Greetings Earthlings. Perhaps by the time you read this Summer Solstice will be behind us and S.2288/H.3549 and S.2287/H.3548 biomass bills will have come before a hearing in the MA Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. Who knows where the biomass issue goes from there? Susan Theberge working with the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition on the Springfield Zombie biomass monster join us to answer some burning questions. As usual, we will also have you meet this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains Were small, along with other "..of the Week" selections and the eternal reminder that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" but first it's time for..........Revenge of the Critters! Captured Croc crashes plane?
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is actually worse than a fool. Repugnican Senator Mike Lee of Utah is the subhuman MAGA bullshit artist who recently "....faced ridicule for calling the suspect of fatal shootings in Minnesota a “Marxist.” [it was obvious to all the shooter was 100% documented MAGA] “This is what happens ... When Marxists don’t get their way,” the Utah senator captioned a photo of alleged gunman Vance Boelter wearing a latex face mask. The Utah senator also shared another post of Boelter with the caption, “Nightmare on Waltz Street.” [referring to Dem Governor Waltz]. Did we mention Lee's effort to privatize our public lands?
In keeping with the above we have Repugnican Senator Bernie Moreno to thank for our Doublespeak of the Week on the same issue. Moreno posted on X the b.s. about the Minnesota shooter being a leftist: "The degree to which the extreme left has become radical, violent, and intolerant is both stunning and terrifying." Along with a another MAGA operative's photo of fake No King "fliers" looking for all the world like props fresh from the copy shop. Duplicitous doublespeak!
These lowlife MAGA fascists are, of course, all in with His Malignancy The Mad King who has been up to his usual egomaniacal machinations trying to establish a fascist "reality" show for himself in spite of the U.S. Constitution. Last week's #NoKings actions however said....Nah! in a big way. As he and his cosplaying Defense Secretary Hegseth were sending troops to DC for The Mad King's pathetic B-Day Parade and into LA, His Malignancy found time to "quietly slip a chainsaw into the Senate budget reconciliation bill. A very large, very destructive chainsaw — programmed to chew through 3.3 million acres of public land. That’s nearly the size of Connecticut." The podcast goes on to note: "... it was wrapped in the usual flaming garbage rhetoric about “freedom,” “streamlining,” and “cutting red tape,” which in this case translates directly to: handing public property to private developers while smiling for the cameras and blaming Joe Biden." And this from Inside Climate News: "The...administration has long touted the downsizing and elimination of national monuments, and a legal opinion from the Department of Justice argues that the president has the power to do that." Yes, The Mad King's so-called Department of Justice headed by snarling Cruella wannabee Pam Bondi. The Center for American Progress has been keeping track of His Malignancy's unconstitutional actions. It's a lot.
Enough doom scrolling, let's look for something lighter in our Critter of the Week. At d.o.'s place several species of Humming Birds visit the garden every year. They are a marvel. "Fifteen types of hummingbirds can be found living in the United States, along with nine vagrant species that occasionally wander inside our borders. Even though hummingbirds might weigh less than your pocket change, don't let their tiny size fool you! These small birds can be feisty and were even considered to be the reincarnations of warriors by the Aztecs" the American Bird Conservancy tells us. We could use some warrior birds these days but we guess we'd need a lot. That said, The NY Times informs us a lot were discovered recently together: "They are among the most aggressive birds in the avian kingdom. Their territorial fury is especially aimed at other hummingbirds. Competition over a patch of flowers or a mate often results in high-speed aerial chases, divebombing and beak jousting. So when Gustavo Cañas-Valle, an ornithologist and birding guide, stumbled across a cave full of hummingbirds nesting and roosting together in Ecuador’s High Andes, he could hardly believe it. “I thought, ‘This looks like a colony,’” Mr. Cañas-Valle said. He added, “They were like bees.” Perhaps there's a lesson in this for us humans?
It may be a stretch but is it possible those Humming Birds are aware that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" ? Over the years we've talked about the dangers of fossil fuels and ocean acidification in terms of natural carbon capture. That's why we are disturbed when we read this header on Inside Climate News: "The World’s Oceans Are a ‘Ticking Time Bomb,’ Reaching Dangerous Acidification Levels Earlier Than Scientists Thought." The piece went on: "A study, published in the journal Global Change Biology, found that ocean acidification—the process in which the world’s oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, becoming more acidic—crossed a “planetary boundary” five years ago.....Scientists had determined that ocean acidification enters this danger zone or crosses this planetary boundary when the amount of calcium carbonate—which allows marine organisms to develop shells—is less than 20 percent compared to pre-industrial levels. The new report puts the figure at about 17 percent." The oceans are the greatest source of natural carbon capture on the planet, by the way. As we always point out, forests and trees are also an important aspect to natural carbon capture. Will residents of the Commonwealth please take a moment to help out by clicking to sign a petition to state legislators to preserve state forests and to expand and preserve urban tree canopies across Massachusetts? Finally, it seems the Climate Crisis has opened the door to unfriendly fungus. Have you been watching "The Last of Us" ?
Remember when the Environmental Protection Agency actually protected? Now "Their Brains are small and, apparently They Died? Mother Jones has the story: "The... administration on Wednesday announced plans to rescind and postpone rules limiting “forever chemicals” in drinking water that were enacted under the Biden administration and designed to prevent millions of people from exposure to these persistent and dangerous contaminants. Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said the agency plans to issue new rules this fall that would repeal drinking water levels for four PFAS chemicals and delay the implementation of limits on two others.....New data shows that PFAS are found at more than 8,500 drinking water sources across all 50 states and Washington, DC. Recent research has found that PFAS in ocean waters can disrupt carbon cycles, increasing climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions." We guess the dinosaurs are back and ignoring the asteroid yet again.
In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we repeat with some shameless self-promotion what our friend Michael Kellett wrote in the Foreword of d.o's new book "It's the Trees": "As you read this lyrical and heartwarming ode to trees and forests, I hope you are reminded about how impoverished the world would be without them. Then, I hope you will take to heart the book’s passionate plea for doing something to preserve and restore trees and the forests of which they are a part." So, if you're looking for the perfect gift for some forest-loving friend or relation copies are available at Levellers Press or from Amazon. Happy Summer Solstice reading! O wait, would you also like to have some crushed ICE this Summer ? Go HERE. and for residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts go HERE.
Time for our Enviro Show Quote of the Week. Here's an appropriate one...
Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.
After our interview it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Fridays 4:30pm Stop the Coup Standouts on Rt. 2 Gill side of
Gill-Turners Falls bridge in WMass grow weekly. Bring your own signs & friends! AND: The Good Trouble
Democracy Brigade is holding protests every Friday
from 3 to 4 p.m. at the intersection of Route 116
and Sugarloaf Street in South Deerfield. AND Every Friday HANDS OFF OUR STUDENTS! Peaceful Visibility Standout, 4 pm – 5:30 p.m., Kendrick Park, [Cancelled for 6/6] Amherst: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/778646/ AND Every Friday Jewish Voice for Peace Weekly Northampton Standout.
4:00-5:30 p.m. at the Route 9 roundabout at the Northampton side of the
Coolidge Bridge. Join us in demanding a ceasefire & arms embargo.
Signs & banners provided. Park at the Norwottuck Rail Trail, 446
Damon Rd. Click here for access info.
Tuesdays, 4-6pm Hold banners, signs and flags, on I-91 overpass to show people that they are not alone -
and help give them the courage to join us and take a stand against the Coup & DOGE. Please make signs with very few words and very big and bold letters. Come even if you don't have a sign, we'll have plenty! Here's the link for more info and to register:https://mobilize.us/s/4Gq1hs We've
added this coming Sunday and Thursday, from 4-6 pm, at the
same location: the I-91 overpass at Mountain Park Rd, Holyoke.You can
sign up for Sunday or Thursday on Mobilize: Sunday 3/23, 3:30pm. - https://www.mobilize.us/
ALSO: Tuesdays 4-5pm. No Kings Weekly Vigil, Park Square, Elm and Main Streets (Route 20) Westfield, MA 01085 AND Tuesdays 3:30 – 5pm. 12 Mountain Dr. Overpass, Hatfield, MA 01038 AND Every Tuesday in Amherst. Stand out for Peace and Racial Justice (and immigrant justice, climate justice, etc.) – in Amherst. 4:00-4:30 P.M. Main Street and South Pleasant Street in front of the bank. Bringing positive action in troubling times.
Weekly on Tuesdays & Thursdays. The MA State House Stand Out is back in a new incarnation! This historic climate action lasted for 14 months and engaged hundreds of volunteers from across the climate movement. Volunteers are needed!The new version, lovingly referred to as Stand Out Two, happens at the Massachusetts State House between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This is a great way to participate in the climate movement with no risk
of arrest! Volunteers normally sign up for a 2 hour “shift." If you have questions about the Stand Out or would like to get a link to the sign-up sheet please contact organizers at fossilfuels.standout.ma@
Every Saturday. Geendfield Standout for a Ceasefire.. 11 a.m.-noon, On the green by Court Square.
Informal public hearings on OSHA's Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings proposed rule is scheduled to be held virtually continuing through July 2, 2025. Go HE RE.
Tuesday June 24, 6 pm. Action Hour to Stop Trump's Dirty Budget Bill Online -- join from wherever you are . In each Sierra Club Action Hour, you'll get the latest updates on Trump's destructive agenda and then take meaningful action against it in just one hour per month. Contact: Action Team hillary.larson@sierraclub.org
Wednesday June 25, 12:00 p.m. Join us on Wednesday at the State House while a climate bill is "heard" to tell Governor Healey and legislative leaders to lead with courage and put people first. As we face a week of scorching heat and federal support for climate action erodes, Massachusetts. Governor Maura Healey has introduced a new bill aimed at advancing clean energy and tackling rising energy costs. While there are promising ideas in the bill, it stops short of answering the most critical question: Is our energy future being built for the people — or for energy profits? Register to testify here (talking points coming soon). RSVP for our full Mass Power Forward Day of Action, starting at 12pm, here
Wednesday June 25, 12 to 1pm. Free Webinar. No Biomass! Invitation from Public Health Institute of Western Mass! "Fighting for Air" - Updates on the proposed biomass plant in Springfield, MA. Email pioneervalleyasthmacoalition@gmail.com or call: 413.794.7600
Wednesday June 25, 5 p.m. Notice of Project Change with a Phase One Waiver request (the “NPC”) filed on June 2nd
in connection with state environmental review of the renovation and
reuse of the existing Navy Hangar building on a privately
owned parcel adjacent to L.G. Hanscom Field’s North Airfield (the “Navy
Hangar Project”). The NPC is currently under review by regulators and
the public and is available for download here (from the ‘Attachments’
tab). Comments are due to the MEPA Office by July 11, 2025. Comments
may
be submitted by email to alexander.strysky@mass.gov or viathe MEPA
Public Comments Portal. This meeting will be available virtually..To
register for the Zoom link, please go to:https://bit.ly/hanscom-public-session-3
Wednesday June. 25, 6pm. Plastic People - The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics. Community Room, Forbes Library, Go HERE
Thursday June 26, Noon to 2pm. Disappeared in Massachusetts. Northampton City Hall, 210 Main St. Northampton, MA 01060. We will gather at City Hall. This is a silent protest, bearing witness to those taken by ICE. We will carry pictures of people "disappeared" in Massachusetts--1500 to date! We will process silently, and hand out flyers to raise awareness, encourage action, and help protect immigrants. No signs please. Bring a flower, and walk with us. Go HERE.
Saturday June 28, Noon-2pm Extreme Heat Preparedness Workshop. An informative and engaging session focused on equipping attendees with tips, tools, and strategies to manage and mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat. Participants will learn practical ways to stay cool, how heat impacts us, how to recognize signs of heat-related illnesses, how climate change effects extreme heat, and how to access local resources to protect themselves and their families. Go HERE.
Saturday June 28, 1pm. #MuskMustFall Global Day of Celebration - Sidewalk Protest and Dance Party, Hadley, MA. Public Sidewalks adjacent to Pride property. 25 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035. It's been a minute, but we are getting the band back together because even though Elon Musk is done at DOGE, we're just getting started. Elon is still deeply tied to the Trump regime, still fueling conspiracies and fascist rhetoric, and still using his immense wealth to warp government policy and buy elections around the globe. On June 28—Elon's birthday—let's celebrate everything we've achieved and recommit to the long fight still ahead. We'll have witty signs, dance music and maybe even cupcakes!!
Saturday June 28, 2 - 3:30pm. Immigrants Rights Rally. Greenfield Town Common & City Hallm steps. Speakers, music, information & STAND OUT! Speakers will include our MA State Senator Jo Comerford, John Miller (Wheaton College professor) and immigration advocates. How can you help our local immigrants? Who is here to advocate for them and how are they helping? Go HERE.
Monday June 30, 6 pm. [new date] Climate Action Now's Summer Solstice Outdoor Gathering. Find out what Climate Action Now is up to and how you can get involved! Pizza and community under the tent at the Elks Club in Florence
Tuesday July 1, 10am to 12pm. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) will host a public webinar to present its straw proposal for the Advancing Massachusetts Power (AMP) Energy Storage Grant Program. This $47 million grant program is intended to fund energy storage programs and projects that deliver system and societal benefits identified in DOER’s Charging Forward report... The primary purpose of the webinar is to share the straw proposal and to start to gather stakeholder input. Register HERE.
Wednesday July 2, 7pm. Immigrant and migrant justice is climate justice. From L.A. to NYC, assaults by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigrant and migrant communities are on the rise. Stop the Money Pipeline and our friends at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) invite you to join us for Part 3 of our Immigration Justice Must Be a Climate Fight, Too workshop series. Part 3 will focus on how to launch an ICE OUT! campaign in your community and how to be a line of defense for day laborers in your town or city.Go HERE.
Friday July 4, All Day. Please consider NOT protesting His Malignacy & MAGA on Independence Day. It could be construed as anti-American and infiltrated by agent provacs.
Sunday July 15 & July 22, 5-8 pm. Non-violent direct action training prepares people to make the choice to participate in a diversity of actions that aim to resist a current policy or situation. Taking the training does not obligate you to choose to risk arrest, and there are countless strategies of resistance and non-cooperation. With both instructional and experiential activities, participants will learn some of the history and approaches to non- violent actions, techniques for de-escalation and navigating hecklers, self-care, the role of power and privilege in this work, the use and purpose of affinity groups, including special roles, community building, and, how to prepare for an action whether it involves risking arrest or not. Please REGISTER HERE no later than July 12, 9:00 pm (Email heckysmith@gmail.com with any questions)
That's it folks except to remember to listen to your Mother.
