Blog Archive

Friday, October 25, 2024

The Don't Let Democracy Die Enviro Show

 

 [ Hear the entire show now HERE ]

Greetings Earthlings & Happy Halloween (or Samhain for you Pagan folk). So yes, there are monsters out there roaming about but we trust you'll hang with us....O wait, isn't that what Franklin said at the signing of the Declaration of Independence? Never mind, that's history but also when asked what we have at the close of the Continental Congress he said "A Republic, if you can keep it." So, how about we stay together, VOTE for the first woman president and rid the land of all the monsters trying to take over, OK? Wiccan priestess, Laura Wildman-Hanlon returns to the show to help us unearth the truth about Halloween. As always, we will also unmask our Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains Were Small and more but first it's time for.....Revenge of the Critters! SPIDERS ATTACK home wrecker.


This Halloween week our Fool-on-the-Hill is House Speaker Repugnican Mike Johnson who may seem nice to some but even Dracula was hospitable to victims before sinking his fangs into them.  Did you know Johnson was instrumental in the J6 Insurrection? Have you heard about his remarks concerning racist attacks by fellow Repugs in congress? Johnson is like a choirboy from Hell, all clean and shiny on the outside and dark & evil on the inside. Another very dangerous fool-on-the-Hill. 


We may as well stay with the monsters while we're at it. For our "Their Brains Were Small and They Died" segment we shine a spotlight on MAGA Freak Show operative Mike Davis. He's a legal activist dinosaur with a long record of doing all the wrong things (like helping pack the Supreme Court with Gorsuch & Kavanaugh) and unlike our Fool-on-the-Hill he looks the part.  "Referring to Trump’s illegal immigration policy that separated families, Davis declared, “We’re gonna put kids in cages. It’s gonna be glorious.” He routinely threatens to throw journalists into the 'gulag'....Davis has suggested that as “acting attorney general,” [in an imagined second reign of The Mad King] he will oversee a “three-week reign of terror” to indict Trump’s opponents and purge them from the federal government."  Guess who were the first victims in the Nazi concentration camps when Hitler took power? Political opponents. That said, most of those fascist dinosaurs are dead now. 


How about we stick the Doublespeak of the Week in here since we seem fixated on Nazis at the moment. His Malignancy is back with a whopper this time. He "called Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi each “an enemy from within,” even as the former president’s Republican allies attempt to argue that his previous comments labeling political opponents as such are being misinterpreted." Right, we agree because the REAL enemy from within is His Malignancy himself. OK?


In The Enviro Show Halloween Echo Chamber we repeat this from Common Dreams: "Facing tens of thousands of lawsuits after it acquired Monsanto, Bayer promised to remove cancer-linked glyphosate from its commercial Roundup weed killers by 2023. But an analysis published by Friends of the Earth ...reveals that the replacement is even more dangerous." Scary enough? We thought the FBI was busy tracking down J6 insurrectionists but look at this: "The FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Program Has a New Target: Animal Rights Activists. The agency urged meat industry groups to help the feds crack down on activists for potentially violating bioterrorism laws." Also this from the UMass Amherst torture chamber: "Monkeys Scared Awake on Your Dime: Take Action to Balance the Books" PETA reports: "University of Massachusetts–Amherst experimenter Agnès Lacreuse asked the National Institutes of Health for more than $400,000 in taxpayer money to conduct a pointless and cruel sleep deprivation experiment on tiny marmosets. She got it."  Tricks & Treats for torture? Take Action!  And finally this: "Watch: Visual Disgust After Trump Calls Violent January 6 Insurrection 'Day of Love' "If everyone in America watched this two-minute clip, Trump would go down in a landslide," said climate leader Bill McKIbben." It sounded like a Halloween Trick during a Harvard gig recently when our "Climate Chief" was asked about our forests. She said "some cultural changes needed to be made" but didn't really explain. FINALLY, Two Halloween Specials: Did you know Bats can sing?  And #2: Join the MA Sierra Club Forest Protection team as we submit public comments to the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Water Supply Protection (DCR-DWSP). For their fiscal year 2025, they have proposed cutting in 1,500 acres or more in state forests around the Quabbin, Ware, and Wachusett watersheds. In the face of linked climate and biodiversity crises, we believe public forests should be left standing for the greatest public good.  This link has all the information you need, including a link to the submission form. Comments are due October 31! HALLOWEEN 👻 


Of course His Malignancy is so off the rails he doesn't even know "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" but apparently the vast majority of young voters are aware. "..a poll published on Thursday in The Lancet Planetary Health,.. found that concerns about the climate crisis were impacting young people's decisions about their personal and public lives, with 52.3% saying they were "hesitant to have children" and 72.8% planning to vote for candidates who back ambitious climate policies." There goes the youth vote Your Malignancy. No treats for you. Back to the scary stuff with this headline from Common Dreams: " 'Terrifying': Leak Shows Industry Plot to Worsen Methane Emissions—If Trump Wins".  Of course, His Malignancy winning anything is terrifying in and of itself but the added ecological destruction of such a win? What a horror show. Better get out the vote! Here's a trick, the COP 29 follies. "COP29 Host's State Oil Company 'Aggressively' Ramping Up Fossil Fuel Production." Glen's screed on burning forests and loss of carbon reminds us about THIS :  "Delay of EU Deforestation Regulation may ‘be excuse to gut law,’ activists fear". We close with an Action Link for MA residents who oppose deforestation for corporate solar.  


Our Critter of the Week for Halloween is, of course, Black Cats. Truth be known, Black Cats are no different than most other in the Felis catus species but they have a long history when it comes to their relationship with us homo sapiens. "Beginning in the Middle Ages, black cats became associated with Satan, witches, and witchcraft; some people went so far as to believe that black cats were cohorts to witches or even witches who had taken on another form. This widespread superstition resulted in the horrific mass killing of black cats—and sometimes even their owners. Aside from continuing to represent all things eerie, the fear of black cats still has some influence today. Many animal shelters won’t place black cats in homes during the month of October for fear of them being used sacrificially." What does that tell us about how far we've come?


Time to lead up to our interview with the house witch with a special Quote of the Week:

“Samhain is considered by some to be the most important sabbat. This is because it represents the core experiences of the Craft: of traveling between the worlds, of experiencing death and rebirth, and of ultimately transcending both in the process; of not being afraid to face the darkness, or to think about that which we have lost; of not being afraid of the changes in our lives; of turning negative experiences into opportunities for learning.”

~ Jennifer Hunter in 21st Century Wicca: A Young Witch’s Guide to Living the Magical Life


 Following our interview it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:


Thursday November 7, 7 pm.   Hear from Dr. Matt Campen, who led a research team that found shockingly high levels of micro- and nanoplastics in the brain — especially in those of people who had died with dementia. The paper on their findings is currently in preprint.
A toxicologist and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico, Matt directs the New Mexico Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine. Feel free to share the event registration link (bit.ly/bpvg2024) with friends and advocates! 


Saturday, November 9, Noon - 2 pm.  Hear Dr. William R. Moomaw on why preservation of mature urban trees is so valuable in the face of climate change. Dr. Moomaw has devoted the last 20 years to helping develop better local, national and international understanding of the profoundly important role mature forests play in managing climate.  Some of you have heard Dr. Moomaw's excellent presentation on proforestry.  His focus on Saturday will be specifically on the role mature city trees play in helping mitigate the damaging effects of climate change, and why preservation of these stalwart urban climate defenders needs to be prioritized.   We would be delighted if you can join us at Trees for Watertown’s Annual Meeting at the Watertown Free Public Library,  123 Main St, .Watertown, MA 02472-4401 Link to Map.  This event is free and open to the public.  It can also be viewed on Zoom (preregistration required).  


Saturday November 9, 2pm. XR Boston will be participating in the Red Rebel International Day of Action in protest of COP 29's inevitable shortcomings, and to demand that our state government not wait for global leaders to set a better example of climate action. We'll meet at the Boston Public Garden entrance at the intersection of Arlington and Boylston streets, near the Arlington MBTA green line station. Together with the Red Rebel brigade, we will move through the Common as a funeral procession with die-ins along the way, to represent the lives lost because of the inaction of global leaders against the climate crisis. We invite you to wear funeral blacks. The rain date is Sunday November 10: RSVP for updates.


Sunday November 10, 7pm. Elizabeth Murray: JFK's Dream of Peace and its Lessons for Today.  Elizabeth Murray had a 27-year career in the U.S.government. She specialized in Middle Eastern political and media analysis. She has campaigned against the US wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria and worked for the release of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange, whom she visited personally while he was in London’s Ecuadorian Embassy. Elizabeth is a member of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) and the Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intelligence. In 2018 and 2024, Elizabeth was a passenger aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla ships Al-Awda and Handala, respectively. She speaks Arabic, German, and Spanish. For seven years Elizabeth served as Member-in-Residence at the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action in Poulsbo, Washington, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to nonviolent resistance against the Trident nuclear submarine system and other nuclear weapons.  Register HERE.  


Tuesday November 12-14, All Day. Rich Earth Summit. The Rich Earth Summit, hosted by Rich Earth Institute, is a global event dedicated to advancing urine reclamation to create sustainable and just nutrient cycles. This gathering brings together researchers, practitioners, and advocates to share knowledge and foster collaboration. Join us at the 10th annual Summit,  a golden opportunity to explore the transformative power of peecycling. Together, we can pee the change! Go HERE


Tuesday November 12, 7pm.  Forests for our Future: The Role of Massachusetts Forests in Combating Climate Change (Part III). Recently, we added climate stabilization to the list. Massachusetts is now legislatively committed to reaching “Net Zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  Forests are expected to put the “Net” into this “Net Zero” goal.  According to the legislation, forest carbon sequestration (sometimes called "negative emissions”) can be counted to offset up to 15% of the emissions reduction goal. Is this a good idea? Is it even possible? How can we influence forest’s ability to sequester and store carbon? Attend this free event in person at First Parish in Lincoln, 4 Bedford Rd, Lincoln, Mass., or online. Go HERE


Thursday November 14, 9am. Join us for an engaging meeting where we spotlight case studies of buildings here in Massachusetts that have successfully incorporated embodied carbon in design and construction. Discover innovative strategies and inspiring successes in tackling embodied carbon emissions. We’ll include an interactive survey, with a chance to share developments in your town. Help us help you make best practices scalable and replicable. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect, learn, and move towards a greener future! Register HERE.  


Thursday November 14, 12 – 1:30pm.  Taking Action to Confront Authoritarianism. We’ll continue exploring what actions that we, as elders, can take to push back against extremist attacks in our first post-election meeting.  


Saturday November. 16, 1—3:30 p.m., Great Hall of the Discovery Center, Great Falls (Turners Falls, MA) - The Nolumbeka Project presents the annual Full Beaver Moon Gathering with guest speaker Angela Marcellino, author of The True Natives of Cape Cod Massachusetts and their Food Ways. Raffle drawing. Free admission and all ages are welcome. For more information about the event visit nolumbekaproject.org. Meet in the Great Hall.


Sunday November 17, 2-4pm. A Post-Election FCCPR General Assembly at Guiding Star Grange  401 Chapman St Greenfield, MA. What should we be working on after the Presidential election? Please join us for a discussion on what to do - which might change depending on who wins the Presidential election.

 

Monday November 18 at 6 pm - 7:30 pm. Join the Non-Violent Direct Action training to learn about the many support roles (arrestable and non-arrestable) needed in NVDA and XRBoston  demonstrations. This training is for people who are interested in potentially doing civil disobedience as well as people who want to play support roles for our actions. We will cover some theory behind direct actions, discuss the logistics of arrest and potential legal implications, and talk about the many different roles (beyond risking arrest) that are crucial to successful actions. You will get to talk to a few people who have gone through the arrest process and ask questions you might have. You'll need to register to join the Zoom.  


Tuesday November 19,  4pm. Explore how we're conserving land for birds, from one acre to 10,000 — and how you can, too. You'll learn ways to minimize pesticide use in backyards and about how American Bird Conservancy is helping to do the same on agricultural land. Looking farther afield, you'll find out how ABC is improving critical bird habitat with landowners and public land managers in the Great Lakes, and our efforts to establish reserves with partners in Bolivia that benefit Endangered resident birds. RSVP Here 


Monday November 19, 5:30-7:30pm. Energy Fair. Cut your Heating costs! Get off fossil fuels! Learn about new programs and new incentives for all income levels! Finding the money to upgrade your home or car and get off of fossil fuels is very complex! Greening Greenfield offering an Energy Fair, to introduce the new programs and incentives for all income levels, and offer opportunities to meet people who can help and sign you up to get started. The Energy Fair will be held at the John Zon Community Center, 35 Pleasant Street, Greenfield, MA. Free Pizza will be served. To help organizers plan, pre-registration is encouraged by filling out this short Google Form: https://bit.ly/energyfair24 or by calling 413-774-5667.


Thursday November 28, 9am7pm.  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



OK  folks,   have a  happy  Halloween and  remember to listen to your Mother.

 

 

 

Saturday, October 12, 2024

A Children of the Northern Forest Enviro Show


[ Listen to the entire show HERE ]

Greetings Earthlings. Of course there's been a lot of talk lately about democracy being under threat here in the USofA and, on this show, we're always talking about threats to life on Earth. In his new book "Children of the Northern Forest" our guest,  Jamie Sayen asks "Why have our democratic institutions failed to address existential threats to life on Earth?" Good question. We'll look for the answer during the interview. As always we will also introduce you to this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and "Those Whose Brains Were Small" as well as our constant reminder that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid" and more but first it's time for.......Revenge of the Critters! Hippos And Lions gang up on poachers.


This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is yet another return engagement for MAGA Marge. This time Repugnican Marjorie Taylor Greene once again reaffirms her utter stupidity at a hearing on The Hill by stating, "People are not affecting climate change. You’re going to tell me that back in the Ice Age, how much taxes did people pay and how many changes did governments make to melt the ice?” We guess MTG fell asleep during World History class when the subject of the Ice Age came up?  The most recent ice age peaked between 24,000 and 21,000. Not much in the way of governments & taxes back then, Marge. Sorry.  😏


While we're on the subject of utter stupidity let's bring Repugnican Senator Dan Foreman of Idaho up for some ridicule. The AP reported: "Tensions rose during a bipartisan forum this week after an audience question about discrimination reportedly led an Idaho state senator to angrily tell a Native American candidate to “go back where you came from.” Trish Carter-Goodheart, the Democratic candidate Foreman attacked is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe. They're called Native Americans for a reason, Dan.


It's pretty much a safe bet to assume Dan Foreman is not moved when we remind him "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!".  Maybe he should read this op-ed from the New York Times? "As Hurricane Milton roars toward Florida’s west coast with winds that spiked to a staggering 180 miles per hour, we are witnessing a new reality. Supercharged hurricanes are no longer outliers, freak disasters or storms of the century. Fossil fuel pollution has made them a fixture of life around the world, and they are going to get worse — with millions of people in their cross hairs." Here's one for those who still doubt so-called global warming: "As Floridians raced to prepare for and escape the path of Hurricane Milton, an analysis published Monday showed that high sea-surface temperatures fueling the monstrous storm's rapid intensification were made between 400 and 800 times more likely by the climate crisis."  OK, how about this for a headline, Dan? "'The Fabric of Nature Is Unraveling,' Warns New Report on Wildlife Population Decline"    Meanwhile, down south "The world’s largest river is parched. The Amazon River, battered by back-to-back droughts fueled by climate change, is drying up, with some stretches of the mighty waterway dwindling to shallow pools only a few feet deep. Water levels along several sections of the Amazon River, which winds nearly 4,000 miles across South America, fell last month to their lowest level on record, according to figures from the Brazilian Geological Service." We wonder if this NY Times piece qualifies as good news? "What if financial markets treated trees like shareholders?" 


 Our efforts at transitioning to truly renewable clean energy came up against a shocker as The Enviro Show Echo Chamber encountered this last week: "Specifically, the 60-mile route from Stephentown, N.Y., to Northfield, Mass., tops a list of 10 potential National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors across the country. The U.S. Department of Energy, in releasing its list last month, says these corridors suffer from a weak transmission infrastructure, and that results in more frequent and longer power outages, along with higher electricity prices..... Eversource’s existing right of way is about 200 feet to 330 feet wide for its transmission lines. While the Department of Energy shows a corridor of a mile wide, that’s considered a 'rough approximation,' with the final route not yet mapped.."  That's "rough" alright, and not at all acceptable. Stay tuned for more on that. Also this Enviro Show Action Link calling on US Fish & Wildlife Block Endangered Black Rhino Trophy Imports, NOW! 


Our Critter of the Week is in serious trouble these days. Did you notice last summer how few Fireflies there were out there? These amazing critters bring wonder to children of all ages as they flit about the land on warm evenings.  Sadly, Fireflies are facing down a catastrophic wave of threats from all directions. They are suffering from man-made light & air pollution, climate change, and the effects of coastal development. Recently, for the first time ever, the United States is proposing to add a firefly to the endangered species list. The Bethany Beach Firefly is at risk of going extinct due to climate change, pollution, and coastal development. Other may soon follow. One thing to remember next summer? Turn out those floodlights!


And, our Doublespeak of the Week comes from His Malignancy as documented by MSNBC:[His Malignancy] "is often quick to claim that he will champion a group's causes and address their concerns, and then in the same breath disparage them for not supporting him more. He has used similar language when speaking to Jewish Americans, telling them he will be 'your defender, your protector,' while saying that Jewish people 'will have a lot to do with it' if he loses the election."  Maybe next time we'll report on The Mad King as a "protector of women"? It may be that His Malignancy is also The King of Doublespeak?


Finally, let's stick a Quote of the Week in here that's in keeping with our guest's new book and the Northern Forest:

“Deep down, at the molecular heart of life, the trees, and we are essentially identical.”

– Carl Sagan


After our interview with Jamie we head over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

 

Thursday, October 24, 1pm to 2:15pm.  Hitchcock Center for the Environment Building and Grounds Tour. 845 West Street, Amherst, MA  01002.    Amherst Neighbors is pleased to announce that its members are invited to a tour of the multiple award-winning building that is home to the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, located at 845 West Street, in Amherst. The Hitchcock Center for the Environment is home to the 23rd Certified Living Building in the world and the 4th in Massachusetts. The net zero energy building harvests and recycles its own water, uses composting toilets, and was constructed with responsibly sourced, nontoxic materials. It is a powerful teaching tool that supports a new approach to achieving environmental literacy in the 21st century.   


Thursday Oct 24, 56pm.  Virtual MA Sierra Club Water Team Meeting. Monthly chapter Water Team meeting to: 1) discuss water issues and actions at the national, state and local levels; 2) suggest water campaigns for the group to assess and pursue; 3) identify future education/advocacy speakers; and 4) enlist volunteer support. Go HERE.  



Thursday October 24, at 7 pm. No Coal No Gas campaign All Call. You can register here. Here’s where, despite it all, we can’t help but feel excited, and with good reason! We’ll share how we’ve discovered, in case after case across New England, that the retirement of fossil fuel peaker plants will free up valuable infrastructure that allows electricity to flow into the grid. 
 
 
 
Saturday October 26, 10AM1PM.  A Walden Walk to Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere.  Location: The Walden Woods Project Headquarters: 44 Baker Farm Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773.  Walkers will gather at The Walden Woods Project for a brief introduction about the organization, Walden Pond, and the importance of the campaign to Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere.  Go HERE


Saturday October 26, 11am - 1pm.   Join us for a walk and talk to learn more about the cultural history of the Montague Plains area and the Pine Barrens "restoration project"at Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area ( WMA) . The MWA covers 1,500 acres and is managed by the MA Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Montague Plains. Old Northfield Road. Parking area at the power lines 0.3 miles from the Lake Pleasant Road, Montague, MA  


Sunday, October 27, 10:30am.  Standing Trees' Annual Gathering! This year’s gathering will be held at the Ripton Community House, 1283 Rte 125, Ripton, VT.  We'll share updates on Standing Trees’ forest protection work, there will be plenty of time for discussion, and we’ll celebrate our first-ever award recipient. An optional 2-mile hike along easy terrain will follow our meeting to a nearby old-growth forest area. All activities will conclude no later than 5pm.  Please RSVP by filling out this form so we can plan accordingly, and let us know if you are willing to bring a dish to share. If you have trouble using the form, you can also send an email to: m.a.nelson@live.com.
 
 
 
Sunday October 27, 1 pm New Moon in the Valley's Pagan public celebration at the UMass Sun Wheel, Rocky Hill Road (next to the stadium).  Along with acknowledging our ancestors and the season, in the spirit of community, we will be collecting non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for the Amherst Survival Center. Searching for community & connections with fellow Pagans? Go HERE


Monday October 28, 5 – 6pm. Save Franklin Park's Trees! Community Standout. White Stadium, 450 Walnut Ave, Boston, MA 02130.  City officials are considering cutting down up to 140 trees in Franklin Park to build an enormous professional sports and entertainment complex at White Stadium. Not in our park! Join us to speak out against the city’s misguided privatization plan and ask state officials to provide much-needed independent review. We want a truly-public renovation of White Stadium that meets the needs of Boston students without destroying essential green space, privatizing Franklin Park, and shutting out the public. [Feel free to bring signs and dress up in costumes that show your support for Franklin Park's trees and natural environment. Kids and families are welcome!]   RSVP HERE   


Monday, October 28, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. MassDOT will be hosting an open house at the Greenfield Public Library to provide updates on a Plan and receive public comments and questions following the formal presentation. The MassDOT National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Deployment Plan will strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and will establish an interconnected network to facilitate reliability across Massachusetts as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s NEVI Formula Program. Massachusetts will receive significant federal funding over five years to support the construction and operation of Direct-Current Fast Charging stations along major highway corridors as designated by the Federal Highway Administration. For more information on the proposed Deployment Plan, click here


Monday October 28, 7-8:30. Climate Action Now Monthly Gathering pm via Zoom. Protecting Wildlands in our Communities. The detailed resources and mapping in the Wildlands in New England report offer a tremendous opportunity to identify and protect Wildlands in all of our communities. Massachusetts is predominantly forested (~60%), yet just 2% of the Commonwealth is documented with permanent or temporary intent as a Wildland. We need more recognized and protected Wildlands! Learn about an exciting new collaborative project and find out how you can get involved!  Register here 


Tuesday October 29, 4 -  5pm.  WEBINAR: Singers in the Dark: Conserving the Mysterious Whip-poor-will and Other Nightjars.  The Whip-poor-will is a member of the nightjar family, birds known for their haunting songs and nocturnal habits. Like the Whip-poor-will, other nightjars like the Chuck-will’s-widow and the Common Nighthawk are also declining due to habitat loss and pesticide use, among other human-caused threats. RSVP HERE.  


Tuesday October 29, 6pm. Virtual Public Meeting - Conservation Law Foundation Petition. MassDEP will hold a public meeting in response to a petition filed by the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) for Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to initiate one or more rulemaking proceedings to promulgate new and amended regulations to Implement the Global Warming Solutions Act, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy and An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind (“2022 Energy Law”). Go HERE.  



Tuesday November 12, 7pm.  Forests for our Future: The Role of Massachusetts Forests in Combating Climate Change (Part III). Recently, we added climate stabilization to the list. Massachusetts is now legislatively committed to reaching “Net Zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  Forests are expected to put the “Net” into this “Net Zero” goal.  According to the legislation, forest carbon sequestration (sometimes called "negative emissions”) can be counted to offset up to 15% of the emissions reduction goal. Is this a good idea? Is it even possible? How can we influence forest’s ability to sequester and store carbon? Attend this free event in person at First Parish in Lincoln, 4 Bedford Rd, Lincoln, Mass., or online. Go HERE.


That's all folks.......except to remember to listen to your Mother



 

 

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Yet Another CT River Enviro Show

                                                       [ Listen to the entire show HERE]

Greetings Earthlings. Have you heard about stranded Shortnose Sturgeon by the dam at Great Falls (aka. Turners Falls, MA) ?  These ancient federally listed Endangered Species have been getting abused along this part on the Connecticut River seemingly forever. If it turns out they exist north of the dam (which is being studied as we speak) then the Sturgeon are further threatened by FirstLight's "shad-o-matic fish blender" (aka, Northfield Mountain Pump Station) which is in the process of getting a new operating license for.....are you ready?...50 years!  That sucks....literally! It sucks untold number of tiny aquatic creatures, egg, yolk-sac larvae, fry, and juvenile fish, and more through grinding turbines, up hill to a man-made reservoir and back down through the turbines again to generate power. It seems to us, that's no place for an Endangered Species much less any other life form. FYI, there will be a public DEP Hearing on October 10 at 6pm at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls, MA. All Out!  Priscilla Lynch and Gary Seldon of Connecticut River Defenders join us for the interview.  As always, we will also introduce you to this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains Were small  among other things but first it's time for...........Revenge of the Critters! It's said an Elephant never forgets. Poachers beware, Another of our Poachers get poached specials. 


This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is probably a redo given that Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy has a long history of showboating and making flagrant racist remarks. Most recently in a Senate hearing he began questioning of Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute by accusing her of supporting Hamas. "After more back and forth along those lines with Kennedy again accusing her of supporting Hamas and making unconfirmed allegations against [a] Palestinian relief agency, he told Berry, 'You should hide your head in a bag'. Kennedy’s comments were despicable and hypocritical but not unexpected. The hypocrisy comes in Kennedy virtue signaling that he’s concerned with terrorism when Kennedy himself is a vocal supporter of Trump who incited the Jan 6 act of “domestic terrorism”—as the FBI has designated that attack.  And Kennedy both peddled election lies that fueled that terrorist attack and was one of only eight senators to vote to overturn the 2020 election after the mob was driven from the Capitol. Kennedy apparently has no issues with terrorism when it’s in pursuit of GOP power." Another dangerous Repugnican fool on The Hill.


Of course Sen. Foghorn Leghorn Kennedy will never admit "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!"  Here in the so-called Commonwealth of Massachusetts we wonder if many of those on Beacon Hill and in the Gov's offices are willing to act on it as well. < Click on that one! Thousands of folks in New York City gathered for Climate WeekThis year, Climate Week NYC was held from September 22-29. The event takes place every year in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and is run in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York for what that's worth.  Not everyone was pleased.  Meanwhile in the real world, largest deforestation undertaking in the world has begun. "A total of 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of forests, wetlands and grasslands in Merauke district will be razed to make way for a cluster of giant sugarcane plantations, part of the Indonesian government’s efforts to boost domestic sugar production."  Do we rally need more sugar?? This at a time when EU nations are starting to address deforestation but getting resistance from the USA and other climate criminals. "The uproar underscores the bruising difficulties of making progress on a problem that most everyone agrees is urgent: protecting the world’s population from devastating climate change." Finally, here's a Mother Jones headline we like: "Kamala Harris Framed Climate Action as a Patriotic Duty. New Research Shows Why That’s Effective." We better get more effective 'cuz according to a recent study in the journal Nature Geoscience we can expect a future with even more extreme weather in the next few years.


Guess who is making another appearance for "Their Brains Were Small and They Died"? That would be "big, dumb & slow" North Carolina Repug candidate for Gov. Mark Robinson who, this time, "apparently fancies himself a Black Nazi who would like to own slaves of his own." Even though his prints are all over it, he denies he wrote those words. We're thinking his words are his own personal giant asteroid. 💥 BTW, the Atlantic reports: "Much of his senior staff has resigned, and the Trump campaign is reportedly distancing itself from Robinson, although Donald Trump’s endorsement of Robinson still stands." And, There is plenty of footage of the twonstanding together. As Rachel Maddow said on Tuesday, September 24 Robinson is "cartoonishly offensive". True enough, but way worse.  


In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we echo what  op-ed writer Matt Barron penned in both The Greenfield Recorder & the Daily Hampshire Gazzette titled "legislators toe the line against overdue audit". We had State Auditor DiZoglio on our last show talking about the need for some sunshine on Beacon Hill. What's with all the push back? Could it be minions of the sorry status quo?  



Sadly, it looks like more Backslidin' with Biden this time in the wake of his recent UN speech which on most accounts was an impressive swan song. That said, his comment "the U.S. was on track to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, in line with its Paris agreement commitment"was a bit of.....well. blarney.  Say it ain;t so, Joe! That said, here's a NYT headline for a sobering thought: "Biden Boasts of Climate Wins and Warns of Reversals Under Trump".



We're not sure if this one qualifies for "Their Brains were Small" or Double Speak of the Week. You decide:  "Microsoft announces plan to reopen Three Mile Island nuclear power plant to support AI" 🤯 We guess that's why they call it artificial intelligence. 


How about we stick with the "of the Week" theme and move on to The Critter of the Week? Given the theme of this show it makes sense to have the Shortnose Sturgeon as our subject. We are told the earliest remains of the species are from the Late Cretaceous Period, over 70 million years ago. In other words, they were here long before us and actually survived the aforementioned Giant Meteorite. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tell us:"Unlike Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon tend to spend relatively little time in the ocean. When they do enter marine waters, they generally stay close to shore. In the spring, adults move far upstream and away from saltwater to spawn." That brings us to the Rock Dam below the Great Falls dam on the CT River, an important spawning ground for the Sturgeon. We will talk about that in the interview. The Rock Dam is not protected as it should be. Far too many anglers and recreation buffs have been present there during the spawning season and far too little water has been released from the dam at the critical times of spawning in the spring.


May as well go to The Enviro Show Quote of the Week now: 

What is a fish without a river? What is a bird without a tree to nest in? What is an Endangered Species Act without any enforcement mechanism to ensure their habitat is protected? It is nothing.

- Jay Inslee


After our interview with Gary and Priscilla it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:


 Wednesday October16, 6pm.  Training Series: Media Support (Online): Join this online training beginning to learn about messaging: target, demand, imagery, and communication. Useful for anyone involved in XR or other organizations!


Wednesday Oct 16, 7:00pm. FCCPR General Assembly Welcomes State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to the Guiding Star Grange 401 Chapman St Greenfield, MA.  Question 1, Authorization of State Auditor to Audit General Court Initiative. A "yes" vote supports explicitly authorizing the state auditor to audit the accounts, programs, activities, and functions of all departments, offices, commissions, institutions, and activities of the state legislature and any authorities or districts created by the state legislature. Join us in a conversation with State Auditor Diana DiZoglio [ as heard on this show ] about how our State legislature functions (or doesn't function) and what we can do about it.  


Thursday  October 17–23.  Join former Vice President Al Gore and Climate Reality for a virtual climate leadership training and get the skills, know-how, and network to protect our democracy and build a thriving clean energy future for America. Go HERE.  


Friday Oct 18, 1pm. Air, Land, Rock, Water: An Overview of Carbon Dioxide Removal Pathways. The world is navigating the necessary transition away from polluting fuels toward clean energy, but many scientists believe we must also work to remove climate pollution that has already been dumped into the atmosphere. That’s known as carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The call for CDR is only growing stronger as new analyses find that we’re not on track to meet the Paris Agreement targets. In this second webinar of a six-part series, experts will provide an overview of the primary ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere, both natural and engineered. These include direct air capture, soil carbon management, afforestation, biochar, ocean CDR, biomass carbon removal and storage, and enhanced rock weathering. Go HERE.   


Saturday October 19, 10 to 11:30am. Accessible Nature Walk. Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is located at69 Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA. You will need to enter Moody Bridge Road from Bay Road and drive in .8 mi. (The South Maple Street entrance to Moody Bridge Road doesn’t go all the way through.). Ample parking is available.


Sunday  October 20, 1 to 3 p.m Wendell State Forest Alliance members and friends are invited to the Green Field Coop’s community room, 170 Main Street, Greenfield, MA  for an in-person gathering and book swap. Go HERE.  


Monday Oct 21, 7:30pm. Save the 100yr. Old Arlington Pine! This might be the last meeting at the Community Center, 27 Maple Street where the ARB is reviewing the plan for 821 Mass Ave which will determine  the tree's fate. Of course, if you could help spread the word and tell your friends and family to do the same - and sign the petition if they did not yet (https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-centennial-scottish-pine-from-being-destroyed.html) - it would be great! Contact: marinap4arl@gmail.com  


Monday October 21, 8 - 9:30pm.  Break Big Biomass - A National Call To Action. Virtual event. Burning forests as fuel in power plants is not a climate solution. Learn about the forest, community health, and biodiversity harms of biomass. All happening under the guise of clean energy. Take action to break big biomass. Go HERE.   


Thursday, October 24, 1pm to 2:15pm.  Hitchcock Center for the Environment Building and Grounds Tour. 845 West Street, Amherst, MA  01002.    Amherst Neighbors is pleased to announce that its members are invited to a tour of the multiple award-winning building that is home to the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, located at 845 West Street, in Amherst. The Hitchcock Center for the Environment is home to the 23rd Certified Living Building in the world and the 4th in Massachusetts. The net zero energy building harvests and recycles its own water, uses composting toilets, and was constructed with responsibly sourced, nontoxic materials. It is a powerful teaching tool that supports a new approach to achieving environmental literacy in the 21st century.   
 
 
Thursday October 24, at 7 pm. No Coal No Gas campaign All Call. You can register here. Here’s where, despite it all, we can’t help but feel excited, and with good reason! We’ll share how we’ve discovered, in case after case across New England, that the retirement of fossil fuel peaker plants will free up valuable infrastructure that allows electricity to flow into the grid. 
 
 
Saturday October 26, 11am - 1pm.   Join us for a walk and talk to learn more about the cultural history of the Montague Plains area and the Pine Barrens "restoration project"at Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area ( WMA) . The MWA covers 1,500 acres and is managed by the MA Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Montague Plains. Old Northfield Road. Parking area at the power lines 0.3 miles from the Lake Pleasant Road, Montague, MA  


Monday October 28, 7-8:30. Climate Action Now Monthly Gathering pm via Zoom. Protecting Wildlands in our Communities. The detailed resources and mapping in the Wildlands in New England report offer a tremendous opportunity to identify and protect Wildlands in all of our communities. Massachusetts is predominantly forested (~60%), yet just 2% of the Commonwealth is documented with permanent or temporary intent as a Wildland. We need more recognized and protected Wildlands! Learn about an exciting new collaborative project and find out how you can get involved!  Register here


Tuesday November 12, 7pm.  Forests for our Future: The Role of Massachusetts Forests in Combating Climate Change (Part III). Recently, we added climate stabilization to the list. Massachusetts is now legislatively committed to reaching “Net Zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  Forests are expected to put the “Net” into this “Net Zero” goal.  According to the legislation, forest carbon sequestration (sometimes called "negative emissions”) can be counted to offset up to 15% of the emissions reduction goal. Is this a good idea? Is it even possible? How can we influence forest’s ability to sequester and store carbon? Attend this free event in person at First Parish in Lincoln, 4 Bedford Rd, Lincoln, Mass., or online. Go HERE.


That's all folks.......except to remember to listen to your Mother