Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Monday, September 14, 2026
A Voting Matters Enviro Show
[ The podcast for the show is HERE ]
Greetings Earthlings. The recent primaries reminds us of the importance of voting, especially in these troubled times. Here in Massachusetts a shifty undesirable Dem tried to unseat our longtime anti-fascist enviro hero Sen. Ed Markey claiming he was too old. Thanks to smart voters the challenger was pushed back. Closer to home here in WMass' 1st Franklin District House race we were fortunate to have Lora Wondolowski win over a former aide to an unresponsive State House Rep known for a lack of support on forest and other environmental related issues. Lora, on the other hand worked for national groups like the National Audubon Society, League of Conservation Voters & The Peace Development Fund. Lora seems responsive to her constituents, a welcomed change out here. She joins us for the interview. As always, we will introduce you to this week's Fool-on-the-Hill, Those Whose Braind Were small, Who Left the Door Open? and more but first it's time for......Revenge of the Critters! Caribou
hunter's birthday surprise!
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is back again and worse than ever. We couldn't decide whether or not to label this one as our Doublespeak of the Week because Repugnican Speaker of the House and anti-Christ choirboy from Hell, Mike Johnson has claimed in a public speech that the loyal opposition are "The Barbarians inside the gate". Being one of the key engineers of the deadly J6 insurrection in which the crazed MAGA mob literally crashed the gates of the U.S. Capitol the comment sounds.....um....hypocritical? It gets worse. During that public speech at the Repugnican Mid-term "Convention" Johnson flat-out said the Repugs will not seat Dems who win the November election on the January 3rd swearing in session. His Malignancy himself said Repugs "must go out and cheat like Hell". They are worse than fools. They are traitors.
Our Doublespeak of the Week could be a doublespeak of the years 'cuz it reaches back to a time when it was common for Repugs to refer to Dems as "Haters." This was recently revived by Veep Vance at the sketchy two-day Repugnican Midterm "Convention". Back in April of 2025 rightwing political activist Larry Elder spelled it out in the headline of an op-ed : "Democrats, the ‘party of hate’." Also, last year a YouTube commentator came up with a piece titled: "Top 20 Celeb Trump Haters" which adds more fuel to the fakery implicit in the so-called "Trump derangement syndrome". In true MAGA doublespeak the derangement is within their own ranks and so is the hate. It is so obvious in nearly everything they do from ICE violence & torture to hundreds of thousands of deaths due to Trump's USAID shutdown to this: "In 2024, MAGA Republicans were more likely than others to endorse political violence and attributes associated with political violence". They called Dems "haters" because they practice what's called Psychological Projection. Fascism is built on hatred. They are the true haters.
On the brighter side we have this note in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber forwarded from our friend Laurel of the Wendell State Forest Alliance following up on our The Walk for a New Dawn shows : "It's been almost a month [but now there's a] finished a video narrative of
our walk. Hopefully just in time to get some folks engaged
in the No Deal to Repeal campaign.
Training notes HERE". https://youtu.be/B3OI-KcQj1I?
Back to the ongoing horror show in DC as we ask, "Who Left the Door Open" for MAGA freakshow Interior Secretary Doug Burgum? Gutting the agency itself at taxpayers expense appears to be his thing: "New records obtained by POLITICO shed light on the cost of the “deferred resignation” program and other initiatives by [the] President to downsize the federal workforce at the department. When Trump swept into office in 2025, his so-called Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech mogul Elon Musk, sought to use Silicon Valley-style tactics to make quick cuts to the federal workforce. Close to 1,500 staffers, most of them senior level, who left the Office of the Secretary in 2025 were paid not to work for days — even months — after agreeing to resign later.....Aaron Weiss, of the Center for Western Priorities, argued that the cost of paid leave for the staff in the secretary’s office was excessive. He compared it to the struggling renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been managed by Interior and cost more than $16 million. Burgum’s track record [as Governor of] North Dakota has demonstrated a clear allegiance to the fossil fuel industry at the expense of environmental protection. His policies have consistently undermined climate progress, promoted unchecked oil and gas expansion, and ignored the need for meaningful conservation efforts. Entrusting him with the stewardship of our endangered and threatened species and public lands poses a serious threat to these species and places. Also, isn't it time we all pushed back on all of His Malignancy's vanity projects?
We feel compelled to remind MAGA operatives like Burgum that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" In fact, "Earth cooked to its hottest month on record in August, blowing far past a key climate threshold, due to the dangerous double whammy of human-caused climate change and a supersized El Nino, according to the European climate service Copernicus." Furthermore, "While El Nino is starting to ramp up the heat, the underlying driver remains our relentless burning of fossil fuels. Climate change makes every El Nino hotter, and until we stop burning coal, oil, and gas these record-shattering months will simply keep on coming," said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London." Naturally, such data makes us wonder why humans continue destroying natural solutions to climate chaos like say, forests and street trees? Pushback HERE! Or, why end protection of water? "The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers issued a supplemental proposal on September 4 that would narrow the legal definition of “waters of the United States,” the phrase that determines which streams, wetlands and other waterways receive federal protection under the Clean Water Act." Gosh, would that include "Lake America"?
Our Quote of the Week is all about voting:
“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and
more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious
day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last
and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
― On Politics: A Carnival of Buncombe
After our conversation with Lora 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. ALSO:
Friday July 24, 4 to 5pm. Indivisible West Quabbin's Wisdom Way Bridge Visibility Brigade Rte I-91 every 4th Friday. Overpass standout located on Wisdom Way, Greenfield, MA. For more information or to sign up go to Mobilize or contact westquabbinindivisible@gmail.com . Saturdays, 11am to 1pm: No Fear w/Street Theatre, Burlington ICE Facility, Burlington Mall Rd. @ District Ave., Burlington, MA Go HERE
Saturday September 19 to October 4. The Women's Walk for Water. The Constitution Pipeline’s planned route in 2016 was approximately 124
miles from Susquehanna County, PA, to Schoharie County, NY, crossing 250
waterways. The pipeline would impact
water quality from dredging, erosion, sedimentation, and changes in
turbidity, among other impacts, also endangering sensitive streams,
trout, and other habitats. Go HERE.
Tuesday September 22, 6pm. Somerville Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Somerville, MA. Join us for a lively evening of theater to celebrate the Autumnal
Equinox and find possibility in a time of climate crisis. The Climate
Crisis Cabaret (CCC) will premiere several new short works, including: Battle for the Future of the Earth. The Fossil Fuel Gang v Earth Warriors! Mayhem! Music! And a vision of possibility. Cacophony / Harmony
A theatrical mosaic of provocative climate change speeches—facing reality and inspiring hope. Free! Family-friendly! Visit the CCC website!
Tuesday Sept 22, 7:30pm. (Doors Open at 6:30pm) "Defending Democracy and Defeating Toxic Tribalism" with former Congressman Adam Kinzinger— six-term House of Representative Congressman, Air Force Veteran, and New York Times best-selling author. Springfield Symphony Hall, Springfield, MA. Go HERE.
Wednesday September 23, All day. The Western MA delegation is again hosting this regular protest at the ICE Detention Center Protest, 10 District Ave, Burlington, MA. Carpooling and bus tickets available for sale. Information: email MsPWilliams007@gmail.com
Wednesday September 23, 1pm. "the entire environmental movement" [?] will rally on the steps of our State House to tell our legislators what we want in the 2026 Energy Affordability legislation. Please join us! A show of force will really help deliver lower heating and electric bills, lower carbon emissions and deliver environmental equity across MA. We will also hand deliver our petition, with 1,500 of your signatures, to the members of the Conference Committee. Please register here so we know who is coming: https://350mass.
Wednesday, September 23, 6 to 9pm. 101 course’ in siting and permitting: each will provide a basic introduction to 225 CMR 29.00 - regulations for the siting and permitting of small clean energy infrastructure facilities – and other essential information that they will need to know as the regulations come into full force on October 1. In person at the Belchertown Town Hall, 1 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007 (See above)
Wednesday September 23, 6 - 7:45pm. UMass Science Stories: Microplastics. Katharine R. Nugent Community Room at Hadley Public Library, Hadley, MA. Workshop for Teens & Adults. Science Cafe: Microplastics: From Source to Solutions, with PhD students Julie Sentman and Ian Eggleston. Microplastics are small, but their impact is big. Free pizza and drinks provided! To register for this event - either as an in-person or a virtual attendee - event, click here. Hosted by Science Stories, UMass Grad Student Science Communication since 2011
Wednesday, September 23, 6:30-8:30 pm. What's On Your Ballot? Learn About Ballot Questions 3, 5, and 7. Northampton High School Auditorium, 380 Elm Street, Northampton, MA. Join us for a panel presentation on three questions appearing on the November ballot. There will be two presenters representing opposing views for each ballot question. Register for the event: RSVP here Northampton Open Media will live-stream the event if you can't make it. Check their website for the link that evening or, to watch later, within a few days of the event. NOM will simulcasts with Easthampton, Deerfield, Sunderland, Greenfield, Athol, Orange, Hadley, and Granby. To Submit a Question for a panelist in advance, please use this link.
Thursday September 24, 6 - 8 p.m. Climate Week NYC Documentary Screening:
River Restoration & Climate Resilience. The Bronx, New York. The Henry L. & Grace Doherty Institute for Climate & Resilience at Save the Sound invites you to celebrate Climate Week NYC by joining us for a documentary screening with our partners at the Bronx River Alliance! We will start with a tour of their LEED certified building, River House, followed by a screening of Save the Sound’s documentary, Reconnected, on river restoration and dam removal. After the screening, we will have a panel Q&A with expert practitioners to discuss the intersection of river restoration and climate resilience. Learn more.
River Restoration & Climate Resilience. The Bronx, New York. The Henry L. & Grace Doherty Institute for Climate & Resilience at Save the Sound invites you to celebrate Climate Week NYC by joining us for a documentary screening with our partners at the Bronx River Alliance! We will start with a tour of their LEED certified building, River House, followed by a screening of Save the Sound’s documentary, Reconnected, on river restoration and dam removal. After the screening, we will have a panel Q&A with expert practitioners to discuss the intersection of river restoration and climate resilience. Learn more.
Thursday September 24, 6:30 to 8pm. Community Conversation with State Senator Jo Comerford. Indivisible North Quabbin invites you to join us for a Community Conversation with State Senator Jo Comerford. Sen. Comerford's district covers Franklin, Hampshire and parts of Worcester County. Sen. Comerford will talk about issues that affect the residents of this area. Please come, listen and learn. A time for questions will follow Sen. Comerford's presentation. This event is at Fisher Hill School (Media Center) at 59 Dexter St. in Orange, MA
Saturday, September 26, All Day. Standing Trees Annual Gathering on National Public Lands Day. ***Please note: This event is free of charge, but an RSVP is required to help us with planning for hikes and meals.*** Each fall, the Standing Trees community gathers to celebrate our
volunteers, supporters, partners, and the hard work that goes into
keeping our public lands wild! On National
Public Lands Day, Saturday Sept 26th, we'll gather in the shadow of the
lofty Sandwich Range in beautiful Wonalancet, New Hampshire, for a day
of hiking, trail work, presentations, awards, food, and...most
importantly...great company among friends of wild places. Go HERE.
Saturday September 26, 10:30am. Stop the Madness in Washington. Enough of criminal
wars, genocide,
and the enormous
profits flowing
to war
contractors and
oil companies.’
Enough of policies that are devastating communities at home and abroad—from Iran, Palestine, Venezuela and Cuba to our own neighborhoods. Enough to the power of the Israel lobby over our lives. Enough to the growing power of billionaires and powerful institutions to shape both our politics and the boundaries of public debate. We insist that human needs, peace, justice, democracy, and a livable planet be placed ahead of endless war and corporate profit. Big E Fair, West Springfield. Gather at 175 Memorial Dr, W Springfield Sign up to join W Springfield protest.
Sunday September 27, 1:30-3:30. Casting Away Fear; Building Shelter for All: A New Year's Gathering for Immigration Justice at the Groff Park Pavilion in Amherst. The event is open to all who share our concerns about how our immigrant neighbors' lives are being torn apart. As
in past gatherings, we will include ritual, stories and songs that
focus on immigration justice. The event will include a short walk to the
Mill River for a Tashlich ceremony where we will cast away fear and
commit ourselves to justice and building a welcoming community. Registration is encouraged so we can get a sense of numbers, but not required. Register at tinyurl.com/tashlich-
Monday, September 28, 6pm on Zoom. Exit Strategies: Contesting the Future of Capitalism. Feinberg Series Plenary Panel with Jeanelle K. Hope, Tristan Hughes, and Clara E. Mattei. The planet is facing extinction. The causes of the coming catastrophe are as contested as the visions of the future. Some far-right thinkers and tech billionaires want to escape the current world order for techno-feudal and authoritarian enclaves, while some scholars and organizers are seeking anticapitalist and antiauthoritarian alternatives that could ensure the survival of all humanity, not just the rich. The Feinberg Series’s opening event will trace the development of these conflicting diagnoses of what’s wrong with capitalism
Read more about the Feinberg Series: www.umass.edu/feinberg
Tuesday September 29, 5:30—potluck. 6-7:30: Interactive Program. Climate Action Now Fall Gathering. "Nurturing biodiversity in a time of ecological chaos" at the Arcadia Center in Easthampton. Go HERE.
Wednesday September 30, 8am to 10am. Mark your calendars for a protest! UMass-Lowell, New
Eng. Governors Host Pro-Nuke Summit/ Meehan
Student Center, 100 Meehan Way (220 Pawtucket St.), Lowell, MA
01854. Come from far and wide! Bring
spirited songs, banners,
theater, educational materials, and our commitment to
nonviolence. The federal
government has opened the spigots full blast for taxpayer
funding of nuclear
power. Let’s help the New England governors resist the
seduction of that
tainted money! This from the National Governors
Association: "New
England Regional Nuclear Policy Summit, an opportunity for the
New England
public to learn more about advanced nuclear energy. Speakers
on a range of
topics, including Safety, Community Engagement, State Actions,
Regional
Benefits, and Advanced Nuclear Use Cases." Here is their registration link
if you want to get
a seat inside or attend by zoom.
Wednesday September 30, 11am. A state public hearing in the Town Hall Auditorium at the Belchertown Town Hall, 2 Jabish Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. Virtual attendance is also available via Zoom (registration required; link provided HERE). The state public hearing will take place regarding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA) proposal to increase water withdrawals from the Quabbin Reservoir. The Proposal: The MWRA has applied for state approval under the Interbasin Transfer Act to withdraw an additional 20 million gallons of water per day (MGD) from the Quabbin Reservoir. This represents roughly a 10% increase in total daily withdrawals to support expansion into additional eastern Massachusetts communities.This specific hearing focuses on donor-basin impacts in Western Massachusetts, evaluating how increased withdrawals will affect: * Local aquatic ecosystems, fisheries, and streamflows * Reservoir water levels and regional drought resilience * Recreational access and donor-region infrastructure.
Wednesday September 30, 6 to 9pm. 101 course’ in siting and permitting: each will provide a basic introduction to 225 CMR 29.00 - regulations for the siting and permitting of small clean energy infrastructure facilities – and other essential information that they will need to know as the regulations come into full force on October 1. In person at the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, 12 Olive St, Bill Allen Meeting Room, Greenfield, MA 01301 (See above for details)
Thursday October 1, 10am-6pm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a virtual public hearing to provide the public the opportunity to present comments and information regarding the Agency’s proposed Repeal of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Standards for Fossil Fuel-fired Electric Generating Units (EGUs). This action will provide long-term relief to fossil fuel-fired EGUs from GHG emission standards issued under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111. The EPA is proposing this action on three distinct bases. The last day to pre-register is September 29, 2026. Please submit a separate registration form for each person attending or speaking. You will receive an email from GHG-EGU-Public-Hearing@rti.org with your unique connection information.
Saturday October 3, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Join the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter, Wendell State Forest Alliance, and Standing Trees on a guided fall hike to the renowned Elder Grove in Mohawk Trail State Forest. This grove of old growth trees contains some of the tallest white pines in the Northeast, most exceeding 160 feet in height. The hike will be on a trail that follows the Deerfield River and offers sublime views of the forest and river valley. If cancelled on October 3rd, the event will be rescheduled to October 4th, same time. Go HERE.
Thursday October 8, 7pm. A film screening of Old Growth Forests: Nature’s Biotic Pump at Patagonia Cambridge (39 Brattle St. Cambridge). Doors open at 7pm with pizza (including vegan) and seltzers. The Sierra Club Massachusetts Forest Protection Team will have information available about local and National forest advocacy. The 50 minute film will be followed by a ½ hour panel discussion and Q&A session. RSVP here. All are welcome
Saturday October 10 & Sunday October 11, Noon: HONK Festival & 11:30 HONK Parade with Boston XR. (See links)
Monday October 12, 10am. (Opening Service at 8:45 Hope Church 16 Gaylord St Amherst Ma.). Interfaith Peace Walk remembering Paki Wieland and Frances Crowe, honoring Indigenous Peoples. 9 (8.7) miles on Rt. 9. [Following the service] at 10 AM Starting at the common our first stop is the Hampshire Mosque 451 Russell St, continuing along Rt. 9 to First Congregational Church of Hadley on Middle st. Then across the river and onto the Meetinghouse 43 Center St. We will have a program featuring State Senator Comerford, former AFSC director. We are going to be honoring our teachers Paki Wieland and Frances Crowe. Then we will share some potluck food (light fare) and after the program have a silent (Quaker style) service at the meeting house. Possibly around 5pm.
For more information please contact Eric Wasileski: ericwasileski@gmail.com 413.557.4536
Saturday October 17, 1 to 3pm. Pulaski Park, Main Street, Northampton, MA. Go HERE No Kings: Vote Early is the next step of reclaiming our power after a year of mass mobilizations. It's not a protest. It's a day of nonpartisan voter participation, being in community with each other, and making sure every eligible voter has a plan, knows their options, and is ready to make their voice count. Get ready! Mark Your Calendar! National Page: Go HERE.
Wednesday October 21, 1pm. Advancing Science on Pesticides,Taking Action in Harmony with Nature, and Sustaining Life. This webinar brings us into conversation with the science—made simple—that we need to use as a tool for advancing changes required for a livable future. The failure of decision makers and policymakers to respond to the seriousness of the current pesticide-induced threats continues at our peril. The science, if widely discussed and understood, provides the impetus to adopt sustainable practices that are available to us. Go HERE.
Monday October 26, 12:30pm. The Healey-Driscoll Administration will be hosting a public listening session on energy facility siting in Shutesbury. Shutesbury Public Library, located at 66 Leverett Road, Shutesbury, MA 01072. This
will be an opportunity for community members to share their
perspectives with administration leaders, ask questions, and learn more
about the new energy facility siting law. Please save the date. We hope
to see you there! For additional information, please contact the Climate Office, climate.office@mass.gov.
See you next time BUT don't forget to listen to your Mother!
Friday, August 28, 2026
A "Dump the Pump" Enviro Show
[ Listen to the show HERE ]
Greetings Earthlings. You've probably heard some of our past shows concerning the ongoing destruction of the Connecticut River by the corporados who pump vast amounts of water and all the aquatic life within it through turbins up into the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage pool. Juxtapose that with Connecticut River Defenders who have been pushing back against such madness for awhile now and are now thinking amphibiously. Priscilla Lynch and Terisa Turner join us for that. As always, we will also introduce you to this week's Fool-on-the-Hill, Those Whose Brains Were small, Who Left the Door Open and way more but first it's time for........Revenge of the Critters! Tables turned on a fisherman Down Under.
First we have Breaking News! #NoKings 4 has been called for Saturday October 17. See calendar post below for more but mark your calendar today, OK? Go HERE.
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is a high profile Dem in the House who recently stepped in it: "...it was reported that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met secretly in recent weeks with Jared Kushner, the far-right son-in-law of [the] President, who has also served as a top White House advisor and envoy. The New York Times reported Sunday that the two men “met privately in recent weeks” in order to discuss “potential areas of common ground” if the Democrats regain control of one or both chambers of Congress in the midterms." Common ground??
Our Doublespeak of the Week may set the record for Great Moments in Irony: "The spring of 2025 brought a rush of Trump-themed currency bills. Representative Joe Wilson, a Republican of South Carolina, proposed creating a new $250 bill bearing Trump's portrait, calling it a tribute to his "transformational leadership." Transformational indeed, Joe but not at all as you meant.
Last time we awarded the entire MAGA b.s. show in DC with our "Who Left the Door Open" segment and this week we'll do it again as they "Flood the Zone" with their never ending septic spew. Exhibit #1 US Congressman Greg Casar on Thursday repeated his call for the.. administration to close the immigration detention center in southern Texas where it’s held thousands of children over the past 18 months—children, the progressive Democrat said, who “should be playing soccer, going to school, living their lives, not being arrested on the streets,” as one of the center’s newest detainees, 5-year-old Liam Tadeo, was earlier this week." Then we have this: "A coalition of two dozen Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit on Wednesday challenging [the Administration's] attempt to use the US Postal Service as a vehicle for [its] assault on mail-in voting, which [it] has targeted incessantly during both.. White House terms." And the Sierra Club informed us last week: "Our undeveloped national forests are the heart of our public land. But now one of the most important -- and most underappreciated -- conservation policies is on the verge of being cut by [the White House]. If the Roadless Area Conservation Rule is repealed, 45 million acres of pristine national forests across the country would be opened up for the first time in over 20 years to road building and the logging, mining, and extractive industries that come with that." Pushback!
His Malignancy's budget director Russell Vought and his boss get "Their Brains Were small and They Died" this week for having "cancelled billions of dollars for hundreds of clean energy grants, "based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient's state." Not based on merit. Not the public good. Just politics, targeting states that voted for Democrats in 2024.....now, with his own Project 2025 as a guide, Vought is using federal grantmaking to punish Americans for how their neighbors voted, while similar projects in Republican-led states moved forward. Send a message to your U.S. Representative: Impeach Russell Vought. These dinos need to evolve away from lower brain stem bullshit and get a life.
Speaking of reptilian brains, we note how obsessed The Mad King (#NoKings) is with plastering his name and likeness over most everything. It's embarrassing (though not to him) what a fool he makes of himself. Case in point: He "has been trying for months to slap his name on the Kennedy Center. But a federal judge stopped him. So now his people are trying something even crazier -- threatening to demolish the Kennedy Center if his plans are not approved." Nah! Or this: "...administration sycophants are reportedly stripping [African-American] Pearl Harbor hero Doris “Dorie” Miller’s name from an upcoming aircraft carrier -- and naming it after His Malignancy instead. Yes, they are trying to name an aircraft carrier for the man who just left an aircraft carrier (The Lincoln) in a war zone, dangerously short of essential supplies, and then mocked its exhausted sailors by suggesting they should remain at sea even longer." Last winter "A banner featuring a photo of [His Malignancy] and the words “Make America Safe Again” was hung from the Justice Department’s headquarters in Washington... in one of the most public signs of the president’s influence over a department that once brought criminal charges against him...The Justice Department has traditionally operated with a degree of independence from the White House." George Orwell should have lived to see it. Of course, there's always more pathetic vanity with this guy.
We have Breaking News! This just in on Saturday morning: "The Trump administration looks to give a piece of Yosemite National Park to a developer." There go more of the family jewels. Reading on: The "administration has proposed trading away a small parcel of land in Yosemite National Park in California so a private developer can gain access to the park, according to federal officials and documents reviewed by The New York Times. The potential deal has alarmed conservationists and former National Park Service officials, who say that Yosemite, the crown jewel of the nation’s park system, should be off limits to development.' " Ya' think?? At the same time these fools steal the jewels they are also busy undermining the agency that's supposed to protect them.
Closer to home in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we find His Malignancy's Memory Hole Mobiles we reported about in July may be headed to the Big E, September 18 – October 4, right here in the CT River Valley? Yup, unless we do something about it, that is. Indivisible Northampton posted this in their recent newsletter:
Stop "The Freedom 250 Truck" From Coming to The Big E!
This
Trumpian project promotes Christian Nationalist American history and
it's coming to The Big E. It's a big truck exhibit promoting false
history and ideas.
Activist pushback canceled it elsewhere, including Westfield - Let's do it again!
Previously we asked people to express their opposition by calling The Big E at 413 737-2443 or emailing info@TheBigE.com.
Now
we're working to cancel the truck visit by asking folks to contact The
Big E sponsors and tell them why it's problematic and to have it
canceled.
The Big E sponsors' contacts are below as well as scripts for email and phone calls (personalizable). Please contact them soon, before The Big E starts.
Meanwhile, over in Northampton: "As neighboring city and town governments weigh whether to ban artificial
intelligence (AI) data centers, the Northampton City Council is
considering creating a committee to study the issue and draft a
municipal policy on the controversial facilities." Truth be known, AI is taking heat for any number of reasons, its drain on energy and water supplies being foremost. Stay tuned.
And speaking of energy and water, did someone say "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" ? As for water, the New York Times came out with a feature recently exposing our disregard for one of the very critical elements that sustain us. Meanwhile, Axios has come up with a deep dive into heat and the grid. They highlight: "The big picture: Climate
change is extending periods of extreme heat just as electrification and
data centers add new loads, leaving parts of the grid working harder
for longer." There's AI again, maybe not so intelligent after all. As for extreme heat how about this for a header: "Why
one highway exploded this summer — and why many more are at risk." Reading further we find: "The
stretch of U.S. Highway 69 kept expanding in the extreme heat
until it exploded, creating a sharp, two-foot-tall ramp where it
broke at the pavement joint. Most of the traffic in this
Dallas exurb drove around it. But
then a black pickup hit the ramp... sending the
truck airborne, “Dukes of Hazzard”-style, flying several feet in
the air and slamming down on its front tires."
This seems like just the right opportunity to introduce our Critter of the Week, the Greater Roadrunner or Geococcyx californianus. Audubon informs us: "The most famous bird in the southwest, featured in folklore and
cartoons, known by its long tail and expressive crest. The Roadrunner
walks and runs on the ground, flying only when necessary. It can run 15
miles per hour, probably with much faster spurts when chasing a
fast-running lizard or other prey. Its prowess as a rattlesnake fighter
has been much exaggerated, but it does eat a remarkable variety of
smaller creatures." Presumably the Greater Roadrunner has enough sense to stay away from exploding roads and hungry Coyotes.
Time for a Quote of the Week to lead us into this week's interview:
“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.”
―
After our conversation with Priscilla and Terisa 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. ALSO:
Friday July 24, 4 to 5pm. Indivisible West Quabbin's Wisdom Way Bridge Visibility Brigade Rte I-91 every 4th Friday. Overpass standout located on Wisdom Way, Greenfield, MA. For more information or to sign up go to Mobilize or contact westquabbinindivisible@gmail.com . Saturdays, 11am to 1pm: No Fear w/Street Theatre, Burlington ICE Facility, Burlington Mall Rd. @ District Ave., Burlington, MA Go HERE
Wednesday September 16, 8am to 9am. SPJE’s Billionaire Standout. A casual opportunity to greet your fellow billionaires as they drive into Hanscom and drive up carbon emissions with their private jets! Fake champagne & caviar (and real refreshments) will be provided for your pleasure. Kindly RSVP here.
Wednesday September 16, 12p.m. Virtual Town Hall: Turning Out Environmental Voters in 2026. Join NRDC Action Fund staff for a special virtual town hall about how we
will work to flip the U.S. House of Representatives to a
pro-environment majority and shift power in Congress in the upcoming
midterm elections, and how you can help. Be sure to come with your
questions.
Go HERE.
Wednesday, September 16, 6:30pm.
- Doors open at 6pm. Attend Training in Person - People Power Drives
Effective Government. Bombyx, 130 Pine Street, Florence, MA. State
Senator Jo Comerford offers a legislative advocacy 101 talk/training
for engaging with state government about issues that matter. She will
share examples of strategic advocacy on issues such as arts, education,
and civil liberties, and will discuss organizing for regional equity.
There will be time for questions, discussion, and feedback. Free Tickets
HERE. |
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Thursday September 17, 11am. – 12pm. Climate Resiliency and Emergency Preparedness for Private Wells. This
free, one-hour webinar is intended for private well owners, water
professionals, public health officials, and other stakeholders
interested in protecting private water systems. As climate change
increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, it's
essential to understand how these changes can impact private wells and
groundwater quality. Go HERE.
September 17, 12 to 1:30pm. MA DPU siting and permitting webinar: The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) invites you to join a Siting & Permitting 101: Large Clean Energy
Infrastructure Projects webinar. This
virtual webinar is intended for municipal officials, regional planning
agencies and community-based organizations interested in learning about
the Energy Facilities Siting Board’s (EFSB) new consolidated permit
process for large clean energy infrastructure projects. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link for the webinar.
Thursday September 17, 2pm. Join We Build Progress and the Deliver My Vote Education Fund/Voter ProtectionAdvocate Network to learn about tools you can use right now at our free, virtual briefing “Protect Your Vote,
Thursday September 17, 6:30 - 8pm. Join us for a screening of a brand-new 30-minute film about the
importance of the Forest Service's 2001 Roadless Rule, and a virtual
public hearing on the future of New England's National Forest Roadless
Areas! We'll explore the special landscapes protected by the Roadless
Rule, the current threat posed by the Trump Administration, and provide
an opportunity for you to submit comments to the Forest Service before
the comment deadline on September 21. Online - we'll send a zoom link after you register!
Saturday September 19, 1:30 - 4:00 pm. (rain date: Sunday 9/20) "Get a Jump on 'Dump the Pump' - An Event on Land & Water." CT River Defenders action calling you & yours. Flotilla! on the river –. at the Riverview Picnic
Area, 144 Pine Meadow Rd., Northfield, MA. The site of FirstLight Energy’s Ecocide
and brutal Desecration of the Connecticut River. The event welcomes
paddlers and land enthusiasts to join in solidarity on the land and on
the water. In addition there will be a free picnic, music and arts.
Boating, Food, Sharing…“Celebrate the
Rights of the River“ with the Connecticut River
Defenders! Contact HERE.
Saturday September 19, 10am. RiverFest
is an annual fall community event in partnership with several arts,
culture, historical, and environmental groups that takes place along the
Westfield River in Cummington. The Westfield River is the Cummington
Cultural District’s backyard, flowing behind the buildings and houses
that line Main Street, our celebrated rural arts destination. Go HERE.
Saturday September 19, 2pm. Extinction Rebellion U.S. (XRUS) All-Chapter Gathering. As we head into September and ever more extreme weather, it's a good time to be finalizing plans for Fall Rebellion. Why not do it in the company of other rebels from around the country? If you haven't already done so, please register for the September All-Chapter Gathering at the link HERE.
Saturday September 19 to October 4. The Women's Walk for Water. The Constitution Pipeline’s planned route in 2016 was approximately 124
miles from Susquehanna County, PA, to Schoharie County, NY, crossing 250
waterways. The pipeline would impact
water quality from dredging, erosion, sedimentation, and changes in
turbidity, among other impacts, also endangering sensitive streams,
trout, and other habitats. Go HERE.
Monday September 21, 5pm. Public Comment Opportunity: Constitution Pipeline
Comment deadline! Gas entering the interstate system at Wright would move east through
existing infrastructure toward Massachusetts, including the Tennessee
Gas Pipeline system that crosses Berkshire County. The project was
proposed alongside other pipeline expansions intended to increase gas
capacity into New England. How do I comment? Use BEAT's Comment Guide. More BEAT Gas Pipelines & Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Campaign.
Monday September 21. Public Comment deadline on overturning the Roadless Rule. One of our partner organizations, Environment America, has set up this
website that will quickly take you through the steps to sign on to an
existing comment letter that will be submitted to USDA/USFS and to your
congressional representatives: https://saveroadlessforests.com/
Or comment here: https://www.federalregister.
Or here: https://www.regulations.gov/
The full DEIS is here.
Tuesday September 22, 6pm. Somerville Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Somerville, MA. Join us for a lively evening of theater to celebrate the Autumnal
Equinox and find possibility in a time of climate crisis. The Climate
Crisis Cabaret (CCC) will premiere several new short works, including: Battle for the Future of the Earth. The Fossil Fuel Gang v Earth Warriors! Mayhem! Music! And a vision of possibility. Cacophony / Harmony
A theatrical mosaic of provocative climate change speeches—facing reality and inspiring hope. Free! Family-friendly! Visit the CCC website!
Tuesday Sept 22, 7:30pm. (Doors Open at 6:30pm) "Defending Democracy and Defeating Toxic Tribalism" with former Congressman Adam Kinzinger— six-term House of Representative Congressman, Air Force Veteran, and New York Times best-selling author. Springfield Symphony Hall, Springfield, MA. Go HERE.
Wednesday September 23, All day. The Western MA delegation is again hosting this regular protest at the ICE Detention Center Protest, 10 District Ave, Burlington, MA. Carpooling and bus tickets available for sale. Information: email MsPWilliams007@gmail.com
Wednesday, September 23, 6 to 9pm. 101 course’ in siting and permitting: each will provide a basic introduction to 225 CMR 29.00 - regulations for the siting and permitting of small clean energy infrastructure facilities – and other essential information that they will need to know as the regulations come into full force on October 1. In person at the Belchertown Town Hall, 1 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007 (See above)
Thursday September 24, 6 - 8 p.m. Climate Week NYC Documentary Screening:
River Restoration & Climate Resilience. The Bronx, New York. The Henry L. & Grace Doherty Institute for Climate & Resilience at Save the Sound invites you to celebrate Climate Week NYC by joining us for a documentary screening with our partners at the Bronx River Alliance! We will start with a tour of their LEED certified building, River House, followed by a screening of Save the Sound’s documentary, Reconnected, on river restoration and dam removal. After the screening, we will have a panel Q&A with expert practitioners to discuss the intersection of river restoration and climate resilience. Learn more.
River Restoration & Climate Resilience. The Bronx, New York. The Henry L. & Grace Doherty Institute for Climate & Resilience at Save the Sound invites you to celebrate Climate Week NYC by joining us for a documentary screening with our partners at the Bronx River Alliance! We will start with a tour of their LEED certified building, River House, followed by a screening of Save the Sound’s documentary, Reconnected, on river restoration and dam removal. After the screening, we will have a panel Q&A with expert practitioners to discuss the intersection of river restoration and climate resilience. Learn more.
Saturday, September 26, All Day. Standing Trees Annual Gathering on National Public Lands Day. ***Please note: This event is free of charge, but an RSVP is required to help us with planning for hikes and meals.*** Each fall, the Standing Trees community gathers to celebrate our
volunteers, supporters, partners, and the hard work that goes into
keeping our public lands wild! On National
Public Lands Day, Saturday Sept 26th, we'll gather in the shadow of the
lofty Sandwich Range in beautiful Wonalancet, New Hampshire, for a day
of hiking, trail work, presentations, awards, food, and...most
importantly...great company among friends of wild places. Go HERE.
Sunday September 27, 1:30-3:30. Casting Away Fear; Building Shelter for All: A New Year's Gathering for Immigration Justice at the Groff Park Pavilion in Amherst. The event is open to all who share our concerns about how our immigrant neighbors' lives are being torn apart. As
in past gatherings, we will include ritual, stories and songs that
focus on immigration justice. The event will include a short walk to the
Mill River for a Tashlich ceremony where we will cast away fear and
commit ourselves to justice and building a welcoming community. Registration is encouraged so we can get a sense of numbers, but not required. Register at tinyurl.com/tashlich-
Tuesday September 29, 5:30—potluck. 6-7:30: Interactive Program. Climate Action Now Fall Gathering. "Nurturing biodiversity in a time of ecological chaos" at the Arcadia Center in Easthampton. Go HERE.
Wednesday September 30, TBA. Mark your calendars for a potential protest!
Governor Healey is hosting a NE governors conference to promote new nuclear as "affordable" yet, those efficiencies have yet to be demonstrated at the scale necessary to establish a competitive commercial industry. She is still calling for the repeal Chapter 503. The governors gathering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy is focused on “safeguarding our collective energy future through advancement of a diverse energy strategy that includes nuclear power.” "UMass Lowell also worked with the Healey administration, starting last fall to develop advanced nuclear and fusion energy roadmaps to guide the state’s consideration of the technologies." STAY TUNED.
Wednesday September 30, 6 to 9pm. 101 course’ in siting and permitting: each will provide a basic introduction to 225 CMR 29.00 - regulations for the siting and permitting of small clean energy infrastructure facilities – and other essential information that they will need to know as the regulations come into full force on October 1. In person at the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, 12 Olive St, Bill Allen Meeting Room, Greenfield, MA 01301 (See above for details)
Saturday October 10 & Sunday October 11, Noon: HONK Festival & 11:30 HONK Parade with Boston XR. (See links)
Saturday October 17, 11am. Pulaski Park, Main Street, Northampton, MA. Go HERE
No Kings: Vote Early is the next step of reclaiming our power after a year of mass mobilizations. It's not a protest. It's a day of nonpartisan voter participation, being in community with each other, and making sure every eligible voter has a plan, knows their options, and is ready to make their voice count. Get ready! Mark Your Calendar! National Page: Go HERE.
Monday October 26, 12:30pm. The Healey-Driscoll Administration will be hosting a public listening session on energy facility siting in Shutesbury. Shutesbury Public Library, located at 66 Leverett Road, Shutesbury, MA 01072. This
will be an opportunity for community members to share their
perspectives with administration leaders, ask questions, and learn more
about the new energy facility siting law. Please save the date. We hope
to see you there! For additional information, please contact the Climate Office, climate.office@mass.gov.
OK for now BUT don't forget to listen to your Mother!
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