The Enviro Show Goes Offshore

Greetings Earthlings. Some of us have been entertaining dystopian nightmare visions of butt-ugly oil drilling platforms running up and down both coasts spewing out petro pollution into a sea of dead fish and industrial flotsam? What does your end of the world look like? Pete Stauffer, Environmental Director of the Surfrider Foundation calls in to help paint a picture of fossil fools run amok. We'll definitely be encouraging you to participate in the upcoming Tuesday February 27 Offshore Drilling Program Public Meeting. If you can’t make it to one of the listening sessions on the US Department of the Interior’s (DOI) decision to expand offshore oil and gas drilling, you can submit comments online or by mail. Let them know that the proposed expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling off Massachusetts would have severe impacts on wildlife habitat, fisheries, and geological resources. Thanks! As always, we'll also take you see the Fool-on-the-Hill and to poke fun at His Malignancy The Mad King, plus a trip to The Enviro Show Echo Chamber but first it's time for...........Revenge of the Critters! More critter delivered justice. Poachers beware! 

Fool-on-the-Hill anyone? The Nation of Change reports: "At a House Science Committee hearing on Tuesday, several Republicans sided with Monsanto in their questioning of the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) classification of glyphosate as a possible carcinogen." Can you guess which fool led the pack? Yes, that would be he with a lifetime Fool-on-the-Hill standing, Rep. Lamar Smith, Repugnican of Texas claiming (with his deep understanding of science) the IARC’s findings are “unsubstantiated” and “not backed by reliable data”, a claim disputed by independent scientists.

On to His Malignancy The Mad King and his court of climate criminals. Last time you may recall we pointed out EPA chief saboteur Scott Pruitt's brilliant idea that global warming is good for you? This week it seems he wants you to believe that wood energy is carbon neutral. Wait! Haven't we put that myth on the rack multiple times?? Pruitt also seems to think taxpayers have to pay for him to travel first class because he gets called out for his actions by folks back in coach? If he's in charge of Environmental Protection maybe he should walk anyway. Since were picking mercilessly on Pruitt here's a list of his sins that maybe contradict his biblical take on drill, baby drill? . On to His Malignancy's hot air about an infrastructure program he tried selling during State of the Union Advertisement. Common Dreams noted: "Climate campaigners say the plan will serve as a giveaway to corporations looking to bypass environmental reviews to quickly complete projects—including those that involve fossil-fuel carrying pipelines." Surprise! Here's one to keep the Bundy cowpoke desperadoes happy: lower the already too low rates for meat-on-the-hoof to dine on the commons. Finally, The New York Times tells us: "George David Banks was the senior White House adviser on international energy issues before he resigned last week after being told he would not be granted a full security clearance. He was known as one of the few people in the White House looking for ways to keep the United States in the Paris climate agreement." We guess His Malignancy's security clearance comedy show paid off in this case. 

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week from Van Jones probably refers to the origins of fossil fuels: dead critters from long ago.

“If we keep pulling death from the ground, we will reap death from the skies.” 

It's time for The Enviro Show Echo Chamber 's very first Public Health Warning: Japan Ships First Seaweed, Farmed 6 Miles from Fukushima Meltdowns. Wonder what the contents label will say? And this from our friends at  Partnership for Policy Integrity: "New Study Dispels Assumption that Burning Forest Residues for Energy is Carbon Neutral". Also, Yale discovers the Forest Stewardship Council is, well just about useless in protecting forests. That took awhile!  Finally, there's always space for potential good news:  "Paleontologists discovered a huge ancient fossils trove in Bears Ears National Monument. The Triassic-period fossils were found on land that is no longer federally protected, thanks to President Trump" BUT the lawyers have already been sent in! 


Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Join the “if Trump fires Mueller” Rapid Response Team – Sign up to join our local MoveOn.org's "Mueller Firing Rapid Response" campaign. It's at 50 State St (Springfield MA U.S. District Court Building) in Springfield. This is one of 350 events planned nationwide if Trump fires Mueller. But, it's not just a reactive plan—our efforts are already making news, helping show that there will be an immediate backlash if Trump fires Mueller. RSVP here to join. 

Every Wednesday until April 4. Homeschool Nature Class: Citizen Scientists. Do you have a homeschooler who loves science and is 5 to 10 years old? Learn about what scientists are doing to study wildlife and their habitats, how to collect real data, and add to the effort! Homeschoolers will participate in a vernal pool study, Frogwatch USA, forest pests, Nature’s Notebook, and bird surveys. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary.Fee based. 

Monday March 5, 10AM-2PM. Berkshires 100% Renewable Energy Summit, Susan B. Anthony Student Center G12, Berkshire Community College, 1350 West St. Pittsfield, MA

Wednesday, March 14, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. PAWS II Lobby Day: Protect Animal Welfare and Safety,  Massachusetts State House, Room 428, Boston


Friday March 16 to April 16. March for a New Spring begins at the Leverett Peace Pagoda, 100 Cave Hill Road, Leverett, MA  Go to: https://newenglandpeacepagoda.org/walk-for-a-new-spring/ 

April 5, 6-8pm. Mass Ave Listening Session. University of Massachusetts Center,1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA The Mass Dept. of Energy Resources (DOER) has scheduled a series of listening sessions, offering the public a chance to comment on the Mass Save program. This is a great time for the public to give input on ideas as well as concerns they have with the program such as long wait times for energy assessments, inconsistencies in implementation of weatherization measures and commercial utilities being administrators of the program, and so on. 

So much for now. We'll be back next time with The Ides of March. Until then remember: Listen to your Mother!