Greetings Earthlings & Happy Spring Equinox which takes place between March 19-22 in the Northern Hemisphere. Ostara will not be pleased that the U.S. Forest Service's ‘timber target’ decisions (their words not ours) is putting the climate at risk, undermining Biden's critical climate goals, and violating federal law. Surprise! That according to the Southern Environmental Law Center (and why would we doubt it given USFS' sorry history). Patrick Hunter, Managing Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center joins us to talk about SELC's new, first-of-its-kind lawsuit. If you'd like to comment on the proposed logging in the Green Mountain National Forest just over the MA border go HERE. As always, we will also bring you this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and "Those Whose Brains Were Small.." as well as The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and more, but first it's time for.......Revenge of the Critters! Do Not mistreat Camels, OK?
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is Tennessee Repugnican Rep. Mark Green who, while still a fool for MAGA b.s., no longer can handle all the other Fools-on-the-Hill. Daily Kos quotes Green: "There's also just the frustration of trying to get something done here.This place is so broken, and making a difference here is just, you know, just it feels like a lot of something for nothing." Green is a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, which has played a central role in fomenting dysfunction on Capitol Hill." A Fool-on-the-Hill who can't stand the Fools-on-the-Hill.
Since we're going on about bad actors here how about going directly to our "Their Brains Were Small and They Died" segment? Did we do private jet owners here yet? If so, let's do it again! A Guardian report from November revealed that "200 private jet owners released over 415,000 metric tons of climate-heating carbon dioxide between January 2022 and September 22, 2023, which is the equivalent of what would be released by nearly 40,000 British residents from all of their activities. The richest 1% of the world's population currently generate as much carbon emissions as two-thirds of the planet." Sooooo, if you are among the 99% go HERE to protest the proposed Hanscom airfield expansion here in Massachusetts.
So much negativity. How about we begin our Climate Crisis segment with some good news instead of screaming at everyone that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" ? If you live in, or visit Medell'in Colombia you may have noticed "New plant-filled curb strips, squares, parks, vertical gardens and
sidewalks have led to dramatic drop of two degrees Celsius across the city.... And as the city expands its green corridors
program, officials expect a further decrease of four to five degrees
over the next few decades, even taking into account climate change." OK, stick a pin in that one city dwellers, on to the bad news: "S.E.C. Approves New Climate Rules Far Weaker Than Originally Proposed - The rules, designed to inform investors of business risks from climate change, were rolled back amid opposition from the G.O.P., fossil fuel producers, farmers and others" reports the New York Times. Also from the Times: "Rains Are Scarce in the Amazon. Instead, Megafires Are Raging." Their rainy season never came. Sound familiar? It's called climate chaos. Again, the Times: "Winter was
weirdly warm for half the world’s population, driven in many places by
the burning of fossil fuels, according to an analysis of temperature
data from hundreds of locations worldwide." And from The Daily Mail in the UK (not exactly the New York Times) this: "The Arctic could be mostly ice-free in just 10 years - and it means intense heatwaves will plague Earth". Lots of visuals and links there for actual science. In closing we have an Action Link: Here's the link for the letter to Gov. Healey opposing the plan to strip local control over energy siting - solar, battery, infrastructure and deforestation for corporate solar.
Meanwhile, over in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we remind everyone that March 21 is International Day of Forests. Hopefully enviro groups won't just use it as a fundraiser? How about some real action to mark the day? And, we replay a Must See video on biomass from the UK to North America, it was recommended by our friends at the Partnership for Policy Integrity. Sadly, we have to report the sighting of a Biomass Zombie here in the Commonwealth. If you visit the site above there are action links for you to pushback the Zombie. Individuals can contact their own MA legislators with this message: "Massachusetts
ratepayers should not fund burning trees for energy. Please ask the TUE committee not
to include sections 8 or 22 of H.3216 in any legislation going
forward. Instead, please incorporate the policies of S.2136 /H.3210 and
S.2137/H.3211 into the Committee’s climate legislation." If your Rep or State Senator doesn't know about the issue just tell them "Biomass is a Biomess! Also this from the Wisconsin Examiner regarding what may be illegal logging in an old-growth area on public land recently brought to our attention by Environment America. This appears to be in defiance of an Executive Order from the White House. And finally this, with another anniversary of the meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuke in PA coming up on March 28 the Clamshell Alliance says "Nukes are STILL the wrong answer"
With that in mind let's go to our Enviro Show Quote of the Week:
“We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.”
— Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation
After our visit with Patrick Hunter we go to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Tuesday March 19, 6:45am & pm. The public is invited to celebrate the day of the equinox, Tuesday March 19, marking the end of winter and beginning of spring at the UMass Sunwheel while viewing sunrise and sunset among the standing stones of the Sunwheel. During the evening session, there will also be an opportunity to enjoy telescopic views of the sun and moon, weather permitting. Directions to the Sunwheel.
Tuesday March 19, 10am. Webinar: Emergency of Genetically Engineered Trees For Indigenous Peoples. Go HERE.
Tuesday March 19, 3:00-4:30pm. Rally for Horseshoe Crabs! Mass Audubon and its supporters have fought for decades to secure stronger protections for horseshoe crabs. Horseshoe crab advocates from around the state will gather with our president, David J. O’Neill, and members of the media for a rally, remarks, and light refreshments. Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary 345 Bone Hill Road Barnstable, MA 02367
Wednesday March 20, 6-8pm: Forest Service public open-house for the Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project. Barstow Memorial School, 223 Chittenden Road, Chittenden, VT (in person-only)
Wednesday March 20, 7:00-7:30pm. Virtual forum to learn more about the $6M artificial turf project and to request
city leadership to acquire bids for a more affordable, safer and
environmentally friendly, natural grass option for Roosevelt
Park/Salemwood Park, Malden MA.
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/ 4bpyZEbtBRox7cVm8 or send an email to friendsofrooseveltparkmalden@ gmail.com for the Zoom link.
Thursday March 21, 3pm. Please join the Center for Biological Diversity, Food & Water Watch, Institute for Policy Studies, WE ACT, and more for a rally outside the U.S. Forest Service headquarters in Washington, DC to demand: no climate scams on federal lands! (We even have a brand-new banner to debut and some signs for people to hold!) U.S. Forest Service headquarters at 201 14th St. S.W. (the red brick building at the corner of 14th Street and Independence Ave)
Saturday March 23, All Day. Fix the Grid Community Summit. Please register now for our summit on Saturday, March 23rd in Southern NH. If you already registered for November, your ticket is still valid. I’ll be reaching out separately to ask you to confirm or withdraw your registration.
Saturday March 23, 1- 3p.m. The City of Boston is organizing a volunteer clean-up at Mattahunt Woods. This clean-up will include City staff and community members, who will work together to remove trash, weeds, and other debris from the natural area. They will also share information about the Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild Restoration Project in advance of the project’s construction, which will begin later this spring. Please see the event page (linked here) for more information about suggested attire and the meeting location. You can sign up through the event page or this link.
Monday March 25, 6:30pm. "Water Cools the Planet" 2nd Congregational Church, Court Square, Greenfield. Part 1 on the film "Regenerating Life."
A beautiful documentary film offering fascinating insights into the
role of water and plants in nurturing and balancing our climate and life
on earth. Learn new pathways to restore biodiversity and our climate.
Film showing with discussion following.
Monday March 25, 7 to 8:30pm. Climate Action Now Virtual Monthly Gathering. War and the Climate Crisis: Escalating Impacts. Presenters: Ramón Mejía. Anti-Militarism National Organizer at Grassroots Global Justice Alliance ,
Ramon enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 18 to support his family and
took part in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. Ramon supports people
who are organizing to dismantle systems of violence and to build
healthy, thriving communities. Register HERE.
Tuesday March 26 All Day. The situation is simple. On March 26, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about access to Mifepristone. This will be the first major case to go in front of the GOP-compromised SCOTUS since Dobbs, and there are more to come. 1,000 people have already committed to putting their bodies on the line to stop this in any way we can. We have marched, and now it is time to escalate. Go HERE.
Tuesday March 26 4-5pm. Artificial Turf meeting. We will have Ravi Simon from Rep Gentile's office in attendance/ on the agenda. If you have agenda items or specific asks for this meeting please send them to ecolaunch.org@gmail.com by Saturday 3/16/24. SUB: 3/26 agenda item.
Tuesday March 26, 5 to 6pm. Protecting Public Science: How to Strengthen Scientific Integrity in Government People across the United States rely on federal science to ensure our water is drinkable, our air is clean, and our medicines are safe and effective. We must make sure that Congress passes the Scientific Integrity Act so that federal agencies are safe from the political attacks that undermine our public health and environmental protections.
Wednesday March 27, 6:30 to 8pm.
Large Battery Storage Systems & Solar Fields - What Are the Issues.
Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol, MA.
Speakers + Q&A.
Sunday April 7, 10:30am to Noon. Prof. William Moomaw one of the Earth's major FOREST scientists, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize on Storage of Carbon by Forest Trees speaking at the Greenfield All SOULS Unitarian Meeting House, 99 Main Street, across from the Post Office & New Library, at intersection of Main and Hope Streets. Free parking on Street, PO, Library on Sundays.
Thursday April 11,(TBA) Join Washington Post Live for a compelling and high-powered summit with policymakers, innovators and civic leaders examining the tipping points at this critical moment. Watch Live: wapo.st/climateapril11 . Humanity is entering a new climate era. The peril and promise of record-breaking temperatures, unprecedented investments in clean energy and a growing public recognition of the effects of global warming are shaping the future of the planet. Register HERE.
Saturday April 20 All Day (Rain Date April 21) Solar Rollers Earth Day River Ride. Bicycle ride from Greenfield, MA to Northfield, MA with stops along the way and a Rally at the Riverview Picnic area in Northfield to Shutdown Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station. Contact: ctriverdefenders@gmail.com
Saturday April 20, 10am on. Earth Week Gathering at the Unitarian Church on Main Street in Northampton, MA. Outdoor & indoor, possible parade & other activities. Stay tuned!
Saturday April 20, 2pm. The Boston Red Rebel chapter will be participating in the Red Rebel International Day of Action on Saturday April 20. We invite you to meet us at the Park Street MBTA station at 2pm on Saturday April 20. Together we will process throughout downtown Boston, MA as a funeral procession with die-ins. The Red Rebel International Day of Action is focusing on the death of life on earth.
Monday April 22, 4pm. This Earth Day, join XR Boston’s Rebels and others to throw a party in honor of our planet in downtown Boston. This is an event for everyone, and will be celebratory in nature, featuring art, music, chanting, and a short walk through the district to share our love of the planet — and the need for greater action to protect it — with fellow Bostonians. We will gather on the Greenway (exact location TBA) at 4pm on Monday, April 22. Join us in celebration, love, and rage for the planet! RSVP Here
That's all, folks......except to remember to listen to your Mother!