Greetings Earthlings. Perhaps by the time you read this Summer Solstice will be behind us and S.2288/H.3549 and S.2287/H.3548 biomass bills will have come before a hearing in the MA Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. Who knows where the biomass issue goes from there? Susan Theberge working with the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition on the Springfield Zombie biomass monster join us to answer some burning questions. As usual, we will also have you meet this week's Fool-on-the-Hill and Those Whose Brains Were small, along with other "..of the Week" selections and the eternal reminder that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" but first it's time for..........Revenge of the Critters! Captured Croc crashes plane?
This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is actually worse than a fool. Repugnican Senator Mike Lee of Utah is the subhuman MAGA bullshit artist who recently "....faced ridicule for calling the suspect of fatal shootings in Minnesota a “Marxist.” [it was obvious to all the shooter was 100% documented MAGA] “This is what happens ... When Marxists don’t get their way,” the Utah senator captioned a photo of alleged gunman Vance Boelter wearing a latex face mask. The Utah senator also shared another post of Boelter with the caption, “Nightmare on Waltz Street.” [referring to Dem Governor Waltz]. Did we mention Lee's effort to privatize our public lands?
In keeping with the above we have Repugnican Senator Bernie Moreno to thank for our Doublespeak of the Week on the same issue. Moreno posted on X the b.s. about the Minnesota shooter being a leftist: "The degree to which the extreme left has become radical, violent, and intolerant is both stunning and terrifying." Along with a another MAGA operative's photo of fake No King "fliers" looking for all the world like props fresh from the copy shop. Duplicitous doublespeak!
These lowlife MAGA fascists are, of course, all in with His Malignancy The Mad King who has been up to his usual egomaniacal machinations trying to establish a fascist "reality" show for himself in spite of the U.S. Constitution. Last week's #NoKings actions however said....Nah! in a big way. As he and his cosplaying Defense Secretary Hegseth were sending troops to DC for The Mad King's pathetic B-Day Parade and into LA, His Malignancy found time to "quietly slip a chainsaw into the Senate budget reconciliation bill. A very large, very destructive chainsaw — programmed to chew through 3.3 million acres of public land. That’s nearly the size of Connecticut." The podcast goes on to note: "... it was wrapped in the usual flaming garbage rhetoric about “freedom,” “streamlining,” and “cutting red tape,” which in this case translates directly to: handing public property to private developers while smiling for the cameras and blaming Joe Biden." And this from Inside Climate News: "The...administration has long touted the downsizing and elimination of national monuments, and a legal opinion from the Department of Justice argues that the president has the power to do that." Yes, The Mad King's so-called Department of Justice headed by snarling Cruella wannabee Pam Bondi. The Center for American Progress has been keeping track of His Malignancy's unconstitutional actions. It's a lot.
Enough doom scrolling, let's look for something lighter in our Critter of the Week. At d.o.'s place several species of Humming Birds visit the garden every year. They are a marvel. "Fifteen types of hummingbirds can be found living in the United States, along with nine vagrant species that occasionally wander inside our borders. Even though hummingbirds might weigh less than your pocket change, don't let their tiny size fool you! These small birds can be feisty and were even considered to be the reincarnations of warriors by the Aztecs" the American Bird Conservancy tells us. We could use some warrior birds these days but we guess we'd need a lot. That said, The NY Times informs us a lot were discovered recently together: "They are among the most aggressive birds in the avian kingdom. Their territorial fury is especially aimed at other hummingbirds. Competition over a patch of flowers or a mate often results in high-speed aerial chases, divebombing and beak jousting. So when Gustavo Cañas-Valle, an ornithologist and birding guide, stumbled across a cave full of hummingbirds nesting and roosting together in Ecuador’s High Andes, he could hardly believe it. “I thought, ‘This looks like a colony,’” Mr. Cañas-Valle said. He added, “They were like bees.” Perhaps there's a lesson in this for us humans?
It may be a stretch but is it possible those Humming Birds are aware that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" ? Over the years we've talked about the dangers of fossil fuels and ocean acidification in terms of natural carbon capture. That's why we are disturbed when we read this header on Inside Climate News: "The World’s Oceans Are a ‘Ticking Time Bomb,’ Reaching Dangerous Acidification Levels Earlier Than Scientists Thought." The piece went on: "A study, published in the journal Global Change Biology, found that ocean acidification—the process in which the world’s oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, becoming more acidic—crossed a “planetary boundary” five years ago.....Scientists had determined that ocean acidification enters this danger zone or crosses this planetary boundary when the amount of calcium carbonate—which allows marine organisms to develop shells—is less than 20 percent compared to pre-industrial levels. The new report puts the figure at about 17 percent." The oceans are the greatest source of natural carbon capture on the planet, by the way. As we always point out, forests and trees are also an important aspect to natural carbon capture. Will residents of the Commonwealth please take a moment to help out by clicking to sign a petition to state legislators to preserve state forests and to expand and preserve urban tree canopies across Massachusetts? Finally, it seems the Climate Crisis has opened the door to unfriendly fungus. Have you been watching "The Last of Us" ?
Remember when the Environmental Protection Agency actually protected? Now "Their Brains are small and, apparently They Died? Mother Jones has the story: "The... administration on Wednesday announced plans to rescind and postpone rules limiting “forever chemicals” in drinking water that were enacted under the Biden administration and designed to prevent millions of people from exposure to these persistent and dangerous contaminants. Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said the agency plans to issue new rules this fall that would repeal drinking water levels for four PFAS chemicals and delay the implementation of limits on two others.....New data shows that PFAS are found at more than 8,500 drinking water sources across all 50 states and Washington, DC. Recent research has found that PFAS in ocean waters can disrupt carbon cycles, increasing climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions." We guess the dinosaurs are back and ignoring the asteroid yet again.
Time for our Enviro Show Quote of the Week. Here's an appropriate one...
Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.
After our interview it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:
Fridays 4:30pm Stop the Coup Standouts on Rt. 2 Gill side of
Gill-Turners Falls bridge in WMass grow weekly. Bring your own signs & friends! AND: The Good Trouble
Democracy Brigade is holding protests every Friday
from 3 to 4 p.m. at the intersection of Route 116
and Sugarloaf Street in South Deerfield. AND Every Friday HANDS OFF OUR STUDENTS! Peaceful Visibility Standout, 4 pm – 5:30 p.m., Kendrick Park, [Cancelled for 6/6] Amherst: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/778646/ AND Every Friday Jewish Voice for Peace Weekly Northampton Standout.
4:00-5:30 p.m. at the Route 9 roundabout at the Northampton side of the
Coolidge Bridge. Join us in demanding a ceasefire & arms embargo.
Signs & banners provided. Park at the Norwottuck Rail Trail, 446
Damon Rd. Click here for access info.
Tuesdays, 4-6pm Hold banners, signs and flags, on I-91 overpass to show people that they are not alone -
and help give them the courage to join us and take a stand against the Coup & DOGE. Please make signs with very few words and very big and bold letters. Come even if you don't have a sign, we'll have plenty! Here's the link for more info and to register:https://mobilize.us/s/4Gq1hs We've
added this coming Sunday and Thursday, from 4-6 pm, at the
same location: the I-91 overpass at Mountain Park Rd, Holyoke.You can
sign up for Sunday or Thursday on Mobilize: Sunday 3/23, 3:30pm. - https://www.mobilize.us/
ALSO: Tuesdays 4-5pm. No Kings Weekly Vigil, Park Square, Elm and Main Streets (Route 20) Westfield, MA 01085 AND Tuesdays 3:30 – 5pm. 12 Mountain Dr. Overpass, Hatfield, MA 01038 AND Every Tuesday in Amherst. Stand out for Peace and Racial Justice (and immigrant justice, climate justice, etc.) – in Amherst. 4:00-4:30 P.M. Main Street and South Pleasant Street in front of the bank. Bringing positive action in troubling times.
Weekly on Tuesdays & Thursdays. The MA State House Stand Out is back in a new incarnation! This historic climate action lasted for 14 months and engaged hundreds of volunteers from across the climate movement. Volunteers are needed!The new version, lovingly referred to as Stand Out Two, happens at the Massachusetts State House between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This is a great way to participate in the climate movement with no risk
of arrest! Volunteers normally sign up for a 2 hour “shift." If you have questions about the Stand Out or would like to get a link to the sign-up sheet please contact organizers at fossilfuels.standout.ma@
Every Saturday. Geendfield Standout for a Ceasefire.. 11 a.m.-noon, On the green by Court Square.
Informal public hearings on OSHA's Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings proposed rule is scheduled to be held virtually continuing through July 2, 2025. Go HE RE.
Friday June 20, 5 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Summer Solstice! The public is invited to join University of Massachusetts Amherst astronomers among UMass Amherst Sunwheel’s standing stones to observe sunrise and sunset on the longest day of the year. UMass Amherst astronomer Stephen Schneider, who will lead this event will explain the astronomical cause of the solstice and how the Sunwheel works. At 10:43 p.m. EDT on June 20, the sun will reach its northernmost position relative to the stars as seen from Earth. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. On the solstice, daylight is longest and nighttime is shortest in the Northern Hemisphere. More HERE.
Saturday June 21, Noon: Fight the Deportations! Rally and March, Northampton, MA City Hall, and March to Northampton Police Department. Contact HERE.
Saturday June 21, 2 - 3pm. Our next All-Chapter XR Gathering will focus on security culture for activists. Lauren Regan, co-founder of the Civil Liberties Defense Center, will lead a training on digital security and hygiene, and how to protect ourselves and our movements from state repression in the current political context. Lauren has been defending the civil rights of activists for more than 20 years and we are very excited to have her join us. There will be time for Q&A after the training. Go HERE.
Sunday June 20, 7pm. Our Revolution’s Citizen Action Team is hosting a special Virtual Lobby Training. We’re setting up direct meetings next week with U.S. Senators and their top staff on these critical issues — and you can be part of them. What makes these visits unique is that constituents like you join us via Zoom to speak directly to decision-makers in the room. RSVP for Sunday’s Virtual Lobby Training
Monday June 23, 4-5:30pm. Deep Dialogue, our Elders Climate Action Massachusetts Conversation Series on Zoom. We will learn more about ISO New England, grid challenges,and our future energy mix. ISO-New England is the independent system operator responsible for managing the electric grid in New England. At our next Deep Dialogue at 4pm on June 23rd, Kerry Schlichting, Richard Kornitsky and Elinor Ross from ISO-NE will present the findings from their study of scenarios for the evolution of the grid and the energy mix to meet the requirements for both cleaner energy and higher demand. Go HERE.
Tuesday June 24, All Day. The TreesPG Steering Committee and the TPG Education/Media group have come up with a summary of tree and forest related legislation to bring before reps of various districts. We hope to have as many voters from those districts as possible to meet their legislators in an organized fashion. PLEASE, if at all possible, set aside Thursday June 24 for a coordinated trip to Beacon Hill for a TreesPG Lobby Day. Details TBA soon. Also, please let us know if you want to participate or. have any questions contact: TreesPublicGood@gmail.com
Tuesday June 24, 6 pm. Action Hour to Stop Trump's Dirty Budget Bill Online -- join from wherever you are . In each Sierra Club Action Hour, you'll get the latest updates on Trump's destructive agenda and then take meaningful action against it in just one hour per month. Contact: Action Team hillary.larson@sierraclub.org
Wednesday June 25, 12 to 1pm. Free Webinar. Invitation from Public Health Institute of Western Mass! "Fighting for Air" - Updates on the proposed biomass plant in Springfield, MA. Email pioneervalleyasthmacoalition@gmail.com or call: 413.794.7600
Wednesday June 25 5 p.m. Notice of Project Change with a Phase One Waiver request (the “NPC”) filed on June 2nd
in connection with state environmental review of the renovation and
reuse of the existing Navy Hangar building on a privately
owned parcel adjacent to L.G. Hanscom Field’s North Airfield (the “Navy
Hangar Project”). The NPC is currently under review by regulators and
the public and is available for download here (from the ‘Attachments’
tab). Comments are due to the MEPA Office by July 11, 2025. Comments
may
be submitted by email to alexander.strysky@mass.gov or viathe MEPA
Public Comments Portal. This meeting will be available virtually..To
register for the Zoom link, please go to:https://bit.ly/hanscom-public-session-3
Wednesday June. 25, 6pm. Plastic People - The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics. Community Room, Forbes Library, Go HERE
Monday June 30, 6 pm. [new date] Climate Action Now's Summer Solstice Outdoor Gathering. Find out what Climate Action Now is up to and how you can get involved! Pizza and community under the tent at the Elks Club in Florence
Tuesday July 1, 10am to 12pm. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) will host a public webinar to present its straw proposal for the Advancing Massachusetts Power (AMP) Energy Storage Grant Program. This $47 million grant program is intended to fund energy storage programs and projects that deliver system and societal benefits identified in DOER’s Charging Forward report... The primary purpose of the webinar is to share the straw proposal and to start to gather stakeholder input. Register HERE.
Sunday July 15 & July 22, 5-8 pm. Non-violent direct action training prepares people to make the choice to participate in a diversity of actions that aim to resist a current policy or situation. Taking the training does not obligate you to choose to risk arrest, and there are countless strategies of resistance and non-cooperation. With both instructional and experiential activities, participants will learn some of the history and approaches to non- violent actions, techniques for de-escalation and navigating hecklers, self-care, the role of power and privilege in this work, the use and purpose of affinity groups, including special roles, community building, and, how to prepare for an action whether it involves risking arrest or not. Please REGISTER HERE no later than July 12, 9:00 pm (Email heckysmith@gmail.com with any questions)
That's it folks except to remember to listen to your Mother.
