Greetings Earthlings. We followup our Earth Days activities with an Earth-based story that warms the heart and stirs the soul. Rob Edward, president of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund joins us to talk about the reintroduction of wolves to Colorado. Some humans wiped them out, other humans brought them back. How's that going? Stay tuned. As always, we will also introduce you to this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains were Small and way more, but first it's time for........Revenge of the Critters! More on the Elephants' Revenge.
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is creepy Repugnican Sen.Tom Cotton of Arkansas talking about a recent Golden Gate Bridge protest that took place at which some protesters blocking traffic glued their hands to the pavement. Responding to a question from a Faux "News" reporter Cotton said, " If something like this happened in Arkansas on a bridge there, let’s just say I think there’d be a lot of very wet criminals that have been tossed overboard, not by law enforcement but by the people whose road they’re blocking. If they glued their hands to a car or the pavement, well, probably pretty painful to have their skin ripped off, but I think that’s the way we’d handle it in Arkansas. And I would encourage most people anywhere that get stuck behind criminals like this, who are trying to block traffic, to take matters into their own hands." This from a foolish criminal insurrectionist sympathiser yet to be arrested.
It was Tom Cotton who said "We should be building more [coal plants]... We should be building more nuclear facilities. We should be expanding exploration for oil and gas. Market forces will make technology more efficient and reduce carbon emissions.." To which we say: "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" We guess he has no answer to the question, "What Is The Amazon “Tipping Point,” Exactly?" but if he read that article he might have a better idea 'cuz it says: "..the Amazon Rainforest is dying a slow, degradative death as a result of climate change and human-caused habitat destruction. Scientists worry that these trends may soon push the Amazon over the edge." Here's another tipping point: "The world’s coral reefs are in the throes of a global bleaching event caused by extraordinary ocean temperatures, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and international partners announced." And this from Bill McKibben: "A new study released today in Nature examines data from 1,600 regions of the earth for the last forty years, and concludes that by 2050 climate change will be causing economic damage worth $38 trillion every single year. That seems like…a lot. The entire world economy at the moment is about $100 trillion a year; the federal budget is about $6 trillion a year."
The headline in WaPo was "Timber companies claim carbon credits for trees they don’t cut down" to which we say "Their Brains Were Small and They Died". We always knew those guys and their lackeys in government were dinos and we patiently awaited their asteroid but exactly how long do we have to wait?? The piece goes on, "...the approach, known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, or REDD+, raises questions about how to protect the world’s forests, which sequester billions of tons of carbon, and about the booming carbon credit market. As the window to avoid catastrophic climate change closes, scientists are questioning the intricate methodologies used to calculate this lucrative counterfactual, known as “avoided deforestation.” We guess the operative term is "lucrative counterfactual". 😠
We have another Enviro Show Action Link in our Echo Chamber where you can clue in U.S. Fish & Wildlife about protecting Gray Wolves in Wyoming. It only takes a minute, OK? Go HERE. Also, checkout these anti-Wildlife bills in Congress and ACT!
We are still Abidin' with Biden these days who "marked Earth Day by announcing a $7bn investment in solar energy projects nationwide, focusing on disadvantaged communities, and unveiling a week-long series of what the White House say will be 'historic climate actions'...Biden also announced a new website to encourage citizens to join the American Climate Corps....According to the White House, [last] Tuesday’s theme will be clean water for all communities; Wednesday will focus on accelerating the US’s clean transportation future; Thursday will focus on steps to cut pollution from the power sector and strengthen the US electricity grid; and Friday will see measures to promote cleaner air and healthier schools." We trust it will all be substantial actions. Stay tuned!
Our Enviro Show Quote of the Week is in keeping with our interview:
We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever s'ince, that there was something new to me in those eyes something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then, and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view.
- Aldo Leopold
After our interview with Rob it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Monday April 29, Noon to 4pm. The People’s Science Fair, at The UMass Amherst Fine Arts Plaza is organized by Western Mass Science for the People, will showcase diverse efforts by Western Massachusetts residents to harness STEM for social, economic, racial, environmental, climate, and cultural justice. Participants will include campus-based researchers with justice-oriented projects, grassroots organizers whose work involves STEM knowledge, and student activists committed to building a just future [and a potential surprise] Go HERE.
Monday April 29, 7 to 8:30pm. Climate Action Now virtual monthly gathering. Why Our Brains Need Wildlands with Dr. Susan Masino . Growing
evidence for the brain health benefits of nature span across all age
groups and levels of ability, and include improved cognition and
emotional regulation, and decreased depression and anxiety. These
benefits do not require a wilderness trip – they can happen here in our
communities. Go HERE.
April 30, 7:30pm-8:30pm. Worried about toxic PFAS pollution? So are we. But we can turn that worry into action! Join us for a screening of the documentary “The Poison In Us All” and stay for a brief discussion on what YOU can do to support a ban on toxic PFAS in Massachusetts! Go HERE.
Tuesday April 30 , All Day. Join us at Massachusetts’ annual Lobby Day for Animals. During this event, you can expect to: learn about current animal protection bills and skills for effective advocacy; participate in meetings in your legislators’ offices to discuss animal protection; and meet legislators, make friends, and make a difference for animals. Massachusetts State House, Great Hall 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133 Registration will close April 22 — be sure to register today!
Friday May 3, Noon to 1pm. Stop Funding Climate Chaos! Why are we doing this AGAIN? Because in the year that has passed since the 3.21.23 Day of Action, these mega-banks have invested many more billions of dollars in fossil fuel infrastructure, all while 2023 was the hottest year in 125,000 years! They are financing an ecological crisis of global proportions which is already having devastating effects on people worldwide. And they are stealing the future from coming generations. Assemble at SUNY Plaza @ State & Broadway, procession led by bagpiper, followed by Red Rebel Brigade, followed by Assembly of Faith Leaders, followed by group carrying coffin to symbolize deaths caused by climate chaos and loss of our children's future walk up State Street to three mega-banks: Chase Bank - 50 State Street; Bank of America - 69 State Street; TD Bank - 125 State Street & closing at Academy Park - across from City Hall, Albany, NY
Friday, May 3, 7:00-9:00pm {doors open 6:30}. Voices of Working People’s History. Free program of dramatic readings and lots of songs, with emphasis on Western Mass. voices, telling the origin story of May Day as International Workers’ Day in Chicago with an inspiring introduction to US labor history up to present-day voices of workers rising up ~ inspired by Howard Zinn. Holyoke Media , 1 Court Plaza (Suffolk St), Holyoke, MA. Parking lot across the street.
Monday May 6, 1pm. This is a reminder of MCAN's Monthly Networking zoom covering the critical next 3-year $13B plan for the Mass-Save program. The draft is released and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council is holding multiple public comment listening sessions. Join us as experts Mark Dyen(JCAN, Gas Transition Allies, 350Mass) and Hessann Farooqi(Executive Director of the Boston Climate Action Network) advise on what the plan will mean for our climate and equity work, and what actions they recommend now. Please register here
Monday May 6, 3:30 to 5pm. Rally for Clean Air Justice. In front of Dudley Café, 15 Warren St, Boston, 02119. This free community event will feature public health experts, members of local grassroots organizations, public officials, and residents of Environmental Justice communities willing to share their personal experiences. Attendants will learn more about air quality in Massachusetts and how to act in honor of World Asthma Day! Please join us in fighting for Clean Air for Everyone!
Monday May 6, 6:30-8:00pm. The Numbers Don't Add Up: capitalism and clean energy with Brett Christophers J oin the Climate and Community Project, Verso Press, and Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America for a conversation between Johanna Bozuwa and Professor Brett Christophers about Prof. Christophers' newest book from Verso, The Price is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet. The event will be moderated by Dharna Noor from the Guardian (US) and will explore the current slate of policies that hinge on making climate action 'investable', the limitations of that approach, and more promising pathways to a resilient, just, zero carbon economy. The event will be both in person and available to stream live.
Tuesday May 7, 7pm. Starting May 7th to dive deep into 350's utility
campaigning & Ballot Initiatives! Each session will feature different guest speakers who will
share their expertise and then lead attendees in interactive breakout
sessions.
You don't need to attend every week, but register for as many sessions
as you'd like! Register HERE.
Saturday May 18, 11 a.m. Sierra Club Outing in Myles Standish State Forest. Myles Standish State Forest, 194 Cranberry Rd, Carver, MA 02330. Event Details Here! Please join the Sierra Club MA Chapter, Friends of Myles Standish State Forest, and Community Land & Water Coalition (CLWC) on a 5-mile spring hike through the exceptional Myles Standish State Forest. This area contains Atlantic coast Pine Barrens, kettle ponds, cranberry bogs, and habitat for rare, endangered plants and animals and is only one of three ecosystems like this in the world. We will be discussing at the event the state forest’s geology, floral, and fauna as well as environmental issues in the region - i.e., forest protection, sand mining, and solar siting. In addition, CLWC is offering an option to car camp at one of the state forest's campgrounds for the night of May 17. They have reserved a group campsite with a limit of 20 people and 4 cars. A small donation is being asked to reimburse CLWC for the group campsite. See the Cost section below. If you are interested, please Fill out this form.
May 29, 2024 beginning at 1:30 p.m. — Remote Only FirstLight Power has filed its application for a 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protections (MassDEP). The WQC application is available here: https://www.northfield-
May 29, 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m. — Remote Only [see above]
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TTGkjrLOT_qBnjxtUiDWmg#/registration
