Greetings Earthlings. We reported on this show in the past words to the effect that "Invisible and nearly indestructible, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have seeped into the blood of almost every American and permeated the natural world." That's the tagline for the recent book "Inescapable - Facing Up to Forever Chemicals". The author, F. Marina Schauffler joins Glen for the interview. As always, we will also introduce you to this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains Were small, along with Who Left the Door Open, and way more but first it's time for.......Revenge of the Critters! Another tiny creature strikes again.
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill made some news last week: "A Republican Virginia lawmaker is facing calls to resign after she agreed with a wildly racist statement about Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Representative Jen Kiggans appeared on Richmond-based radio commentator Rich Herrera’s show Monday to discuss the state’s hotly contested congressional maps. But the since-deleted interview flew off the rails when Kiggans emphatically concurred with Herrera after he referred to Jeffries as a slave." As the Repugs continue trying to....um..whitewash? reality & history we continue to call them out. Enviro show listeners, send us your fave Fools-on-the-Hill at enviroshow@valleyfreeradio.org
Our Doublespeak of the Week came with a dash of Kafka when Speaking at an event in Arizona, MAGA freak USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.....celebrated that millions of people have lost federal nutrition assistance under the second Trump administration, declaring that families who have seen their modest aid disappear are closer to realizing “the American dream.” ?
As many of the greedy media moguls get richer and clueless it seems, like the dinosaurs of old whose "Brains Were Small and They Died". "Last year, [His Malignancy] cleared the way for Paramount’s merger with Ellison’s Skydance Media after Paramount paid a $16 million lawsuit filed by [The Prez] against Paramount’s CBS News. Now Paramount Skydance is on the verge of acquiring an even larger legacy media giant, Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN. One family, the right-wing-aligned Ellisons, will soon control: TikTok, CBS, CNN, HBO, Discovery Channel, BET, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, DC Studios, Fandango, Miramax, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount, PlutoTV, Showtime, TBS, The CW, TNT, Warner Bros., and more,” U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders warned last week. 'This is oligarchy.” The growth of the Ellison father-son empire is based on refashioning the American press — or what’s left of it — into the palm of [His Malignancy]’s tiny hand". Is a giant meteor the only thing that can stop them? Stay tuned!
Did someone say dinosaurs? In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we replay past coverage of the beleaguered Horseshoe Crabs, a species that's been with us since before the days of the dinosaurs. We have talked about their plight on the show numerous time over the years. Please join with us and come to their defense HERE. And this: "Our forests are under attack. President Trump recently issued two executive orders that seek to expedite rampant logging on federal forests, treating them as little more than tree farms. And, to make matters worse, Trump’s orders would restrict the public’s right to know about logging projects. Your members of Congress need to hear from YOU. Tell them to take a stand and stop attacks on our federal forests.
Of course, there's another sort of giant meteor that could take out low-life corporados mentioned above but "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" and it's slowish. Yet, how would we know how slow when "The...administration is dismantling a $368 million deep-ocean observation system that was put in place a decade ago to monitor coastal environments, marine ecosystems and powerful currents that affect the global climate. The National Science Foundation said it would send ships in June to begin removing more than 900 deep-sea instruments anchored off Oregon, Washington State, Alaska, North Carolina, and an area between Greenland and Iceland." On the other hand, "Since [his] return to power, we've been talking more and more about data centers as a point of linkage between big tech, fossil fuels, and fascism. And we've been warning that fossil fueled AI is not a neutral tech – it's increasingly being used as a tool of state sponsored terror, war, and surveillance. "War" Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to create an "AI-first" fighting force, supercharging an already AI-powered war machine." Push back HERE. O wait, please don't forget "The His Malignancy’s U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to gut the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Their scheme would open up tens of millions of acres of our national forests to destructive logging, drilling, and road building — including iconic public lands." All at the expense of an untold amount of natural carbon capture & storage. More push back HERE. And this, in keeping with our guest's PFAS focus: "The administration moves to roll back limits on forever chemicals in drinking water".
Who Left the Door Open?? Last Friday we received this from Friends of the Earth: "In the spirit of World Environment Day – a day for climate change awareness and action – we need to talk to you about vulnerable polar bears bearing the brunt of climate change. The Arctic is in a DIRE situation, and polar bear families are FALLING APART. Ice is melting. Cubs are drowning. Dens are collapsing. At a time when we should be doing everything possible to protect the Arctic and vulnerable polar bears, the...administration is moving forward with plans to reverse protections for MILLIONS of acres of Alaskan lands. That means these lands could soon be opened to Big Polluters and exposed to reckless drilling and mining projects. And the proposed drilling area is CRITICAL to the survival of endangered polar bears and their cubs!"
Apparently, voters in the USA were the ones who left the door open and the Mad King (#NoKings) and other present occupants of the White House slithered in to wreak havoc. Where to begin? OK, all the above is a good start but how about: "A shattering new report from the Brookings Institution has exposed the unthinkable: 205,000 children have been ripped from one or both of their parents since [His Malignancy's] return to power. 145,000 of them are US born citizens." And This: He recently "sent an aircraft carrier and warships toward Cuba, a tactic he used before invading Venezuela and launching a war on Iran. [He] is desperately searching for a military win as his disastrous war in Iran drags on. He's demanded the removal of the Cuban president and said he wants to "take" Cuba." Or this: He issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum 7. Now he’s asked Congress to fund it.... he indicates that the NSPM-7 Joint Mission Center will seek to identify anyone the administration considers domestic terrorists, including people expressing support for views like: 'anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity', Extremism on migration, race, and gender or hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality." Sound vague? 'Ya think?? PUSH BACK! And this headline from The NY Times: "U.S. Seeks to Give Weapons-Grade Plutonium to Start-Ups for Fuel." And speaking of environmental destruction how about this from the Southern Environmental Law Center: The "administration takes comments on its proposal to eliminate common-sense, nationwide minimum standards that protect clean water and prevent catastrophic coal ash spills and other disasters. Politically powerful coal ash polluters, including Duke Energy, asked the administration to weaken these protections against coal ash pollution." Guess who wants to "plow more than $800 million into a nationwide revival of coal power"? Or this from Civic Shout: "EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin just came out with yet another plan to destroy our environment. This time he wants to increase the amount of super pollutants in air conditioners and refrigerators. These pollutants, called hydrofluorocarbons, are extremely strong greenhouse gases that trap more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide." Remember the hole in the Ozone?
Time to move on from all that MAGA induced zone flooding above (remember they want you to feel bewildered and disempowered?). Truth be known, we have the perfect antidote to despair and our Bus Stop Billboard (below) is full of good medicine. Another perfectly good antidote can be found, as our opening PSA notes, can be found in....Nature! Which brings us to our Critter of the Week via The American Bird Conservancy: "Bluebirds are a delight to observe, with their bright sky-blues, plump little bodies, and cheerful warbling songs. Familiar and lovable, their enthusiastic embrace of nest boxes also makes for an inspiring community conservation story. Despite their well-earned adoration, bluebirds offer only a tiny glimpse into the wonderful and diverse family to which they belong: the Thrushes. There are 194 thrush species worldwide and more than 45 can be observed in the Western Hemisphere, including the familiar American Robin, the stunning Varied Thrush, and the rare and Critically Endangered Puaiohi in Hawaiʻi. Each of them is benefiting from conservation actions by American Bird Conservancy and.. partners — and bird enthusiasts like you." Wait, they forgot to mention the Wood Thrush, whose melodic song was such an inspiration for Thoreau and for yours truly as a very young boy sent to bed for a nap in the late afternoon as the Trush's song drifted into the window near sunset.
After Glen's conversation with Marina it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:
First Here's Indivisible Northampton — Swing Left Western Mass's complete daily listing of all the pro-democracy events in WMass: https://in-slwm.org/wp-content/uploads/Calendar/cal.html. If you're looking for an easy weekday way to jump into the climate movement, you'll love the State House Stand Out! We gather at the Massachusetts State House in Boston between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Volunteers stand together for 2-hour "shifts," either outside or inside depending on weather, and talk with visitors and State House staff about the Climate Crisis. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3 – 4pm.: Indivisible's What's the Plan with Leah and Ezra. Go HERE. Fridays, 1:30 to 3pm: De-ICE Hanscom Airfield Stand Outs, Hanscom Rotary, Lincoln, MA. Go HERE. Saturdays, 11am to 1pm: No Fear w/Street Theatre, Burlington ICE Facility, Burlington Mall Rd. @ District Ave., Burlington, MA Go HERE
Saturday June 6, 11am to 12pm. De-ICE Citizens Bank Northampton - National Day of Action. Public Sidewalk on King Street in front of Stop and Shop Plaza (Citizens is inside), 228 King St., Northampton, MA 01060 Join Indivisible Northampton and thousands of people across the country from 11-12 on Saturday, June 6th to send Citizens Bank a clear message: financing private prison and immigration detention facility operators The GEO Group and CoreCivic is bad for business. Please bring signs specific to this action: De-ICE Citizens Bank; Cages Aren't Communities; Citizens Bank - Stop Financing ICE Prisons; Citizens Bank + ICE = Human Rights Abuse; ICE Prisons Don't Strengthen Our Communities; Citizens Bank - Cut Ties With ICE Prisons; etc. Go HERE.
Tuesday June 9, 7pm. Rewilding the Northeast Presented by John Davis. John Davis is a longtime RESTORE board member and a leading voice in wildland conservation. He currently serves as Rewilding Advocate for the Adirondack Council and Director of The Rewilding Institute. Through hiking, paddling, and cross-country skiing expeditions, John has spent decades exploring and documenting wild landscapes across North America. To register for this free Zoom event, please click here.
Wednesday June 10, 1pm. People Over Utility Profits rally out in front of Berkshire Gas’ headquarters in Pittsfield, one of three rallies at utility headquarters across the state. We’re pressing the legislature to reign in utility greed, press them to work on clean energy alternatives, and keep Mass Save funded. Rally outside of the Berkshire Gas HQ. Meet at Allendale Plaza and we’ll walk to 115 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, MA. We made a bunch of signs, but feel free to bring your own. RSVP for Pittsfield here.
Wednesday June 10 - Mass Power Forward is holding a statewide rally with three locations across MA, asking legislators to cut our ties to utilities and pass a climate bill that puts people over utility profits while destroying our health and our planet. At the time of the rally, legislators will have just 50 days to pass climate legislation to help make energy clean and affordable . Join us and make your voice heard. Go HERE for Registration, Times & Places including Boston, Pittsfield & Springfield.
Wednesday June 10, 5:30pm. People Over Utility Profits - Springfield Rally at Eversource HQ, 300 Cadwell Drive, Springfield, MA 01104. "Did you know that Eversorce profits doubled from 2024 to 2025?" If your organization shares this vision and is ready to take action, join us. Contact the Arise office at 413-734-4948 to become part of the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition. ALSO, Eversource is planning to clearcut even more trees in their powerline corridors. Go HERE, then join this rally!
Thursday June 11, 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Virtual Rules Meeting: The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is inviting public comment on a proposed rule that would guide how state lands are planned and managed for the future. This process helps ensure that Vermonters have a voice in how these lands are cared for over time. The comment period is open until June 18, 2026. RSVP here
Friday June 12th, 6:30 - 8 pm. The Walden Woods Project, Lincoln, MA. Join us for wine and cheese as we celebrate the opening of our new exhibition, Rooted in the Woods: The Boundless Life and Writings of Henry David Thoreau. This is the first of two exhibitions curated in connection with the Ewers Brothers Productions documentary, Henry David Thoreau, executive produced by Ken Burns and Don Henley, which premiered on March 30, 2026, on PBS stations nationwide. Register HERE.
Sunday June 14, 7:30, the Committee for the First Amendment will be hosting Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment, an uplifting evening of song, solidarity, and action. Featuring an all-star line-up of performers, this 90-minute concert event will celebrate the freedoms guaranteed by our First Amendment—of speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest—and the people power that both fuels these rights and is essential to guarantee them. Go HERE.
Tuesday, June 16, 5:30 to 7:30pm. Climate Action Now Summer Gathering at Flowerwork Farm. 5:30Pizza and time to connect. 6-7:30 Find out about our new *Local Farmer Mutual Aid Project. Catch up on local actions, campaigns and how to get involved. Climate Action Now is a people-powered, grassroots Western Mass organization dedicated to building a powerful, unstoppable and just climate movement. We work in our communities and in collaboration with partners across the region to educate, advocate, and mobilize for climate justice.
Tuesday June 16, 7 p.m. Join Courtney & Amelia Gilardi and Massachusetts for Safe Technology for our fourth annual World EMR Syndrome Day Forum. This live Zoom forum is a direct call to arms for advocates, tech safety groups, and citizens worldwide. Come celebrate our unity and solidarity for all those who have EMR Syndrome symptoms from mild to severe, alongside our allies and advocates. Register HERE.
Wednesday June 17, 4 - 5pm. Bluebirds Are Just the Beginning: All About Thrushes. Join American Bird Conservancy to learn more about the fascinating world of thrushes, and how to keep them soaring in our communities — and our hearts. You'll come away with a new appreciation for these marvelous birds and concrete actions you can take to keep them around for generations to come. Go HERE.
That's All Folks.......except to remember to listen to your Mother!
