Blog Archive

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Stand Up for Standing Trees Enviro Show


[Hear our podcast of the show HERE

Greetings Earthlings.  Obviously many people in Washington, DC have gone over the cliff into the MAGA Pit of Delusion & Hate. They represent some 30% or so of the U.S. population but some of them may have realized the error of their way. Regardless, the rest of us are here and many of us are standing up & fighting back. Chris Gish, Community Organizer at Standing Trees joins us to talk about building resistance to MAGA's War on Nature. As always, we will also poke fun at this week's Fool-on-the-Hill, Those Whose brains Were small and, of course, our ever-present reminder that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" and more but first it's time for........Revenge of the Critters!  Bear vs.....team mascot

This week's Fool-on-the-Hill goes plural as "Six Republican members of the U.S. Congress have sent a letter to Canada’s ambassador calling for action on the wildfires sending smoke billowing across the international border into their states. In a letter to Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, representatives Tom Tiffany, Brad Finstad, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Glenn Grothman, and Pete Stauber of Wisconsin and Minnesota said their constituents are coping with suffocating smoke from Canadian wildfires. "As we are entering the height of the fire season, we would like to know how your government plans on mitigating wildfires and the smoke that makes its way south,” the letter said. “We’ll keep our smoke, when you keep your CO2,” a commenter suggested as Canada’s official response. Mitigate smoke? How about blowing smoke?

"Their Brains Were small and They Died" segment this week goes to Repugnican dinosaurs in the U.S. Senate who gave the green light to one of the worst beasts in the jungle. We talked about faux "news" monster Jeanine Pirro on the last show as a horrible choice for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, a position progressive critics and Democratic opponents warn she is deeply unqualified to hold. Now they've gone and stepped in it. This throwback to eras long gone will do untold damage to what ever semblance of justice is left in the U.S. 

On to our Doublespeak of the Week. Apparently in 2019 – His Malignancy earned the US National Council of Teachers of English Doublespeak Award "for perpetuating language that is grossly deceptive, evasive, euphemistic, confusing, and self-centered." The following year they gave it to "The phrase “China Virus” and those who use it" (same guy, of course). Then they gave up entirely, presumably 'cuz The Mad King overwhelmed them with his endless bullshit. At least they could have given him a lifetime achievement award. This week we can't think of anyone who deserves it more. You? 

We guess that takes us to His Malignancy's latest assaults on the nation and Planet Earth?  Assaults like the plot to steal the 2026 elections for starters. You'll find out about it in New York University School of Law... new report, The Trump Administration's Campaign to Undermine the Next Election, which aims to "connect the dots" on a host of maneuvers by the White House." Obviously the Cheating Liar-in-Chief is fixated on clinging to power even though only about a third of voters want him anywhere near Washington, DC. Not surprisingly, MAGA Mike and his traitorous minions in congress want to help out in that goal by underfunding the elections. For now however, His Malignancy's Cabinet of Horrors' Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is poised to drive another stake through the heart of the Constitution. Back on May 9, "Miller told reporters that the administration is considering whether to suspend the right to habeas corpus...in immigration cases." Do you think The Mad King would stop there?  In terms of the environment check this out: The Mad King's "Environmental Protection Agency has proposed to reapprove the pesticide that courts have twice struck down." Why continue doing the right thing to protect critters when you can go backwards and do all the wrong things??  Backwards like this from Tipping Point: The "Administration’s Department of Energy just released a report that distorts climate science and spreads dangerous misinformation — and now, the scientists whose work it misrepresents are fighting back. The report downplays the role of fossil fuels in warming, claims greenhouse gases have a “minimal” impact on the U.S., and argues that cutting emissions is pointless." O wait, maybe that should be the Doublespeak Report of the Week? Finally (while we're at it) "now the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to make pollution standards for mercury and other toxic substances like lead and arsenic up to 70% weaker for power plants."

Our Critter of the Week brings a bit of good news with it: "In encouraging news, the eastern monarch butterfly population nearly doubled in 2025, according to a new report announced in Mexico. The population wintering in central Mexico's forests occupied 4.42 acres, up from 2.22 acres during the previous winter. While monarchs occupied nearly twice as much forest habitat as last year, populations remain far below the long-term average." There are tons of webpages and videos like this one where you can learn more about Monarchs (#NoKings ...sorry). Help out these beautiful critters. These are monarchs that deserve our support. 

Speaking of critters that deserve our support, what do you think is their biggest challenge? "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" And speaking of stupid, how about this headline: "E.P.A. Is Said to Draft a Plan to End Its Ability to Fight Climate Change"?  No, that's not from The Onion, it's from a July 22nd issue of The New York Times. We spoke about His Malignancy and the damaged goods of MAGA going backwards earlier, right? It's one of their biggest obsessions (next to white nationalism, male domination, revisionist history, fascism, actual stupidity?). Another example from Inside Climate News: "The U.S. delegation was a no-show [at an international wetlands summit] until the final days of the summit, when one American representative came to demand that conference documents include no mention of climate change, DEI, gender, the U.N.’s sustainable development goals, or “zero growth.” Sadly, it's not just them, they seem to be dragging us all back with them? Maybe not. Again, another Times headline: "As U.S. Retreats on Climate, China and Europe Pledge to Go Green Together." Here in the states we can move on as well.

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we rerun a multi-group effort to garner support for The Endangered Species Act that's always under attack from the MAGA freak show. Also, how about we "Tell Congress to stand up for voting rights and block any proposal that defunds our freedom to vote! OK, why stop now? How about "Tell Your Governor: Don't hand over data to ICE or other federal agencies"?  

Moving on, let's see about our good old Enviro Show Quote of the Week? This is in keeping with our guest and the Green Mountain National Forest presently under threat: 

“We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.”

— Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation

 

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. 



Saturdays 11 to Noon.  Regular Stand Out concerning MAGA government coup & DOGE in Memorial Park in Orange, MA.  25 South Main Street Orange, MA 01364 AND: There is an ongoing NO KINGS!/DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION/DEMOCRACY standout on the Greenfield Town Common, beginning at 9:30am EACH Saturday. 


Every Sunday: Massachusetts Rapid Response for Our Freedoms: Virtual 6:30 pm. – 7:30 p.m. To mobilize and activate a network of people ready to take immediate, strategic action to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.-To educate and inform participants about current authoritarian threats, legal overreach, and coordinated attacks on our freedoms.-To share concrete tools, tactics, and next steps that individuals and groups can take in their communities to push back.-To build a connected movement rooted in collective power, solidarity, and a shared vision of justice and equality for all—not just the wealthy, powerful, or those with privilege. Register and more information. 


Mondays, 11:30am. - 12:30pm. Act Now for Vets, Fed Workers & Democracy. VA Hospital in Leeds, MA.  Park in VA visitors lot or, if you have a sticker or are a Vet, Look Park. Also, bring flags & posters. Indivisible Northampton & Swing Left WMass.  


Wednesdays 11am to 1pm. Weekly Standouts at ICE Facility at 1000 District Avenue.
Burlington, MA.  Rabbi Susan Abramson of Temple Shalom Emeth agrees. A longtime advocate for immigrant rights, has been co-leading peaceful protests outside the Burlington ICE office every Wednesday. Attendance has grown steadily, with about 70 participants last week. Go HERE 


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/indivisiblenorthamptonswingleftwesternma/event/766766/Thursday 3/27 - https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblenorthamptonswingleftwesternma/event/767589/ 


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@proton.me        



 Every Saturday.  Geendfield Standout for a Ceasefire.. 11 a.m.-noon, On the green by Court Square.


Friday September 15 - 21, All day.  Harvard Climate Action Week Live & Online.     Harvard Climate Action Week will bring together world-class faculty and leaders in business, government, and civil society to explore solutions to the most complex challenges of the climate crisis and how to drive further reductions in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The week will culminate in the Salata Institute’s Harvard Climate Symposium: “Pathways for Progress on Energy and Climate.”  Go HERE.  



Saturday, August 16.  Celebrating and spreading the courage we’re seeing around the country. The Texas Dems have called for a national day of action. Check it out: Indivisible is backing them up -- find the map here and host or attend an event. 



Tuesday August 19, 12 to 1pm.  The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) invites science advocates to a virtual action hour on how to drive home the narrative about the impacts on attacks on science during the August congressional recess. Don't let the Trump administration and their anti-science allies in Congress spread disinformation about their attacks on science. Go HERE.  


Tuesday, August 19, 7-9pm. Bystander Intervention and the Disability Community in Public Spaces. Right to Be is a nonprofit bystander intervention training organization focused on building safe inclusive public spaces and transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. We will be viewing the "Right To Be Bystander Intervention Training" and then have time to discuss the training content and practice! During the training participants will learn the 5 Ds of Bystander Intervention and better understand the types of harassment people with disabilities are currently experiencing using a tool called “the spectrum of disrespect.”  Go HERE.  


 

Wednesday Aug 20, 7- 8pm.   Sierra Club is offering a virtual free hour-long webinar exploring how the rush to build large data centers is driving a new climate crisis and impacting ratepayers. Join us and learn about the scale of this data center wave, the massive impact it’s having on the electric sector, and how utilities are responding. We'll discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly in emerging state policies and utility approaches, and what you can do to help hold technology companies, utilities, regulators, and policymakers accountable. Can't make it? RSVP and we'll send you the recording! Go HERE.  



Sunday August 24, 10am to Noon.  Join us for a One Million Rising Resistance Gathering--Part II. At this local community gathering, attendees will stand together in community, ready to take action. They will participate in a lively discussion addressing the real-time threat America is facing as we quickly shift away from our democratic values and into an authoritarian regime. We will talk through ways our local community can take action and help stop this through noncooperation techniques.Go HERE


Thursday August 28, 6 to 8pm.  The Plymouth Airport Community Advisory Committee meeting. The Airport Commission wants to hear from more of us if you are impacted, upset, disturbed by the noise from the loud, low flying planes, the repetition of training school circling over the same areas, the jets ignoring the noise abatement policy, the JETS period! As many times that you are impacted, if you don’t let the airport know every time, they don’t know you are impacted. If you do not let the airport and the town officials know you do not want more issues with an expansion, the expansion will happen. Administrative Building Conference Room,  246 South Meadow Road, Plymouth, MA.  Go HERE.  


Saturday September 20 & Sunday September 21, All Day.  On the 20th world leaders will be gathering in NYC for the UN General Assembly and Climate Week. A major climate justice demonstration will be held that day in NYC, convened by international 350.org, DRUM, Climate Defenders and the Women’s March and endorsed by over 100 other groups so far. Then on Sunday, September 21, “Sun Day”, local actions around the country organized by national Third Act will “celebrate solar and wind power and the movement to leave fossil fuels behind. Solar energy is now the cheapest source of power on the planet—and gives us a chance to actually do something about the climate crisis. But fossil fuel billionaires are doing everything they can to shut it down. We will build, rally, sing and come together in the communities where we must work to get laws changed and work done.” Go HERE.  And Women's March HERE



September 27 and 28, 10am.– 5pm. The Garlic & Arts Festival, Rain or Shine, at Forster Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange, Massachusetts. If you are curious about the Festival details such as parking, pets, accessibility. and more take a look at the FAQS for 2025.  Be sure to checkout both the Climate & Democracy Tent & The Word Stage where d.o. will be reading from his new book "It's the Trees" on Saturday around Noon.   


Saturday September 27, 10am to 4pm.  Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts, likely in the town of Great Falls rain or shine. We'll keep you updated about the final location. National Public Lands Day. Join advocates from across New England to celebrate National Public Lands Day. In a time when public lands are under unprecedented pressure to be logged, mined, drilled, roaded, and sold off entirely, we will gather to learn from each other about the value of wild, public lands, and what we can do to protect them. Expect music, art, food, teach-ins, and advocacy workshops. Go HERE



Saturday October 4, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. "Forest Fires in Massachusetts: Myths and Reality." The Gallery Room at Plimoth Patuxet , 137 Warren Avenue,  Plymouth, MA 02360 Entry fee.  Wildfires in the Western United States and Canada are more and more prominent in the news. There is also growing interest in the role of wildfires and intentional first (controlled burning) in New England. In Massachusetts, public agencies are increasingly using controlled burning in state forests and wildlife management areas, such as the Montague Plains and Muddy Brook wildlife management areas, and Myles Standish State Forest.  



That's it but PLEASE remember to listen to your Mother

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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