The Youth vs. Gov Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. The Climate Crisis may not seem like the imminent disaster it is to many of us older folks here in the first stages of climate change but think of what it means to young people who will be most impacted by the intense chaos of mega-storms, erratic weather patterns, food shortages, and social disintegration when the Crisis is more severe! Phil Gregory, pro-bono lawyer for Our Children's Trust calls in to talk about their Juliana v. United States lawsuit and some recent developments. Phil specializes in complex business and environmental litigation, including financial fraud, intellectual property, partnership and shareholder disputes. Of course we'll also take you to see this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and to endure the spectacle of His Malignancy The Mad King, as well as a trip to The Enviro Show Echo Chamber but first it's time for.............Revenge of the Critters! Given so many critters are injured or killed by motor vehicles is it any wonder they strike back now and then?

This Fool-on-the-Hill will soon be off of it given that six-term incumbent Repugnican Peter Roskam lost his race for reelection even though he has been posing as “climate advocate” in Illinois’ 6th district. He was another Repug member of the poorly named House Climate Solutions Caucus we talked about on the last show. Also, Roskam voted for a resolution condemning a carbon tax and snagged a 7 percent lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters and scored just 3 percent last year. Roskam's also on record calling global warming “junk science” but none of that matters anymore after January!

His Malignancy The Mad King recently nominated climate denier and industry sellout Bernard McNamee to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). McNamee once wrote an Earth Day op-ed on the benefits of fossil fuels and is a champion of that coal and nuclear bailout that appears to be floundering. The Senate will be considering his nomination in the next few days but will they ever realize that FERC Don't Work?? You can inquire HERE. We've talked a lot about The Sixth Mass Extinction on the show over the years and no one should be surprised His Malignancy has a part in it, right? The U.S. is a major contributor to the decline of these animals. As just one example, we have imported tens of thousands of giraffe products and trophies over the past decade alone and are driving up global demand. Some of The Mad King's sorry offspring are trophy hunters. Maybe that's why he's not doing anything about it, but more likely he just doesn't care. And speaking of not caring, His Malignancy was casting blame, in all the wrong places (O say, as in "not raking leaves" ?) for the horrendous wildfires in California before finally sending aid after being roundly criticized for his usual utter insensitivity. There are 1,300 people unaccounted for and 80 dead in the Camp Fire alone as of this writing.

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we found this piece from Grist that concerns one of the young participants in Our Children's Trust. "[Aji Piper] didn’t end up finishing his senior year at West Seattle High School, deciding to drop out in order to focus on his legal efforts. College, a career, even a potential job as a dog walker are on hold as he waits for the new court date to be set [for Juliana v. United States lawsuit]." We've reported on plastic ocean pollution and the Great Garbage Patch(es) for awhile now with no good news about anyone doing anything to address it.....until now. The website looks a bit slick but hopefully the effort will get legs. And this from the Boston Globe: "As storms intensify, sewage spills in rivers become a concern. Dozens of rivers in the region are repeatedly inundated with raw sewage from treatment plants overwhelmed by heavy rains." It's climate chaos vs. ancient infrastructure!  Finally, The New Green Deal is making news all over the place including here in the valley during Monte's March. 

After our conversation with Phil Gregory we move over to the Bus Stop Billboard:


Saturday, December 1, 11am. MA Sierra Club Amethyst Brook Hike, Amherst, MA.  A hike on the Robert Frost Trail along Amethyst Brook in Amherst. The trail goes along open field, wetlands and through woodlands near the brook. Approximately 1 mile long hike to take about an hour. Parking is available at the trail head. Love & learn Amherst for all seasons! For info go HERE .


Saturday, December 1, 1:30pm. New England Coalition’s annual meeting  at Brattleboro Savings & Loan, 221 Main St, in the community room. Enter at the back of the bank. Ray Shadis will speak on the topic: “Carry It On: The Greening of Vermont Yankee and the Near-Term Future of Nuclear-related Advocacy in New England.” Details here on the NEC website. 


Tuesday, December 4, 6-8pm. PV Mass Bike Annual Meeting. Florence Civic Center, 90 Park St, Florence, MA 01062. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/donate/289567718566383/ 


Saturday, December 8, 2:30 – 8:30pm.  Sustainability Summit comes to Springfield, Massachusetts.  Co-op Power’s Annual Sustainability Summit is a great opportunity to share ideas with like-minded people on topics from green business development and community finance to grassroots activism and social justice.  Expect vibrant discussions about our society and our environment centered around our theme, "Energy Democracy”, with a dynamic keynote speaker and workshops throughout the day. If you are passionate about the environment and social justice then you have a place at the Summit to add to the excitement and expertise! Go To: https://www.facebook.com/events/2149412618455035/  


We are out of here for now. Remember to listen to your Mother!