[ Hear the entire podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/enviroshow/1751186/ ]
Greetings Earthlings. Is it "déjà vu all over again" like Yogi Berra once said? Or worse?? Strap-in, it's going to be a rough ride because! In terms of the Climate Crisis and the Sixth Great Extinction a LOT was riding on this election. Wait, did we forget to mention the future of our Nation? Speaking of, how about the lack of understanding and respect by far too many folks concerning our trees and forests. Michael Kellett, the co-founder and Executive Director of RESTORE: The North Woods returns to the show as we discuss what's wrong in this picture. As always we will also introduce you to our Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains Were small and more but first it's time for.......Revenge of the Critters! Here's one for all you tough guys out there: "A 'Prophet' Who Challenged A Pride Of Lions To A Fistfight"
We have the perfect candidate this week for "Their Brains Were Small and They Died". She reminds us of dinosaurs from long ago 'cuz nowadays folks really shouldn't talk like this: "Michele Morrow, a conservative activist who last week upset the incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction in North Carolina’s Republican primary, expressed support in 2020 for the televised execution of former President Barack Obama and suggested killing then-President-elect Joe Biden." Whoa! Superintendent of Public Instruction ?? Maybe not.
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill could just as easily qualified for "Their Brains Were Small.." Rep. Clay Higgins, Repug of Louisiana is so much the classic hateful deep south redneck we wonder why we didn't nominate him long ago? Mother Jones notes, "His record includes allegedly putting a gun to the head of one of his ex-wives, voting for a neo-Nazi, and assaulting an unarmed Black man while working as a cop." If you click on the link you'll see Higgins even looks the part.
Bad players abound this week and even the hosts of the hopeless COP29 climate meeting, the government of Azerbaijan "...has locked up dozens of activists and journalists in what experts describe as the country’s most aggressive campaign of repression in years." Don't they know "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" ? Folks in Spain certainly know: "The flooding in eastern Spain, already the deadliest disaster in the country’s recent history, is a foretaste of the extreme storms that the region can expect to see more of as humans continue heating up the planet, scientists said this week." reports The New York Times. "In the town of Chiva, west of the city of Valencia, nearly 20 inches of rain fell in eight hours..., Spain’s meteorological agency said. That’s what the area normally receives in a year." Of course, the other side of the same coin is increasing drought in other areas. No word yet on how many toxins may have been released in the storm but that eventuality in this modern world of climate chaos is growing. Back to the bad players: "So far this year, the American Chemistry Council has spent almost $9.9 million lobbying on issues including the EPA’s attempt to further regulate toxic chemicals and protect communities from chemical accidents. The lobbying group also helped weaken bipartisan rail safety legislation following the East Palestine train derailment,.." Yes, bad players trying to game bad news like this from Counterpunch: "A casual reading of climate change literature reveals several mentions of ecosystem impairment or collapse of one sort or another occurring in various time frames this century. In that context, nothing quite compares to a Double Blue Ocean Event. This event, should it occur, changes everything. It has the potential to be the “holocaust of climate change” with uncontrollable self-propelled rapid global temperature rise damaging or completely destroying ecosystems supportive of life. Already, there’s palpable early-stage evidence this has started, for example, in the Amazon rainforest." Too many links to read?...then go out and do something! And don't forget direct action, OK?
Let's shift gears and go to something positive. What's your favorite animal? Send us your candidates (no, not your dog or cat). Which wildlife critter do you like best? Email us at enviroshow@valleyfreeradio.orgHorseshoe crabs have endured every single great mass extinction on this planet.
It is such a resilient species, and we can bring it back." We love survivors and as a kid, d.o. was fascinated with these critters. Nowadays Horseshoe Crabs need our help. They are victimized for bait, by stupid human mishandling, and for medical use. Please help this truly ancient species by going HERE.
In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we echo our friends' petition asking us to “support Preserve October Mountain Forest’s goal to stop the logging and other forest management activities of 447 acres of woodlands as proposed in the “Ant Lot” project by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)". We call them the Dept. of Cut & Run here on this show because....well....that's what they do! And speaking of agency failure how about this? "EPA said Wednesday it has given preliminary approval to a pilot project that would use phosphate mining waste in roads....The move followed state legislation that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law.. allowing phosphogypsum use in roads if approved by the federal agency." The waste can be radioactive, but more commonly, it contains high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, which contribute to red tide, toxic algae and fish kills. Think runoff. Protest HERE. We'll be doing an upcoming show focused solely on forest degradation but this new finding on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List requires mention now: "More than a third of the world’s tree species are threatened with extinction, according to the first comprehensive assessment of trees by the world’s leading scientific authority on the status of species....Around the world, the biggest threats to trees are agriculture and logging, followed by urbanization," Of course, climate chaos is another contributing factor but it's that direct human activity that seems to be the greatest threat of all.
On to our Doublespeak of the Week. This one comes from a report subtitled "Exposing the Fossil Fuel Industry's Deadly Spin" and given the real science on Climate it surely qualifies: "The American Petroleum Institute blusters that the United States is in “good shape” thanks to natural gas. “Let’s not get unreasonably concerned about [methane], because the industry has been addressing it,” reassures an API executive." We guess he means they packaged it up, addressed it to Life on Earth and sent it on its way?
And our Enviro Show Quote of the Week is:
"Trumpism triumphed, and the godhead of this cult has become both the first fascist and the first convicted felon to win an American presidential election."
After our conversation with Michael it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Wednesday November 20, 6
Wednesday November 20, 6:30 to 8pm. Hybrid MA Rescue Raptors Program. Raptors, foxes, bobcats, skunks, racoons, coyotes, fischers and other predators balance Massachusetts’ ecosystems. But shocking numbers of these iconic creatures have been sickened and killed after eating poisoned rodents. Mass Audubon’s Rescue Raptors program supports groups in communities across Massachusetts to reduce or eliminate the use of these poisons. A new local team focused on this issue called Friends of Worcester Wildlife has been formed by a group of Worcester residents. Please join them for a gathering to learn how rodent poisons harm wildlife and ways you can help, including how you could become an active part of the group. Wildlife advocates and interested residents from surrounding towns are also welcome ! Worcester Public Library (Main Library), Banx Room, 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA. Or Register to join via Zoom.
Thursday, November 21, 3-4 p.m. Join the Union of Concerned Scientists for a training webinar highlighting timely ways for scientists and science advocates to get involved in equitable, science-based advocacy after the 2024 election. We need you to stay engaged in the next weeks and months. UCS experts will share insights about federal policy opportunities during the lame duck period and the first 100 days of the new administration, as well as highlighting timely and strategic ways for UCS supporters to get involved. Register for the training webinar today.
Thursday November 21, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join MA Sen. Jo Comerford at People's Town Hall via Zoom. "My team and I will highlight the work we have been engaged in on behalf of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district and look forward to what lies ahead. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and/or offer feedback". If you have any questions. Registration is required — sign up here.
Thursday November 21, 7-8pm. Climate and Solar Virtual Legislative Update. Join Sam Anderson, Mass Audubon’s Director of Legislative and Government Affairs, for the breaking updates on solar and climate policies in our state legislature. Sam will also be breaking down how the solar siting regulations in the new climate bill will impact our towns and cities. [ Be sure to ask why they are still supporting logging in a Climate Crisis?! ] Register HERE.
Monday November 25, 1pm. George Wuerthner will discuss “Why Forest Thinning Proposals are Misguided.” Although
California state government is funding forest thinning to protect
residents from wildfire, many scientists find it ineffective. Instead
many recommend people protect the exterior of their homes by making them
impervious to fire. This process is called home hardening. George
Wuerthner has studied and the observed what works for many years – and
will discuss his findings with us. Go HERE.
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Monday November 25, 5:30pm. Rally prior to the 6:30 Meeting of the Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel at 26 Court Street, Great Room at Plymouth Town Hall, Plymouth, MA 02360. The meeting is both inperson and virtual. . The presentation will delve into critical scientific research and data, illuminating the dangers posed by Holtec's planned surface water discharge [the DEP permit denial is under appeal by Holtec] and the ongoing illegal airborne discharge of Pilgrim's radioactive industrial wastewater through evaporation. This is not just an ordinary meeting; it's our community opportunity to engage with real science that must shape environmentally sound decommissioning decisions, protect the healthy future of our marine environments, and ensure public safety for generations to come.
Monday November 25, 6:30 p.m. – Wendell Free Library presents The Return of Old Growth Forests, Film Showing and Q&A with filmmaker. Today there is great interest in ancient, “old-growth” forests. New England, surprisingly, still has some small fragments of such old forests, although they represent less than 1% of its original, pre-settlement forest. A high percentage of central New England land is cloaked in second- growth forest that is recovering from the massive land clearing of former agricultural years. A significant amount of such second- growth, which is at most 150 or so years old, should be set aside to eventually become old-growth once again, allowing it to regain greater biodiversity, an improved gene pool, and therefore enhanced resilience and adaptability (not to mention natural beauty). In this one-hour film, we will learn how to recognize some of the visual characteristics of our remnant, northeastern old-growth forests, with scenes from several of our most beautiful examples. Wendell Depot Road, Wendell MA 01379 Call (978) 544-3559
Thursday November 28, 9am – 7pm. Western Mass Goes to Plymouth for National Day of Mourning 2024. Bus leaves from 1 Roundhouse Plaza, Northampton, at 9 AM. Plan to be on site from 12 PM to 4 PM. Arrive back in Northampton by 7 PM. *N95 masks or equivalent are required while on the bus.* Masks will be available for those who do not have one. Bus fee is $57/seat. Reach out if you would like to join, but the bus fee is not feasible! Since 1970, Indigenous people & their allies have gathered at noon on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native people do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims & other European settlers. Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands and the erasure of Native cultures. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Indigenous ancestors and Native resilience. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection, as well as a protest again. Sign up HERE.
Tuesday December 3, 6:00pm. The Climate Fight Ahead. The fight for climate justice continues! Rally with movement leaders and leading members of Congress to learn how we can continue to push for climate, clean energy, and environmental justice during a Trump Administration. We’ll hear from leading climate champions on Capitol Hill about how to push back against Trump’s pro-fossil fuel agenda, as well as from movement leaders about how we can keep up the fight in our communities. Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University • 730 21st St NW, Washington, D.C. , DC 20037 US. Host Contact Info: sara@fossilfree.media
Wednesday December 4, 6pm. The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own yards and restorations. He also shares practial advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area. The Nature of Oaks will inspire you to treasure these trees and to act to nurture and protect them. Go HERE.
Wednesday December 4, 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Join The Walden Woods Project and RESTORE: The North Woods for a virtual presentation from Michael Kellett about the campaign for new national parks, why it is important, and how we can build grassroots support to make this vision a reality. Henry David Thoreau had the far-sighted vision to declare, “Each town should have a park.” Yet, the people in most American towns still do not have ready access to a large public park. Go HERE.
Tuesday December 10, 6 to 8pm. Virtual Town Hall Forum: New Clean Energy Permitting - Next Strategies for Town Activists. Zoom link HERE Meeting ID: 839 0679 6886, Passcode: 339921 phone: 1-309-205 3325. Sponsored by: No Assault & Batteries, Wendell, MA. PLEASE RSVP by emailing: csqueen@outlook.com
Wednesday December 11, 6:30pm. CAN's Wildlands Campaign Meeting. Register HERE. Wildlands are tracts of any size and condition, permanently protected from development, in which management is explicitly intended to allow natural processes to prevail with “free will” and minimal human interference. Priority Wildlands for this campaign include land associated with water (headwaters, riparian zones of streams and rivers, wetlands, vernal pools, etc.), mature and old forests, wildlife corridors, areas with few or no invasive plants, and/or special species or habitats. Join Our Campaign to Protect Wildlands in Massachusetts
Stay strong folks, we'll get through this if you remember to listen to your Mother.
