Greetings Earthlings. Perhaps one of the worst examples of the mindless destruction of Nature for human greed and corruption is taking place in southeastern Massachusetts. Meg Sheehan, Katherine Harrelson & Annie Hayes of Save the Pine Barrens return to the show to update us on a massive climate crime taking place right here in the Commonwealth. [UPDATE: Interview HERE] As always, we will also bring you along to meet this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and to see if we are Abidin' with Biden, as well as another check-in on our Biomass Baker Countdown Timer and more, but first it's time for........Revenge of the Critters! Bow hunter 0/Moose 1
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is none other than House Minority Leader Repugnican Kevin McCarthy. At the top of a letter to Repug lawmakers thanking them for their contributions to the long awaited “Commitment To America”, McCarthy included a quote attributed to Abe Lincoln: “Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.” There’s literally no evidence that Lincoln ever said that, however the phrase did appear in an ad for Lehman Brothers, the Wall Street giant that collapsed in 2008. Wait, there's more! House Repugs also unveiled their “Commitment to America” agenda for 2023 with an inspirational video full of scenes presented as exceptional imagery of America that were actually stock footage from Russia and Ukraine? [insert laugh track here]
We're pretty sure climate chaos wasn't part of the Repugs “Commitment To America” but we'll never stop telling them "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" Like many coastal cities "Boston officials are stressing the urgent need to prepare the city’s waterfront for the reality of climate change, calling for a broad, holistic approach to defenses against rising sea levels", the Globe tells us. They say it will require a "Big Dig level solution" (hmm, maybe not?) And this: Al Gore called the head of the World Bank a "climate denier" and urged President Biden to replace him with someone who will do more to finance clean energy projects. David Malpass, the accused, denied the charge. Here's a world "Temperature Departure" graphic that caught our eye. Like they say: "One picture is worth a thousand words" 😏 How about a WMass perspective on climate change? Finally, we came across a piece on Grist titled "Northeast drought endangers Massachusett's cranberry harvest" We'll talk with Meg about that, given all the clearcutting and sand mining in cranberry country is no doubt affecting the aquifer.
OK, we celebrate Glen's return from the deep woods with another episode of our Charlie Baker Good Riddance Countdown Timer:
In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we are replaying Extinction Rebellion Boston's "Week of Rebellion" series of climate actions throughout the city. They looked for all the world like high energy creative events to remind Bostonians to "Tell the Truth" and face the facts (see above!). Meanwhile, across the nation in the wake of California's 2035 ban the sale of gas powered vehicles the state has now called for a ban on gas heaters. Grist reports: "California regulators voted unanimously last week to develop new rules that would effectively ban the sale of natural gas-powered heating and hot water systems, a first-in-the-nation commitment."
How about we go out with a Quote of the Week?
It's not unexpected that shooting massive amounts of water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure into the earth to shatter shale and release natural gas might shake things up. But earthquakes aren't the worst problem with fracking.
- David Suzuki
Now it's time for the Bus Top Billboard:
Saturday Oct. 15 and Sunday Oct. 23, from 10 to 2 p.m. Stand Out to raise awareness about protecting our water & communities from illegal mining & solar gone wrong! Main Street, Route 58. Meet at the public library. King Richard’s Faire will be happening and there will be lots of traffic in Carver. Email for details environmentwatchsoutheasternma@gmail.com or Facebook @LandWaterPlymouthArea or Instagram @savepinebarrens
Monday, October 17, 7pm. Screening of the film "Elemental" followed
by Q&A with filmmaker Ralph Bloemers and other special guests. The
film is 78 minutes, the Q&A will start after the screening. Advance Registration is Open Now (Space is limited, only register if you plan to attend):https://vimeo.com/webinars/
Tuesday October 18, 4 to 6pm/ Rain Date 10/19 same times. Standout at Eversource! 55 Russell St. (Rt. 9), Hadley, MA. Park in Hampton Inn Village Shops west of Eversource . Eversource wants to double the width of the power corridor to 200 feet by clearcutting an additional 370 acres of forest in WMass! We need to insist that the Mass. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) conduct its usual full environmental impact report, as is required by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. Eversouce wants to waive the required environmental impact report, falsely claiming that there will be little impact.
Bring highly visible placards & banners with appropriate wording. Bring friends & relatives.
Tuesday October, 18, 7pm. Please note this up-coming program from the Wendell Energy Committee, relevant to hopes and questions around solar energy in our town. Wendell Free Library, 7 Wendell Depot Rd, Wendell, MA 01379
Wednesday October 19, 6 to 8pm. 350MA Berkshire Node Zoom meeting. Go HERE. All are welcome! Use the password: 350ma
Thursday, October 20, 8pm. The "Jogging In Georgia” ZOOM show with Tom Neilson, Episode 5 of his concert series, “Can’t Make This Stuff Up,” This program, as the title suggests, addresses the basic human right to live our lives without fear based on our pigmentation, gender, orientation, nationality….Remember that these concerts are an excellent time to meet people across the time zones who are all part of our global community, doing work similar to yours. It is an opportunity for networking and gathering information. You may purchase a $12.00 ticket for this show here up until 7:00pm ET on the date of the concert.
Tuesday, October 25, 8:00pm. Elders Climate Action October National Call
Climate Change and the Farm Bill with Jonathan Coppess. Every five years, Congress is scheduled to reauthorize the myriad
programs in the Farm Bill. The current statute, the Agricultural
Improvement Act of 2018, is scheduled to expire in 2023 and the next
Congress is expected to attempt reauthorization but much remains
uncertain. Addressing climate change in agriculture – reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, improving resiliency, and practices that can
help capture and sequester greenhouse gases – is increasingly a priority
for many Members of Congress and interests. Go HERE.
This presentation will offer an overview of the guidelines for dual-use, provide a close look at the economics of a dual-use system, and outline the process for planning and installing such a system. Here is the link: Dual-Use: Agriculture and Solar Photovoltaics Webinar
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