This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is Tennessee Repugnican Rep. Mark Green who, while still a fool for MAGA b.s., no longer can handle all the other Fools-on-the-Hill. Daily Kos quotes Green: "There's also just the frustration of trying to get something done here.This place is so broken, and making a difference here is just, you know, just it feels like a lot of something for nothing." Green is a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, which has played a central role in fomenting dysfunction on Capitol Hill." A Fool-on-the-Hill who can't stand the Fools-on-the-Hill.
Since we're going on about bad actors here how about going directly to our "Their Brains Were Small and They Died" segment? Did we do private jet owners here yet? If so, let's do it again! A Guardian report from November revealed that "200 private jet owners released over 415,000 metric tons of climate-heating carbon dioxide between January 2022 and September 22, 2023, which is the equivalent of what would be released by nearly 40,000 British residents from all of their activities. The richest 1% of the world's population currently generate as much carbon emissions as two-thirds of the planet." Sooooo, if you are among the 99% go HERE to protest the proposed Hanscom airfield expansion here in Massachusetts.
So much negativity. How about we begin our Climate Crisis segment with some good news instead of screaming at everyone that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" ? If you live in, or visit Medell'in Colombia you may have noticed "New plant-filled curb strips, squares, parks, vertical gardens and
sidewalks have led to dramatic drop of two degrees Celsius across the city.... And as the city expands its green corridors
program, officials expect a further decrease of four to five degrees
over the next few decades, even taking into account climate change." OK, stick a pin in that one city dwellers, on to the bad news: "S.E.C. Approves New Climate Rules Far Weaker Than Originally Proposed - The rules, designed to inform investors of business risks from climate change, were rolled back amid opposition from the G.O.P., fossil fuel producers, farmers and others" reports the New York Times. Also from the Times: "Rains Are Scarce in the Amazon. Instead, Megafires Are Raging." Their rainy season never came. Sound familiar? It's called climate chaos. Again, the Times: "Winter was
weirdly warm for half the world’s population, driven in many places by
the burning of fossil fuels, according to an analysis of temperature
data from hundreds of locations worldwide." And from The Daily Mail in the UK (not exactly the New York Times) this: "The Arctic could be mostly ice-free in just 10 years - and it means intense heatwaves will plague Earth". Lots of visuals and links there for actual science. In closing we have an Action Link: Here's the link for the letter to Gov. Healey opposing the plan to strip local control over energy siting - solar, battery, infrastructure and deforestation for corporate solar.
Meanwhile, over in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we remind everyone that March 21 is International Day of Forests. Hopefully enviro groups won't just use it as a fundraiser? How about some real action to mark the day? And, we replay a Must See video on biomass from the UK to North America, it was recommended by our friends at the Partnership for Policy Integrity. Sadly, we have to report the sighting of a Biomass Zombie here in the Commonwealth. If you visit the site above there are action links for you to pushback the Zombie. Individuals can contact their own MA legislators with this message: "Massachusetts
ratepayers should not fund burning trees for energy. Please ask the TUE committee not
to include sections 8 or 22 of H.3216 in any legislation going
forward. Instead, please incorporate the policies of S.2136 /H.3210 and
S.2137/H.3211 into the Committee’s climate legislation." If your Rep or State Senator doesn't know about the issue just tell them "Biomass is a Biomess! Also this from the Wisconsin Examiner regarding what may be illegal logging in an old-growth area on public land recently brought to our attention by Environment America. This appears to be in defiance of an Executive Order from the White House. And finally this, with another anniversary of the meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuke in PA coming up on March 28 the Clamshell Alliance says "Nukes are STILL the wrong answer"
With that in mind let's go to our Enviro Show Quote of the Week:
“We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.”
— Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation
After our visit with Patrick Hunter we go to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Wednesday March 27, 6:30 to 8pm. Large Battery Storage Systems & Solar Fields - What Are the Issues. Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol, MA. Speakers + Q&A.
Thursday March 28, 4pm. A free, one hour online webinar that will give you the tools to navigate digital misinformation and help protect our democracy. This session is designed for anyone who cares about accurate information and a fair, democratic process. Please click here to RSVP for the event. Questions? Email mcampbell@retiredamericans.org
Thursday, March 28th, 7pm: "The importance of wildland forests for climate resilience and human health." Attend in person at Middlebury College Hillcrest Orchard (Room 103) or online by registering for the zoom link using this form.
Mark your calendars for the final event in our "Forests for Climate,
Forests for Life" speaker series with the Middlebury College Sunday
Night Environmental Group! Two of New England's leading forest
scientists, Dr. Susan Masino, Vernon D. Roosa Professor of Applied
Science at Trinity College, and Dr. Ed Faison, Senior Ecologist,
Highstead Foundation, will present on their joint and respective
research into the many benefits of wildland forest management for
climate resilience, biodiversity, human health, and more. Over the past
five years, their collective research has vastly improved the
understanding of forest values and functions in the Northeastern US and
beyond, helping to catalyze important conversations about the future of
forest management. Don't miss out on this exciting finale to our spring
speaker series!
Thursday March 28, 7:30-9pm. Mass Action Call for Nonviolent Direct Action Against Fossil Finance. On April 24th and 25th, we’re going to take massive, creative, disruptive nonviolent direct action to demand an end to Wall Street’s financing of the climate crisis. Will you join us? Zoom. RSVP here.
Thursday March 28, 8pm. "RADIOACTIVE: The Women of Three Mile Island, Gender, Environmental Justice, and the Future of Nuclear Power" On the evening of the 45th anniversary of the worst nuclear accident in US history, join us for this historical webinar as we explore the impact of the Three Mile Island disaster on women, discuss gender and environmental justice, and examine the future of nuclear power.This webinar promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking discussion, and we would be honored to have you join us in supporting the discussion for a safe energy future. Please mark your calendars and RSVP to secure your spot.
Friday March
29, 9am. Forum with Rep.
Natalie Blais (Franklin 1st) and Rep.
Jeffrey Roy (Norfolk 10th), Chair of the
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and
Energy. The event will be a
conversation, and there will be plenty of opportunities for
attendees to ask questions. Aaron
Falbel and the Sunderland Energy committee are hosting Natalie
Blais and Rep Roy for an event in the Sunderland Library. Rep
Roy is a key player in this sessions’s climate bill as the Chair
of the House TUE (Barrett chairs the senate side)…and the author
of several controversial [ deforestation for solar! ] bills that may or may not be included
in the ‘omnibus’ bill this session.
Sunday April 7, 10:30am to Noon. Prof. William Moomaw one of the Earth's major forest scientists, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize on Storage of Carbon by Forest Trees speaking at the Greenfield All SOULS Unitarian Meeting House, 99 Main Street, across from the Post Office & New Library, at intersection of Main and Hope Streets. Free parking on Street, PO, Library on Sundays.
Thursday April 11,(TBA) Join Washington Post Live for a compelling and high-powered summit with policymakers, innovators and civic leaders examining the tipping points at this critical moment. Watch Live: wapo.st/climateapril11 . Humanity is entering a new climate era. The peril and promise of record-breaking temperatures, unprecedented investments in clean energy and a growing public recognition of the effects of global warming are shaping the future of the planet. Register HERE.
Saturday April 20 All Day (Rain Date April 21) Solar Rollers Earth Day River Ride. Bicycle ride from Greenfield, MA to Northfield, MA with stops along the way and a Rally at the Riverview Picnic area in Northfield to Shutdown Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station. Contact: ctriverdefenders@gmail.com
Saturday April 20, 10am to 2pm. Join us at the Unitarian Society of Northampton, MA and Surrounding Areas for an Earth Day Arts and Climate Fair as we name the changes we see in the world around us and celebrate the solutions at hand in our community if we are able to act together. The Fair will include an Art Pulse for the Rights of Nature Parade, a Mothers* Rebellion Circle, a Climate Chorus Sing-a-Long, the 3.5% art installation, and the chance to talk to many local climate groups about action and solutions! More details to come. Sponsored by Extinction Rebellion Western Massachusetts, the Enviro Show, Western Massachusetts Rights of Nature, and the Trees as a Public Good Network.Want to table, sponsor, cover this event in the press, or get involved in some other way? Email xr_western_mass@protonmail.com
Saturday April 20, 2pm. The Boston Red Rebel chapter will be participating in the Red Rebel International Day of Action on Saturday April 20. We invite you to meet us at the Park Street MBTA station at 2pm on Saturday April 20. Together we will process throughout downtown Boston, MA as a funeral procession with die-ins. The Red Rebel International Day of Action is focusing on the death of life on earth.
Monday April 22, 4pm. This Earth Day, join XR Boston’s Rebels and others to throw a party in honor of our planet in downtown Boston. This is an event for everyone, and will be celebratory in nature, featuring art, music, chanting, and a short walk through the district to share our love of the planet — and the need for greater action to protect it — with fellow Bostonians. We will gather on the Greenway (exact location TBA) at 4pm on Monday, April 22. Join us in celebration, love, and rage for the planet! RSVP Here
Tuesday April 30 , All Day. Join us at Massachusetts’ annual Lobby Day for Animals. During this event, you can expect to: learn about current animal protection bills and skills for effective advocacy; participate in meetings in your legislators’ offices to discuss animal protection; and meet legislators, make friends, and make a difference for animals. Massachusetts State House, Great Hall 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133 Registration will close April 22 — be sure to register today!
That's all, folks......except to remember to listen to your Mother!
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