool-on-the-Hill where other scary things are lurking. Meanwhile, over at The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we've decorated the walls with some of the most frightening things we could find, but first it's time for..........Revenge of the Critters! You'll have to climb into the Wayback Machine and take a long trip for this disturbing story but given the season and all, why not go for it!

Our Halloween Fool-on-the-Hill is the Bad Witch from the North, Senator Susan Collins who fell body and soul into the Dark Side when she voted to seat what for all intents and purposes appears to be a drunken predator fratboy on the Supreme Court of the United States. She threw a virtual bucket of ice water on all women and a lot of men in this nation BUT she's the one who will cry out, "I'm melting! What a world, what a world!" when she's up for reelection in Maine.

On to His Malignancy The Mad King who just stated: "I have a natural instinct for science" [insert laugh track]. The Inteligencer went on to point out he "asserted that, contrary to the scientific conclusion that pumping heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere has caused an upward ratcheting of temperatures, he sees it as random unexplainable variation.." We guess it's no longer a scam from China? Wait! Last week The Mad King "suggested that the world's climate might actually be 'fabulous' " Huh? And this: His Malignancy and his "emergency management" types have dropped the ball once again, this time with Mega-Hurricane Michael's devastation on the Florida panhandle. Also, given how much His Malignancy's choice for the Supreme Court has lied before Congress we guess you won't be too surprised to learn he lied about his environmental rulings as well? And speaking of the SCOTUS theft there's some court intrigue concerning what ever went down to get Justice Kennedy to bail so the fratboy could be foisted upon us. Finally, the Mad King's  State Department just published another hastily-produced draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement that concludes the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would produce only "minor" impacts to land, water, endangered species and Native American sacred sites in Nebraska. Make your voices heard HERE. Finally, His Malignancy's fellow climate criminal, Lyin' Ryan Zinke over at Interior is entertaining the idea of using our military bases to.....are you ready? EXPORT COAL and FRACKED GAS!


We have Breaking News! The14-year old (yes, 14 years!) Taylor Energy oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is about to become one of the worst oil disasters in U.S. history. The Washington Post notes: "Between 300 and 700 barrels of oil per day have been spewing from a site 12 miles off the Louisiana coast since 2004, when an oil-production platform owned by Taylor Energy sank in a mudslide triggered by Hurricane Ivan. Many of the wells have not been capped, and federal officials estimate that the spill could continue through this century. With no fix in sight..."


In our Enviro Show Echo Chamber of Horrors we find unsettling news from WAMC that forest soils are absorbing less methane than usual. If that's not disturbing enough for you how about bubbling pools in the Arctic? This gives new meaning to Shakespeare's witches chanting "Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble", yes? Remember those tacky old Japanese horror films with radioactive monsters? The monsters were always the result of dumped atomic waste. They're still working on that!  In past shows we've discussed the shocking decline in insect populations. We guess it follows that there's also a corresponding decline in insect eating bird populations like Tree Swallows.  And, since we're talking air bourn critters and we're coming up on Bat Week, how about our friends the bats? It seems the dreaded White Nose syndrome is working its way west but so are bat scientists studying it. Stay tuned: same bat channel! And another scare for everyone, this time from the Cape Downwinders: "the Oct. 9 NRC inspection report with highlights concluding corrective actions STILL have not been resolved.  Entergy's operation of Pilgrim [nuke] remains in the "Multiple/Repetitive Degraded Cornerstone", the lowest NRC assessment matrix.  Pilgrim is STILL the worst reactor in the U.S. and STILL one step from federally mandated shutdown." A real chiller for eastern MA.

After our visit with the Good Green Witch and Guy we move on to the Bus stop Billboard:



Saturday, November 3, 2pm.
 to Sunday, November  4, 6pm.  "Body is a Guest". Art from the Natural World by Denise Beaudet. Cottage Street Studios
1 Cottage Street Studio #436, Easthampton, MA. Call 413-570-5027


Wednesday November 7, 7pm. Northampton Community Preservation Committee to consider a proposal to employ glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto's RoundUp) in an effort to eradicate a small stand of Japanese Knotweed a few feet away from the Community Garden plots.  so please attend if you can! City Council Chambers, 212 Main St. in Northampton. Also, please send a comment to the Community Preservation Committee to oppose the use of glyphosate and to demand a more transparent process! Go HERE! 


Wednesday, November 7, 7 – 8:30 pm.  Acting Together in the Face of the Climate Crisis.  Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West St, Amherst, Massachusetts. Come join us and this panel of local grassroots organizers -- Jacqueline Velez, Susan Theberge, and Marty Nathan -- to hear about local environmental justice issues and the great work these three community leaders are doing. Registration appreciated: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/acting-together-in-the-face-of-the-climate-crisis-registration-51810186663 

OK, remember now, if your out Trick or Treating be sure to wear black.....No, wait! That's wrong. Remember to......LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!

Another Vote for the Planet Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. We're closing in on Election Day so it's time once again to see who are the best candidates to help keep this planet livable for future generations. Naturally, The Mad King's enablers are the worst possible choice but thankfully here in the Mid-Connecticut River Valley there aren't many of them. Jo Comerford, candidate for State Senator in our neck of the woods joins us in the first half hour to discuss the issues. After that we're off to meet that Mad King and his hangers-on, as well as this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and a trip over to our long lost E-Valley-uation segment, but first it's time for..........Revenge of the Critters! Down Under Eagles at war with gold diggers drones.....and they're winning! 

Get ready with your hot air sickness bags listeners 'cuz The Mad King has been gassing off big time as he prepares for a "Major Weakening of Mercury Emissions Rules".  According to the far from failing New York Times, "The proposal would not eliminate the mercury regulation entirely, but it is designed to put in place the legal justification for the...administration to weaken it and several other pollution rules, while setting the stage for a possible full repeal of the rule." But it's OK, remember His Malignancy says  "...they’re taking out coal. They’re going to clean it". Who knew! On top of that outrage The Mad King's Bureau of Land Management issued a final rule trashing regulations mandating oil and gas companies drilling on public and tribal lands reduce methane pollution. This follows a recent proposal from His Malignancy's  Environmental Protection Agency pushing back on similar rules for private lands." More methane in the atmosphere, what a concept! Pushback HERE! On another front The Mad King's Department of Transportation, run off the rails by evil Mitch McConnell's wife  Elaine Chao, has repealed an Obama-era rule (of course!) that mandated upgrades for bomb trains to reduce the chances of derailments, spills or explosions of that unstable crude oil being shipped all over our rail lines. Those trains are running through much of the Northeast. Just sayin'! O, and speaking of speaking, that new deal with the old NAFTA? The word "climate" seems to have been omitted during the "art of the deal" and, surprise! it's a corporate giveaway for Big Oil & Gas.  Remember "Toxic sludge is good for you"? How about radiation? Common Dreams informs us," The [Mad King's] EPA sent toxicologist Edward Calabrese, who has argued that loosening radiation regulations could have positive health effects on humans, as well as saving money for businesses that currently work to limit exposure, as its lead witness to testify before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee."  If you're thinking of heading down to The Belly of the Beast to protest any of this you should be aware His Malignancy and Lyin' Ryan Zinke are thinking of taxing you for all that "free speech".  Finally, His Malignancy's drunken predatory fratboy  Supreme Court Justice is off to a bad start as the Climate Crisis induced typhoon grinds into the southern U.S.

Our latest Fool-on-the-Hill seems to be every Repugnican on The House Natural Resources Committee. The Hill news guys tell us they advanced five Endangered Species Act bills that "aim to strip all protections for Gray Wolves in the contiguous United States; give priority to the science submitted by state and local governments over the federal government’s when determining whether a species needs protection; and let the administration more easily de-prioritize certain petitions for protection." Of course Utah's own Rob Bishop heads that committee but why should we let him take all the discredit!

Did someone say endangered species? In our E-Valley-uation segment Karl Meyer continues to raise the alarm about all the extermination of critters in the Connecticut River. Go to his blog for some in-depth views into the troubled river that runs through this Valley. And on the subject of Vote for the Planet, Inside Climate News notes "Some of the most consequential elections for climate policy this fall could be the 36 governor's races, where a blue wave could position clean energy advocates as a significant counterforce against the Trump administration's fossil fuel agenda." That includes right here in the Commonwealth where Repugnican Gov. Baker leaves much to be desired. We're still waiting to hear from his challenger, Jay Gonzalez regarding dirty biomass and our state forests, especially the Wendell State Forest presently threatened by the MA Dept. of Cut & Run! Have you signed this petition yet? Please do!  O wait! Did someone say dirty biomass? Palmer "Renewable" Energy just announced they going for that dirty biomass incinerator in Springfield. 

We have Breaking News! NPR (National Public Relations?) informs us that the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change "says pledges from the world's governments to reduce greenhouse gases, made in Paris in 2015, aren't enough to keep global warming from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees F) above pre-industrial temperatures."  Of course, His Malignancy has pulled us out of that pledge in the spirit of "American exceptionalism" we gather. The announcement goes on to say, "Some of the world's top climate scientists have concluded that global warming is likely to reach dangerous levels unless new technologies are developed to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere." Wait, don't trees and soil do that?

After all of that we head over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Saturdays, 11am to Noon. Stand Out Against Logging the Wendell State Forest!  This logging project cannot be justified for ecological or forest health purposes, and has minimal if any financial benefits for the public. Freight House Antiques, 11 East Main St./Route 2, Erving, MA. Go to: savemassforests.com 


Thursday, October 18, 6 to 8pm. "Saving Massachusetts Forests for Climate, Nature, and People"
Mohawk Trail Regional High School, Rt. 112, Buckland, MA. Massachusetts forests are vital in storing carbon to fight climate change, providing critical habitat for native plants and wildlife, preserving historic and sacred sites, and offering opportunities for nature-based recreation. Yet, almost all of our forests are currently open to resource extraction, which is undermining these values. We need to take action now to protect our forests, before it is too late. Speaker Michael Kellett is cofounder and executive director of RESTORE: The North Woods, a Massachusetts-based conservation organization. Free and open to the public. Email: restore@restore.org


Monday October 22, 7 to 9pm. Keep it in the Ground. Climate Action Now MA hosts Jo Comerford and Dan Carey to discuss the Movement Voter Project and the Columbia Gas resistance Campaign at First Churches, of Northampton, 129 Main Street, Northampton, MA. Email: climateactionnowmass@gmail.com 


Monday, October 27, 7 to 9pm. Climate Action Now Monthly Gathering. Please join us. Everyone is warmly welcomed! Feel the warmth of community and the strength of collective action as we move forward together at this critical moment in history.  Accessible/on bus line,  First Churches,Main St, Northampton, MA. Go to:  http://climateactionnowma.org


Monday October 27 to November 4.  Walking into the Future - Listening the Call of the Great Spirit. "We walk towards the year 2020 - a major marker in time. It marks 400 years since the landing of the Mayflower in Plymouth in 1620. We can begin to understand the reality of the foundation of this country. For information call Tim at 413-485-8469


Sunday, October 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Pollinator Symposium. Susan N. McLane Audubon Center, Concord, NH. Fee: $75 (Member) / $90 (Nonmember). This is a great opportunity for a full day of pollinator-related knowledge, with a range of topics that includes selecting native plant seeds, designing pollinator habitats, overwintering pollinators, and capturing and recording pollinator data
Cosponsor: New Hampshire Audubon and New England Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. TOO FAR?  Email wmassbees@gmail.com to arrange carpooling. Register HERE. 


Monday October 29—#TheTrialOfTheCentury begins. Solidarity in Greenfield  4:00 p.m.—Theater Action on the Commons, 4:45 p.m. —Panel—Hawks & Reed—21 youth sue Uncle Sam for violating their right to life, liberty, and property and for failing to protect the public trust in this time of Climate Crisis.  Featuring Bill Newman of the ACLU plus local youth & climate activists. Sponsored by Greening Greenfield


That's it for this time. Please remember to listen to your Mother when you're out there, OK?