This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is a Dem who more-or-less works for Ol' King Coal. Machine Dems just named Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Joe says "West Virginia is a leading energy producer and major contributor to advanced energy technologies, and I intend to ensure this progress is continued. The problems facing our country are serious, and I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common sense solutions for long-term comprehensive energy policy that incorporates an all-of-the-above strategy and ensures our state and our nation are leaders in the energy future.” Got it?
Meanwhile, His Malignancy The Mad King is having his Environmental Protection Agency Allow Unlimited Dumping of Fracking Wastewater in the Gulf of Mexico. TruthOut tells us: "In a letter sent to EPA officials... attorneys for the Center for Biological Diversity warned that the agency’s draft permit for water pollution discharges in the Gulf fails to properly consider how dumping wastewater containing chemicals from fracking and acidizing operations would impact water quality and marine wildlife......Center attorney Kristen Monsell said the EPA’s permit is just another example of a federal agency “rubber-stamping” permits for offshore fracking without taking a hard look at how the technology impacts the environment. The EPA, she argues, should prohibit the dumping of hazardous fracking chemicals and other wastes directly into ocean altogether." And this: The Intelligencer informs us: "The Trump administration’s policies are leading to wholesale destruction of certain birds and other wildlife. This fact has escaped most public notice amid the broader damage the Cabinet is causing to the environment. Among other measures, regulatory agencies have been working to lift protections on endangered animals, open up vast animal habitats for drilling, encourage more trophy hunting, and repress treatment standards for farm animals." No word yet on their slaughter of cute bunnies or pulling the legs off of spiders but last year scientists discovered a moth with golden hair and a tiny penis; any guess who they named it after? His Malignancy's War on Nature is such a large part of his enablers' Deconstruction Junction, but it seems clear that train has gone off the rails. He has loaded his Dr. Caligari's Cabinet with climate deniers like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, USDA's Sonny Perdue and both his former and current EPA Administrators. Sooooo, we tried reporting on as many of The Mad King's enviro rollbacks as possible over the past but who can keep up with almost 8o! What will 2019 hold for life on planet Earth? Stay tuned!
Our Quote of the week comes from the mouth of babes: “What is the point of learning facts when the most important facts given by the finest scientists are ignored by our politicians?” – Greta Thunberg, student activist.
OK, surely by now you know "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" [except for these guys!] but did you know that Eighty-four members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of Justice last fall, asking officials to prosecute pipeline activists as “terrorists” ?? This is not a new thing. It's as old as shoot-the-messenger and in some parts of the world it's just that. But hey, we have a world to save so we have to expect adversity, right? We just need some climate courage and as many friends and allies as we can muster. The cause is just and the time is Now, Now, Now!
On to the Bus Stop Billboard!
EVERY THURSDAY 4 – 5PM— MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE, BOSTON— #SitWithJohn, Give Us A #MassGreenNewDeal Weekly Climate Action. Since the federal government is incapable of doing anything we're pressuring the Commonwealth and the Legislature for a Massachusetts Green New Deal. The ask? A 40%-50% reduction in emissions by 2030, and completely carbon-neutral by 2050 to help limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
Tuesday, February 5, 6:30-9pm, Northampton: A home gathering to take heart, share grief (and anxiety, fear, despair, anger) over urgent environmental, economic, racial, and social justice issues, and strengthen our resilience and resistance for the precarious future we face. Bring things to share, such as the poem below by the late, great Mary Oliver, and the excerpt of an article below by Dahr Jamail. More info: John Berkowitz 413-387-8439 johnpberk@gmail.com
Wednesday February 6, 5pm. Stop Climate Change! Pliny Park corner of Main and High streets Brattleboro, VT. Stop Climate Change Action. As presidential hopefuls begin to announce their candidacies and our new congress works to define their priorities, this is a key moment to keep up the pressure for real climate leadership and a Green New Deal. We will ramp up our call for a Green New Deal by publicly calling on our elected leaders to commit to a just and equitable transition to a world free from fossil fuels, support green jobs, reject fossil fuel money, and endorse a Green New Deal. We'll march on the sidewalk to the Brattleboro food co-op and back. Bring a sign. Can you join me? Click here for details and to RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/stop-climate-change?source=email&
Thursday, February 7, 5:30pm. Free Workshop : Understanding Urban Trees at the
Hotel on North, 297 North St. Pittsfield, MA. Join
Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Urban Foresters for a free
workshop! Learn how trees are critically linked to our mental and
physical health, the impacts of urban forests, how you could get free
trees planted on your property, and how to care for your own trees. Come early grab a bite, schmooze with your forester friends, and learn about trees. Cash bar & Snacks! More info at thebeatnews.org
Friday February 8, 11am Green New Deal Letter Drop Off for Representative McGovern. McGovern's Office, 94 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA 01060. We're joining a national day of action and bringing the call for real climate leadership to Representative McGovern's doorstep. We will ramp up our call for a Green New Deal by publicly calling on our elected leaders to commit to a just and equitable transition to a world free from fossil fuels, support green jobs, reject fossil fuel money, and endorse a Green New Deal. Go to: https://actionnetwork.org/events/green-new-deal-letter-drop-off-for-representative-mcgovern
Friday February 8, 11am Green New Deal Letter Drop Off for Representative McGovern. McGovern's Office, 94 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA 01060. We're joining a national day of action and bringing the call for real climate leadership to Representative McGovern's doorstep. We will ramp up our call for a Green New Deal by publicly calling on our elected leaders to commit to a just and equitable transition to a world free from fossil fuels, support green jobs, reject fossil fuel money, and endorse a Green New Deal. Go to: https://actionnetwork.org/events/green-new-deal-letter-drop-off-for-representative-mcgovern
Wednesday February. 13, 5:30pm. - "Who are our Other-than-Human Neighbors?" There is potluck dinner at 5:30 and the program will begin at 6:15. There will be a number of 'guides' to share their understanding of various species - animal, vegetable and mineral. We are fortunate to be able to use the Discovery Center on Avenue A in Turners Falls (near the bridge) for our program, an environmental center replete with dioramas of the Connecticut River Watershed. Please call Kate with any questions (413) 625-6967.
That's all folks.....for now. Remember to listen to your Mother!
