The Endgame Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. In keeping with our notoriety for gobs of gloom & doom here on The Enviro Show we get a call from Derrick Jensen, writer, activist, alarm-sounder and all around tree-hugging dirt-worshiper (hey! not unlike yours trulys!). We'll be talking about some of his latest tomes like "What We Leave Behind" & "Endgame". What? Not happy-clappy enough? Also, we delve into the latest enviro news in the old Echo Chamber, as well as in our E-Valley-uation segment; checkout The Enviro Show Quote of the Week; and visit the Bus Stop Billboard, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! You guessed it: captive Killer Whale lives up to its' name. So why is it a captive again?

In our E-Valley-uation segment the BIG news is Vermont's Senate voting not to extend VT Yankee's funky old nuke an operating license beyond 2012. Don't think for one minute that old leaky nuke doesn't concern you here in the Valley. You are downwind and downstream and speaking of down: SHUT IT DOWN! Remember the thwarted Nestle assault on the Montague Plain? Checkout a very funny clip for Bottled Water Free Day here. BREAKING NEWS: Whole Foods "organic" from China? We don't think so! The store in Hadley needs to hear from all of us......LOUDLY!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week concerns nukes as well:

"So, in essence, a nuclear reactor is just a very sophisticated and dangerous way to boil water—analogous to cutting a pound of butter with a chain saw."
- Helen Caldicott

In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we hear from the Flat-Earth crew on Snowmaggedon vs. the Climate Crisis. Who needs science when you have Sen. Jim DeMint or James Inhofe! And this: Extra! Extra! The Climate Movement is Dead, Long Live the Climate Movement! Also, some good news! WMECO to go solar in the Berks. Did we say solar? Checkout the solar initiative Bernie Sanders introduced in congress here.

In our "Meet the New Boss" seg: an Enviro Show Blog Bonus: Take Action against the resumption of....are you ready?....WHALING! Here's the quote from Greenpeace: "Mr. President, we are deeply concerned about reports that some in your administration are championing a deal that would undermine the moratorium and secure the future of commercial whaling." Talk about "change"! Yes, we can!!

"The End of the World" (Whoa! right on theme) by Marie Mason from "Not for Profit" takes us to our interview with Derrick. He was just named Press Action's Person of the Year. Checkout the kudos: ""The recipient of this award was never in doubt. Derrick Jensen's "Endgame", released in late spring, was the best work of nonfiction in 2006. Given the significance of its subject matter and the urgency of Jensen's message, Endgame is the most important book of the decade and could stand as the must-read book of our lifetimes. But be careful. The book is likely to send you into periods of despondency over the bleak future of the planet. But Jensen explains that if enough of us stand up and work together to fight the fascists, the crash won't be as devastating. And the long struggle will eventually result in an explosive renewal of all forms of life on the planet."

Finally, it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Saturday, March 6, 10-4 pm. Moms against VY. Hope for the Future. Come and make some art with Vermont's energy future in mind. Tables will be set up w/ supplies including clay, paint, mixed media. Performances will take place throughout the day. Winter Fare, River Garden, Main Street. Brattleboro, VT At 2:00 pm, all Women and Children Opposed the the re-licensing of VY should come to Pliny park, across the street (with signs) for a powerful photo op.

Saturday March 6, 9 pm, Burrito Rojo in Turners Falls. Tom Neilson's new CD release gig. Call (413)863-3111

Thursday, March 11. All Day it's Bottled Water Free Day! Checkout http://www.bottledwaterfreeday.ca

Saturday, March 13 at 9am. Mountain Justice Spring Break 2010. "Stand in solidarity with communities impacted by dirty coal!"Southwest Virginia. Email: mdriggs[at]gmail[dot]com or call (508)361-0136

March 15 there will be a drawing for five FREE trees for Greenfield residents! To apply call Janine at the DWP at 772-1528 x 106 or just stop by the Greenfield Town Hall. The FREE trees are made possible by the Memorial Tree Fund.

Thursday, March 18, 7-8:30pm. The Meaning of Wilderness. Doug Seale will lead us through an exploration of how the meaning of wilderness has changed over time and how these various attitudes shape our interactions with nature, with special attention to Thoreau, Emerson, Muir, Marsh, T. Roosevelt, Leopold, and a few others. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376, Ph 413.863.3221

Saturday, March 20, 7:30 pm. Dave Lippman aka. Wild Bill Bailout will be at the Echo Lake Coffeehouse, Leverett Town Hall, Leverett Center. Call 413-548-9394

We are over & out. Tune-in next time for another visit with our in-house pagans. It'll be SPRING!

It's the Year of the Tiger.........do something!

Your friends on The Enviro Show are big fans of all critters, but big cats hold a special place in our hearts. Sadly, the cats are in deep trouble with only thousands left on Earth. Checkout this screed from The Center for Biological Diversity then take action on the links below. Thanks for listening!



The Year of the Tiger began on Feb. 14, which should mean good things for the world. In Chinese astrology, tigers are known as bold and independent, good luck against fire and thieves.

But if the Year of the Tiger ends up being anything like every other year over the past few decades, it won't be very good for tigers themselves. The princely animals are among the most endangered species on the planet. In the wild, they number fewer than 3,000; their habitat, which once stretched in Asia from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea, has shrunk by more than 90% over the past century, and it's shrinking still. "We once had more than 100,000 of these animals," says Sybille Klenzendorf, the director of the World Wildlife Fund's U.S. Species Conservation Program. "There's a real chance that we will lose this animal in our own lifetime."

Tigers are what is known as charismatic megafauna — the sort of big, well-known animal that tends to be good marker of a jungle's ecological health — and green groups are taking advantage of the Chinese new year to press for better protection. They face a battle on many fronts: tigers are threatened by deforestation, hunting and the illegal trade of their bones and other parts, which are used in some forms of traditional Chinese medicine, mostly for consumers in Asia.

But one of the most unexpected threats to the tiger comes here in the U.S., where there are more tigers kept in private captivity then there are surviving wild animals left in the world. Few laws oversee the private ownership of tigers in the U.S., and conservationists worry that captive tigers could too easily end up fueling the illegal global wildlife trade. "There are significant loopholes in U.S. laws that can allow tigers to be exploited," says Crawford Allan, the director of TRAFFIC North America, which tracks the wildlife trade. "We don't know what's happening to them."

In truth, conservationists aren't even sure exactly how many captive tigers there are in the U.S., although their estimate exceeds 5,000. That includes not just tigers in zoos and private wildlife reserves, but animals kept by private owners as pets, sometimes in terrible conditions. In 2003, a 31-year-old man in New York City was arrested after police discovered he was keeping an adult tiger (and an alligator) as pets in his Harlem apartment. Worse, in 2001, three tigers were found caged in the backyard of a Texas mobile home — authorities discovered the animals only after one escaped and killed a three-year-old boy. "There could be a tiger across the street from you and no one would know until something happened," says Allan.

But the greater danger of captivity is to the animals themselves. Tiger cubs that are bought as pets — it can be done online, legally — are often abandoned once they get bigger and considerably less cute. Reserves and sanctuaries can take some of the unwanted tigers, but many refuges have been overwhelmed by demand.

There are also real concerns among conservationists that some private parks in the U.S. are raising tigers specifically for the global wildlife trade. Along with bones, tiger skins are coveted as ceremonial garb in some cultures, or as decoration. (Although the international trade in tigers and tiger parts is illegal, few countries have taken steps to actually enforce the ban.) "Unless we can crack down on the illegal trade and on poachers in the wild, tigers have very little chance of survival," says Keshav Varma, the program director of the World Bank's global tiger initiative.

Although laws in 26 states in the U.S. ban the private ownership of tigers, conservationists would prefer stronger regulations that would allow the government to track the population of tigers kept in captivity and ensure they are being treated humanely and not being farmed for parts. Most of all, the regulations would actually need to be enforced; in Texas, for example, there are some laws governing the private ownership of tigers, but they're rarely used, and conservationists believe there are more than 3,000 captive tigers in the Lone Star state alone. "The government should be able to track the captive population better, to ensure they're not being put into the illegal wildlife trade," says Allan.

Protecting tigers in captivity is one thing, but the bigger challenge is restoring their numbers in the wild. Deforestation and the ballooning human populations in Asia have chased tigers out of their native habitat. Yet the health of the tiger means the health of the planet. "If there is a tiger in the forest, it's a sign that the forest and the other animals in it are healthy," says Varma. "Tigers are the face of biodiversity." Hopefully, then, 2010 will truly be the tiger's year.

© 2010 Time Inc.

Links:

Tiger forum.

What you can do

Indian Tiger Welfare

Help protect tigers from illegal trade

The Dept. of Consternation & Reprobation Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Do you trust the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to care for your forests? What do you think of clear-cuts in the Quabbin? Licensed forester, Dave Gafney calls in to bring us up to date on the state of forestry in the Commonwealth. We'll have a look at their present DCR "Vision" thing while we're at it. Like on near every show, we'll give you some of the latest news in our Echo Chamber, have a look at local enviro situations in our E-Valley-uation segment, give you The Enviro Show Quote of the Week and checkout the Bus Stop Billboard, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! Fox.......Run!

In The Enviro Show Echo chamber we visit the ever entertaining state of Texas and their resistance to.....clean air! And speaking of clean air, wouldn't it be excellent to have municipal utilities that are more accountable to the community for air quality? Sign the petition here. Did you hear about our new ally in the struggle against the climate crisis? It's Osama!.......or maybe the Ghost of Osama, depending on who you want to believe on that account.

In our E-Valley-uation segment we re-run last week's Forest Revision....er..Vision thing in Amherst and chat about clearcuts at the Quabbin and on our public lands (where do we get these people??). Also, the Greenfield Distort....err...Recorder steps away from the world of journalism with their frontpage piece on spewing sewage into our atmosphere. And, our own Harvey Wasserman takes a dim view of that tritium leak at the Vermont Yankee nuke.

In our infamous "Meet the New Boss" segment it's time to address the Obama Administrations embrace of GMOs. In December, the USDA released its review of Monsanto's GE alfalfa seed and determined that Monsanto's alfalfa met the Obama Administration's standards, despite the risk of organic contamination. This conclusion came despite the acknowledgment by USDA researchers that GE alfalfa is virtually certain to "contaminate" normal seeds. You guess it: Franken Hay!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week is a re-run from FDR and appropriate to our theme:

"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people."

"The Tree" sung by Marie Mason from her "Not fror Profit" disc takes us to our interview with Dave, then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, February 17, 12 PM - 1 PM. Brown Bag Lunch, not Tea Bags! Join us as we keep vigil in front of Rep. Richard Neal's office to stop the escalation and funding for war. 300 State Street, Springfield, MA. If you have questions about this vigil, please contact Tim Carpenter at tim@pdamerica.org.

Saturday February 20, 2pm. Students of the so-called Leadership Campaign are coming from all over the state to hold a Sleep-out this weekend on the Amherst Common (see: http://www.westernmassafsc.org/calendar/LCsleepout.htm) the idea being to avoid sleeping in houses heated with non-renewable fuels......at least for a few days we guess (hey, why not wait 'til summer??....kidding!). Contact Kaia Zimmerman, zimgurl@comcast.net, who is a local high school student and one of the organizers.


Monday, February 22 at 7:00pm. Climate 350 Campaign invites you to an organizing meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 245 Porter Lake Drive, Springfield. Contact: M.A.Swedlund@pvclimate.org


Thursday, February 25, 7 to 9 p.m. Spotted Salamanders & the Tunnels. As many of us know, the first amphibian tunnels in North America were installed on Henry Street in Amherst in 1987. The history of the tunnels is a fascinating glimpse into the workings of international conservation and the interface with local species preservation efforts. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, S. Pleasant St., Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Saturday March 6, 9 pm, Burrito Rojo in Turners. Tom Neilson's new CD release gig.

Thursday, March 11. All Day it's Bottled Water Free Day! Checkout http://www.bottledwaterfreeday.ca

Saturday, March 13 at 9am. Mountain Justice Spring Break 2010. "Stand in solidarity with communities impacted by dirty coal!"Southwest Virginia. Email: mdriggs[at]gmail[dot]com or call (508)361-0136

March 15 there will be a drawing for five FREE trees for Greenfield residents! To apply call Janine at the DWP at 772-1528 x 106 or just stop by the Greenfield Town Hall. The FREE trees are made possible by the Memorial Tree Fund.

That is all. Tune in next time for our visit with Derrick Jensen. Until then remember: listen to your Mother!

Help stop the Massachusetts Chainsaw Massacre!

Public forum on logging the Quabbin & MA public lands to be held
Tuesday, February 9, 2010, TWO SESSIONS: 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
 & 7 - 8:30pm.
Amherst Regional Middle School Cafeteria, Chestnut St., Amherst
.


Please come and help defend our woodlands from clear-cutting & bad forestry practices!

AND please spread the word!

d.o.
***************


The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) formed the Forest
Futures Visioning Process (FFVP) to make recommendations on the future

management of Massachusetts' state forests because many of you found
logging practices on state land unacceptable. The process comprised
two groups: the Technical Steering Committee (TSC), a group of
“experts”; and the Advisory Group of Stakeholders (AGS), a group
representing public interests. The TSC has prepared a draft of its
recommendations for public review.

For the past 10 months, Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network
representatives on the AGS have repeatedly presented the TSC with the concerns that led to the formation of the FFVP in the first place. While the TSC's
recommendations answer some of our concerns, many remain. The Friends
Network wants you to know where we think more work is needed if we are
truly to develop a new vision for the management of our forests.



**********************************************************************
1. No more clear-cuts on state lands.
**********************************************************************
The TSC supports clear-cuts up to 5 acres (5 football fields).

Clear-cutting is the most destructive form of forestry and has no
place on public lands.


See Massachusetts Forest Watch for information on clear-cuts.
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MAForestandParkFrien/2b32e46553/cb29832e08/16018068bb


**********************************************************************
2. No to "early successional habitat" as an excuse for clear-cutting.
**********************************************************************

The TSC proposes clear-cutting 30,000 acres to “create early
successional habitat”, but we think this is used as an excuse for
clear-cutting timberland. Clear-cutting to create wildlife habitat
only has the desired effect for 3-5 years, after which time saplings
take over and wildlife moves on. Heidi Ricci, Mass Audubon’s Senior
Policy Analyst and a member of the AGS said, “On early successional,
its not just whether DCR should do such management at all but how and
where. Many people question whether rather random holes in the forest
are the right way to do this, vs. targeted management of overground
fields, expansion of existing open areas, etc.” We prefer a
compromise, whereby wildlife habitat is managed on a small subset of
lands—4,500 acres on a continual 15 year rotation (300 acres/year cut
every 15 years). Let’s maintain meadows and ensure forest rotation
that really benefits wildlife.

Find out what other AGS members had to say about early successional
management and other topics at the AGS Google Group.

http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MAForestandParkFrien/2b32e46553/cb29832e08/8afe1ba584/start=

**********************************************************************

3. Strengthen language that protects parklands from commercial timber
extraction.
**********************************************************************
Creating a new land zoning system (parklands, working woodlands, and
reserves) is a good idea. Parklands zoning will be managed primarily
for recreation, much like the urban park system, with cutting only for
hazard trees, to maintain views, etc. Because they are unique, please
join us in asking that Bradley Palmer, Boxford State Forest,
Cleaveland Farms, Georgetown Rowley, Harold Parker and Willowdale
become designated parklands.

To find out if your forest is targeted for logging go to Friends
Network "Forestry Concerns Page". Scroll down to "Which

forests are to be used for timber? Is your favorite on the
list?".
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MAForestandParkFrien/2b32e46553/cb29832e08/a78b33629e


**********************************************************************
4. Set aside 7% of Massachusetts lands in reserves and parklands.
**********************************************************************

Private lands can supply timber, but they cannot provide recreation,
biodiversity, wildlife corridors, and carbon sequestration like public
lands can. William Moomaw, Professor of International Environmental
Policy at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, and a TSC member who
wants more land in reserve than the TSC recommendations allow, said,
“Many developing countries are trying to protect 10-25% of their
forests (Surinam and Guyana are over 80%), while we are at the 1-2%
level for reserves in Massachusetts. The TSC proposed increase brings
us up to 3-4% of statewide lands.” Audubon and Sierra Club are also
advocating for more protected lands than the TSC. The AGS wants 80%
parklands and reserves and 20% working woodlands; only ~ 7% of MA
protected from logging. Is that really too much to ask for?


To see what the TSC has to say, see Forest Futures Technical Steering
Committee GoogleGroup.
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MAForestandParkFrien/2b32e46553/cb29832e08/5d075ade8d


**********************************************************************
5. Demand site-specific resource management plans for each state
forest and park.
**********************************************************************

Improved planning processes for our forests include ecology,
recreation, wildlife, historic resources and other important land
values. The TSC did not address the fact that the law governing
forestry states, "The commissioner of conservation and recreation
shall submit management plans to the stewardship council for the
council’s adoption with respect to all reservations, parks, and
forests under the management of the department, regardless of whether
such reservations, parks, or forests lie within the urban parks
district or outside the urban parks district. "The plans are to
"provide for the protection and stewardship of natural and cultural
resources." Please join us in insisting that DCR create Resource
Management Plans for each forest and park, starting with the state
forests open to commercial timber harvesting.



**********************************************************************
6. Say no to creating a Commissioner of Forest Stewardship.

**********************************************************************
TSC wants to create a new position, the Commissioner Forest
Stewardship, within the bureaucracy of the Office of Energy and
Environment Affairs (EOEEA). Instead, of hiring another
timber-interest bureaucrat, please ask for a forest ecologist or a
conservation biologist to advise existing state agencies on how to
best protect and preserve public forests. Let’s keep Forestry under
DCR management to better balance all values of state land.




**********************************************************************
7. Don’t allow our public lands to be used to promote timber and
biomass extraction for private industry, subsidized by taxpayers.

**********************************************************************
The TSC recommends using our forests for “demonstration” logging
projects across 100,000-150,000 acres of state parks and forests to
benefit logging interests. Keep state public lands off limits to
product marketing for private industry and propaganda for biomass
plants.

For more information see MASSACHUSETTS FORESTS AT THE CROSSROADS
Forests, Parks, Landscapes, Environment, Quality of Life, Communities
and Economy Threatened by Industrial Scale Logging & Biomass Power
Deerfield River, Mohawk Trail Windsor State
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MAForestandParkFrien/2b32e46553/cb29832e08/6a58efc2fa


**********************************************************************
8. No thanks to FSC Certification of state forests.

**********************************************************************
The TSC is promoting the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
certification program, which they say protects our forests. But it
took citizens pointing out gross violations that caused the state to
loose certification. FSC is a distant international organization, is
costly, promotes clear-cutting, and has proven ineffective for

protecting public forests. We recommend stronger regulations and local
oversight to protect forests.

To learn more about problems with FSC see fsc-watch.org.
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MAForestandParkFrien/2b32e46553/cb29832e08/f891db766b


**********************************************************************
9. Support real public forums.
**********************************************************************
The FFVP public forums have been designed to limit democratic
discussion and input. Two of the meetings have been scheduled to start
at 5:00 p.m. How can working people attend?

At the forum, you will be shunted into small groups where a
“facilitator” will write down your comments. We believe everyone who
attends the forums should have the right to make comments directly to
state officials and be heard by everyone else in the room. Please
support the Friends Network at the forums when we stand up and ask for
a true democratic exchange!


The TSC draft recommendations. Please read and decide if this is the
vision you expected.
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MAForestandParkFrien/2b32e46553/cb29832e08/14ae240261


**********************************************************************
The FFVP comment period closes February 22. Please submit written
comments via email to: MODRDCRFFVP@umb.edu or attend a public forum.

**********************************************************************
Upcoming public forums will be at the following dates, times, and
locations:



Saturday, February 6, 2010, 10 a.m.– Noon (Snow date: Saturday,
February 13)
 North Adams Public Library, 74 Church Street, North
Adams
.

Saturday, February 6, 2010, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Snow date: Saturday,
February 13)
 Berkshire Community College – Melville Hall Room 201,
1350 West Street, Pittsfield
. 


Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
 & 7 - 8:30pm.
Amherst Regional Middle School Cafeteria, Chestnut St., Amherst
.


Thursday, February 11, 2010, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Snow date: Thursday,
February 18)
 Taunton Public Library, 12 Pleasant Street, Taunton.


See DCR information on FFVP public meetings here.
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MAForestandParkFrien/2b32e46553/cb29832e08/f0d6389452


**********************************************************************
Thank you for caring about the future of Massachusetts' forests,

Your friends in the Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network

************************************

[This from Mass Forest watch]:

For background regarding commenting on the "Forest Future Vision" recommendations,

please see: www.maforests.org/Handout.pdf


Please be sure to submit written comments regarding protecting public forests,
watersheds and parks by February 22, 2010 by sending an email to: MODRDCRFFVP@umb.edu

Written comments are essential to ensure your
comments are included in the record.



For a reminder of why your voice is needed see:

www.maforests.org/QUABBIN.pdf and www.maforests.org/

Groundhog Day Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Happy Groundhog Day! We leave poor Punxsutawney Phil to his lame-ass jailers (unless some liberation is afoot, let us know!) and get the real story on woodchucks from Christine Maher at the University of Southern Maine. Her primary research focuses on woodchuck behavior and ecology. We'll also have a look at woodchucks being captured and used as lab experiments and the all-out war on chucks by suburbanites. Did we say Happy Groundhog Day? How about Happy Imbolc? It's the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Groundhog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth. Now you know! As always, we checkout the latest news in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber; checkout Obama's record in our Meet the New Boss segment, do some E-Valley-uation, and go for the Quote of the week, but first it's time for.............
Revenge of the Critters! You guessed it: Groundhog attack! A little correction here, the critter in the film "Caddyshack" was a gopher from the family Geomyidae. Groundhogs, or woodchucks are from the family Sciuridae BUT several ground squirrels of the family Sciuridae are often called gophers.....got it?

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we rewind Grist's coverage of the RFK, Jr. vs. Don Blackenschtick debate on mountain-top removal. Finally, some good news! It looks like the Cap & Trade charade may be kicked to the curb in the Climate Bill!

The Quote of the Week: "The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men". ~Alice Walker

In our Meet the New Boss segment let's checkout Obama's enviro report card. It looks like The One is just an average student (Huh? We thought he was the smartest guy in the room??) BUT he aced the test on energy efficiency!

Then it's time for some E-Valley-uation! Worried about that clunky old Vermont Yankee nuke just over the border leaking Tritium into the groundwater? Imagine if your kids attended the Vernon Elementary School across the street or if you happened to live along the Connecticut River? (ahem!). Read more here. This from Northampton Media: Noho Board of Public Works bails on that bogus landfill extension over the Barnes Aquifer BUT not without saying it would've been safe! (pass the hot-air sickness bag again!).

"O Groundhog" by Lisa Loeb from "Catch The Moon" takes us to our interview with Christine Maher.

Finally it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday February 3 , 7-8:30pm, The Biomess & Green Jobs. Mary Booth, Jon Weissman & others consider the issues. Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, 24 Miles St, Greenfield. Call (413) 773-7427).

Friday Feb 5 - Sunday, Feb 7, A Feast of Lights, The Clarion Hotel, 1 Atwood Dr. (just off of I-91), Northampton. A festival of community, hope, Earth spirituality, and the arts taking place at the ancient Celtic midwinter festival of Imbolg. The Stag King's Masque, a masquerade dance and ritual performance on Saturday night, February 6th, is a journey into another realm. Come in costume. Call 413-238-4240.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. MA State Department of Conservation and Recreation public forum on recommendations on the best way to manage forest lands within the state parks system. Whoa! Do we have input!! Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst. Call 617-626-1453

Saturday Feb. 13, 1 - 2pm. Moose on the Loose. Come learn about the effects of: urban sprawl on moose; the changes in the moose range; and the overall biology of the moose. Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A, Turners Falls. Call (413)863-3221.

Saturday, February 13, 8 to 10 a.m. Winter Nature Walk. Get out on a winter Saturday and see what is happening in nature in the cold. We will explore a portion of the Quabbin Reservation. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Saturday, February 13, 1-5 pm. Awakening the Dreamer. 2nd Congregational Church, Greenfield. Through videos of indigenous leaders, activists, philosophers, and scientists the workshop will help participants awaken from the seductive trance of unlimited progress, private interest and unrestrained growth and material accumulation and help us reconnect with the earth and reclaim our future. Call (413)773-7004

Friday, Feb 19, 9 AM to 2:30 PM. Do you know any young men or women who would benefit from the opportunity to learn green jobs skills? The program will begin February 19th and candidates should sign up now by calling The Brick House at 413-863-9559 or emailing jlibby@brickhousecommunity.org.

Saturday March 6, 8 pm, Burrito Rojo in Turners. Tom Neilson's new CD release gig. Call (413)863-3111

Saturday, March 13 at 9am. Mountain Justice Spring Break 2010. "Stand in solidarity with communities impacted by dirty coal!"Southwest Virginia. Email: mdriggs[at]gmail[dot]com or call (508)361-0136

We do believe that is all for now. Next time it's our Department of Consternation and Reprobation (DCR) show. F'get about conservation & recreation! This is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! Until then, remember: listen to your Mother!

The Attack of the Frankentrees Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings! So, you thought trees were all good huh? We'll checkout the ones that come out of corporado labs with Anne Peterman, Executive Director of Global Justice Ecology Project and Coordinator of the Stop GE Tree Campaign. Did we mention their goal of prohibiting the ecologically and socially devastating release of genetically engineered trees into the environment? No? That's ours too! As usual we'll be checking out the latest news in The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and our E-Valley-uation segment as well as the Quote of the Week, but first it's time for... Revenge of the Critters! When trees attack! Trees are vicious, if you give them enough time. Check out this collection of photos of trees swallowing up everything in their path.

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes from John Muir: "A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, every fiber thrilling like harp strings, while incense is ever flowing from the balsam bells and leaves. No wonder the hills and groves were God's first temples, and the more they are cut down and hewn into cathedrals and churches, the farther off and dimmer seems the Lord himself."

"If I don't take care of the land" by Sarah Barchas takes us to the Enviro Show Echo Chamber where we checkout a piece in Salon on the deforestation of Haiti. Wonder who had a hand in that! O, and speaking of deforestation: how about King Coal blowing the tops off mountains down south and dumping them into rivers and streams! Guess what, scientists don't think that's such a good idea. Umm...go science? Duh! Apparently, the folks at Wendy's think it's a good idea. They're putting signs in their windows promoting.....are you ready?..."Coal for Kids!" Sign a petition to Boycott Mt. Removal Supporters HERE. And this: Senator Murkowski (R - Alaska) is trying to roll back the Clean Air Act! Finally, from Climate IMC a report-back on that Carbon Traders Ball.

In our E-valley-uation segment we have an Enviro Show Blog Bonus! Checkout the pedal plow the folks from Mass. Bike sent along. No carbon footprint to speak of AND great workout on those calves!

Following our conversation with Anne Peterman we'll stroll over to the Bus Stop Billboard and read about some events:

Saturday, January 23, 1 to 2pm. All About Beavers. Great Falls Discovery Center. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls. Call 413-863-3221

Sunday, January 24, 2 to 4 p.m. ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSE EXPLORATION AND AFTERNOON TEA. Built in 2007, the house incorporates a number of energy-efficient technologies including geothermal heat pump, photovoltaic panels, good insulation, and passive solar heating. Pre-registration is required; please call The Hitchcock Center for the Environment at (413) 256-6006.

Friday Feb 5 - Sunday, Feb 7, A Feast of Lights is a festival of community, hope, Earth spirituality, and the arts taking place at the ancient Celtic midwinter festival of Imbolg. It brings together a wide range of teachers, performers and artists who join with all of the gathering's participants to create a celebratory, stimulating and fun weekend to kindle the fire within during the dark of winter. The Stag King's Masque, a masquerade dance and ritual performance on Saturday night, February 6th, is a journey into another realm. Come in costume. Call 413-238-4240.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. MA State Department of Conservation and Recreation public forum on recommendations on the best way to manage forest lands within the state parks system. Whoa! Do we have input!! Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst. Call 617-626-1453

Saturday March 6, 9 pm, Burrito Rojo in Turners. Tom Neilson's new CD release gig.

Saturday, March 13 at 9am. Mountain Justice Spring Break 2010. "Stand in solidarity with communities impacted by dirty coal!"Southwest Virginia. Email: mdriggs[at]gmail[dot]com or call (508)361-0136

So much for the likes of us this week. Next time it's our Groundhog day special. Stay tuned and remember to listen to your Mother.

NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE TO CARBON TRADING CALL TO ACTION: NEW YORK CITY, JAN. 9-13

THE FUTURE OF EARTH IS NOT FOR SALE!

NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE TO CARBON TRADING
CALL TO ACTION: NEW YORK CITY, JAN. 9-13

CONFRONTING THE SOURCE OF COPENHAGEN'S FAILURE

Saturday, Jan 9, 10am-5pm: Nonviolent direct action workshop
and strategy session

Sunday, Jan 10, 6:30pm-8:30pm: Panel discussion "Selling
the Sky: Carbon Trading and the Failure of Copenhagen"

Monday, Jan 11, 7 pm - 9:00 pm: Presentation: "From COP 15
to Climate Justice Movement"

Tuesday, Jan 12, noon: Press Event: Featuring renowned climate scientist DR. JAMES
HANSEN, and FATHER PAUL MAYER, of the Climate
Crisis Coalition

Wednesday, Jan 13, 11:30pm: Rally and protest action outside of
the 2nd Annual Carbon Trading Summit

Following closely on the heels of the failed UN Copenhagen climate
conference, the Second Annual Carbon Trade Summit will convene in New
York City, bringing together representatives of some of the most
polluting industries, industry associations, carbon financiers, banks,
government officials and corporate "big greens."
Participants will include executives from JP Morgan Chase, Goldman
Sachs, Duke Energy, and many more.
Seehttp://www.iglobalforum.com/conference_live.php?r=22&p=home

Here they
will discuss how to take advantage of the emerging carbon markets.
Under a veneer of greenwash, they will be determining ways to ensure
that marketable allowances for greenhouse gases (a.k.a.,
"cap-and-trade" schemes) remain the centerpiece of global
climate policy.

Never before in history has the need for a grassroots resistance
movement been more urgently needed. Climate scientists now tell us we
are on course for 4 to 7 degrees of warming in the coming century, a
death sentence for much of life on this planet, including human
populations starting with the most vulnerable. If the climate movement
is going to have any chance for success, it must confront the true
source of this emergency. Placing the future of life on the altar of
market fundamentalism is a path to annihilation.

Join us and take a stand for climate justice!

*Nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience workshop
WHEN: Saturday. Jan. 9 from 10am to 5pm
WHERE: The Change You Want To See Gallery: 84 Havemeyer St. (at
Metropolitan Ave), Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
http://thechangeyouwanttosee.org

**Panel
Discussion: "Selling the Sky: Carbon Trading and the Failure of
Copenhagen." With Dr. Michael Dorsey, Professor of
Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College, Cecil Corbin-Mark of West
Harlem Environmental Action (WEACT) and Brian Tokar of the Institute
for Social Ecology. (also invited but not yet confirmed: Patrick Bond,
University of S Africa and Joan Yang, Deputy Ambassador from
Palau)
WHEN: Sunday Jan. 10, at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Unity Hall, 235 W. 23rd St., between 7th and 8th Avenues (1, C,
E, F, or V train to 23rd St.)

***Presentation and discussion: Climate Change: From COP15 to
Climate Justice Movement, with Tina Gerhardt (journalist,
academic, activist just returned from Copenhagen)
WHEN: Monday Jan 11 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bluestockings Bookstore, 172 Allen Street (between Houston and
Delancey)

**** Tuesday, Jan 12 at noon: Press Event: Featuring renowned climate scientistDR.
JAMES HANSEN andFATHER PAUL MAYER, founder of
the Climate Crisis Coalition and representing concerned members of the
religious community.

***** Rally and protest outside of the Carbon Trading Summit (Embassy Suites Hotel)
WHEN: Wednesday Jan. 13th, 12 noon
WHERE: Irish Hunger Memorial Park
(Nearest stop:
World Trade Center (E train): walk 1 block south to Vesey St.,
turn right (west), cross West St., and continue west past the Embassy
Suites Hotel to the Irish Hunger Memorial.
OR: From Chambers St. station (A, C, 1, 2, 3): 5 short blocks south to
Vesey St., continue as above.
OR: From City Hall station (R, W) or Park Place (2, 3): 2-3
blocks south to Vesey St., continue as above.


What is carbon trading and why is it a false solution that blocks
positive alternatives?
Corporations are claiming the atmosphere as a private commodity
and buying and selling "rights" to pollute it. Manipulation
of these "rights" - in combination with so-called
"offsets" (projects that claim to reduce emissions on their
behalf, but most often do not) - will allow the industry to stonewall
real pollution reductions for another 15 to 20 years, with devastating
consequences for all life on earth. Carbon markets in the European
Union have proven extremely volatile, prone to manipulation and
gaming, and they do not help reduce emissions.

Why would this stalling be dangerous and immoral?
The consensus of science is that we do not have time to waste. Tipping
points of runaway global warming are already being approached. It is
absolutely necessary that real pollution reductions begin immediately
and proceed expeditiously. It is grossly immoral to turn this greatest
threat to humanity into yet another economic bubble for Wall
Street.

How did corporate power sabotage Copenhagen?
The U.S. went to Copenhagen with an abysmally weak offer. Obama
claimed (incorrectly) that he could not go beyond the targets that had
been approved in the House of Representatives. At both the UN and
Congressional levels, this is the product of a corporate war on
reason, combined with lobbying in the extreme (e.g., 4-5 climate
lobbyists per member of Congress). They are blocking efforts to secure
a safe future, misleading the public about the seriousness of the
threat, and advocating persistently for so-called "market
mechanisms" as the only means to reduce emissions. These
corporations have a stranglehold on both the U.S. Congress and on
international climate policy.

What can we do?
Join the movement! Demand "system change, not climate
change"! As tens of thousands of people chanted a few weeks ago
on the streets of Copenhagen, "Our climate is not their
business!" Carbon trade won't save us: it's up to us.

Climate SOS, (http://climatesos.org) Beyond Talk (Climate Pledge
of Resistance), Institute for Social Ecology, The Change You Want to
See Gallery and others are gathering allies to protest this event. To
join this effort and take a stand for climate justice, for real
solutions, and for the future of our planet, please
contact: countercarbontrading@actforclimatejustice.org,
or visit us on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=263613903775&ref=nf

The Living Simply Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. How about a New Years resolution (or should that be revolution?) to live simply so others can simply live? Jonathan & Susan von Ranson call-in to talk about their efforts in Wendell. As usual we wander into the Enviro Show Echo Chamber for some recent news. Also we return to the Quote of the Week and our E-Valley-uation segment, but first it's time for.... Revenge of the Critters! alien carp turn the tables on fisherfolk & G-men!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber this op-ed in the New York Times reminds us that "To Save the Planet, [we must] Save the Seas!" (but watch that REDD hype!). Climate Indymedia tells us there's an Action in New York City against carbon trading corporados on January 12 & 13!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week comes short & sweet from south of the border:

"If the climate were a bank, the US would have saved it." - Hugo Chavez

"Let's Go Swimming" by emma's Revolution takes us to our E-Vally-uation segment where we direct you to Bob Leverett's powerpoint presentation: The Special Public Forests of Massachusetts. This will be required reading for all Enviro Show listeners. Yes, there WILL be a quiz.

Then it's on to our interview with Jonathan & Susan who have actually had a bit of a struggle trying to live simply. Gosh, you'd think it would be simple! One of the issues we'll be discussing is energy use per person on a global scale.

Posted on the Bus Stop Billboard you'll find:


Thursday, January 7, 7:30pm. emma's revolution will appear at the Echo Lake Concert Series, in the Leverett Town Hall, 9 Montague Rd., Leverett. More info: 413-548-9394 and go to www.emmasrevolution.com

Friday, January 8, 7:00pm. Fighting the Massachusetts Chainsaw Massacre! Speakers Chris Matera and Dave Gafney of Massachusetts Forest Watch Presentation with photos. Media Education Center 60 Masonic St, Northampton. Learn about the clear cutting of State public forests, watersheds and parks, and the latest developments surrounding proposed wood burning Biomass plants in Western Massachusetts.

Today through January 13. “Step It Up to Shut it Down” A Winter’s Walk From Brattleboro to Montpelier to tell the Vermont Legislature to “Retire Vermont Yankee!” and Replace it with Safe, Renewable Power Sources. Sponsored by the Safe & Green Campaign. Call: (802) 254-9098 or email: safeandgreenwalk@gmail.com. More information is available at www.safeandgreencampaign.org.

January 12-13th the Second Annual Carbon Trade Summit will be convened in New York City, bringing together representatives of some of the most polluting industries, industry associations, carbon financiers, banks, government officials and corporate "big greens." Participants will include executives from JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Duke Energy, and many more. To join this effort and take a stand for climate justice, for real solutions, and for the future of our planet, please contact: countercarbontrading@actforclimatejustice.org

Friday, January 15, 7:30PM. Charlie King, Karen Brandow and Kim and Reggie Harris will rock Greenfield's St. James Church (8 Church Street) to celebrate and benefit the work of organizations such as National Priorities Project, Traprock Peace Center, AFSC, Arise for Social Justice and Jobs with Justice. Concert information: NPP, 413.584.9556, jo@nationalpriorities.org and www.nationalpriorities.org.

Fridays, January 8-February 12. NATURE DISCOVERY PRESCHOOL: WINTER WONDERS (Ages 3-5). Each day will include a combination of hands-on activities, songs, stories, games, movement and crafts. This program is designed for children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. The group will go outside for a short exploration each day unless temperatures are extreme. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006. Partial scholarships may be available. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street, Amherst.

Friday Feb 5 - Sunday, Feb 7, A Feast of Lights is a festival of community, hope, Earth spirituality, and the arts taking place at the ancient Celtic midwinter festival of Imbolg. It brings together a wide range of teachers, performers and artists who join with all of the gathering's participants to create a celebratory, stimulating and fun weekend to kindle the fire within during the dark of winter. The Stag King's Masque, a masquerade dance and ritual performance on Saturday night, February 6th, is a journey into another realm. Come in costume. Call 413-238-4240.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. MA State Department of Conservation and Recreation public forum on recommendations on the best way to manage forest lands within the state parks system. Whoa! Do we have input!! Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst. Call 617-626-1453

That's it for the first show in 2010. We guess we should start the New Year out correctly by reminding you to listen to your Mother! Next time it's the Attack of the Frankentrees (and this time we REALLY mean it!)

Another Winter Solstice Enviro Show...only better

Greetings Earthlings. Happy Winter Solstice to you and yours! Yes, it's old-time religion time; not the far-right's "War on Christmas" blather so much as a look at the very real ongoing War on Paganism! Laura Wildman, Priestess and Third Degree, Gardnerian Witch joins us along with our old friend and Mass Earth First!er, Penny Novack to celebrate The Winter Solstice. Sorry, we'll probably be fully clothed and bonfires are not allowed in the studio, but we'll do our best to do justice to all things pagan. As always, we checkout The Enviro Show Echo Chamber, the Meet the New Boss segment and E-Valley-uation, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! Penguin attack!. That'll teach you humans to warm the globe!

Topping off The Enviro Show Echo Chamber: a brief review of the Saturday, December 12 Mass march at the COP-15 UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen outside and inside out! Then on Wednesday, December 16 the Reclaim Power Action made their long way to the Bella Center where the summit is taking place. Checkout this slideshow and the Guardian's coverage. Also, this must-read from George Minbiot.

Our E-Valley-uation news comes from the Biomess struggle. The Manomet greenwash....err...we mean white paper on so-called biomass "sustainability" had its coming out party last Thursday in Holyoke. Glen gives us the report-back.

Then it's time to Meet the New Boss once again (yes, we know, the same as the old boss...almost). The news is: EPA's Secret Plan to Raise Public Radiation Exposure Levels Challenged. That would be Obama's EPA . How about this headline: "Salazar Approves Arctic Oil Drilling Plan as He Prepares Keynote at Copenhagen"? It gets worse: read Obama's Big Sellout in the new Rolling Stone.

Turtle's "We all come from the Goddess" takes us to our conversation & Solstice celebration with Laura & Penny. Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

January 2-13.“Step It Up to Shut it Down” A Winter’s Walk From Brattleboro to Montpelier to tell the Vermont Legislature to “Retire Vermont Yankee!” and Replace it with Safe, Renewable Power Sources. Sponsored by the Safe & Green Campaign. Call: (802) 254-9098 or email: safeandgreenwalk@gmail.com. More information is available at www.safeandgreencampaign.org.

Friday, January 15, 7:30PM. Charlie King, Karen Brandow and Kim and Reggie Harris will rock Greenfield's St. James Church (8 Church Street) to celebrate and benefit the work of organizations such as National Priorities Project, Traprock Peace Center, AFSC, Arise for Social Justice and Jobs with Justice. Concert information: NPP, 413.584.9556, jo@nationalpriorities.org and www.nationalpriorities.org.

Fridays, January 8-February 12. NATURE DISCOVERY PRESCHOOL: WINTER WONDERS (Ages 3-5). Each day will include a combination of hands-on activities, songs, stories, games, movement and crafts. This program is designed for children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. The group will go outside for a short exploration each day unless temperatures are extreme. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006. Partial scholarships may be available. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 525 South Pleasant Street, Amherst.

We are done for '09. Next year it's Living Simply with Jonathan & Susan. Until then remember: listen to your Mother....ok? We'll go out with "The Old Ways" by Loreena McKennitt. HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!!

The Sanitized Biomess Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Sick & tired of dirty old biomass incineration? Looking for a cleaner image? New terms? How about biomass pellets? Meg Sheehan calls in once more to cast more sunlight on the Biomess. In our E-Valley-uation segment local liberal pols climb in bed with the developers! We'll check-in with The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and "Meet the new Boss", but first it's time for...Revenge of the Critters! Humboldt squid swim-in!

It's a Foursome in our E-Valley-uation Segment. The Montague Reporter informs us that the former Montague dump site once considered for a toxic ash dump may now be utilized as a solar energy site. Talk about best use! Also this: as reported in The Valley Advocate, some unlikely local reps seem to be greasing the skids for extermination of endangered species. We brought up this attack on the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act months ago but would anyone listen to a bunch of pagan dirt-worshippers like us? Hrrumph! Finally, can Co-op Power really pull-off a "sustainable" biomass pellet operation in Greenfield? Checkout the pitch here (scroll down a few paragraphs). We guess you can register your thoughts on their survey too, no? Hopefully we'll be getting a short call from Rev. Billy about the Shopocalypse and his gig in Greenfield on the 19th.

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber a bookish guy goes rogue on Palin(she of the wolf slaughter and countless other bad ideas). Also this: remember "The Story of Stuff" we linked to awhile back? Now it's The Story of Crap & Trade!

Our Meet the New Boss moment takes a brief look at what could well be Obama's Waterloo. Did you catch the West Point speech on Afghanistan? The U.S. isn't interested in other nation's resources?? Who knew!

Tom Neilson's Biomess song (which we can't play enough) takes us to our interview with Meg. Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, December 9th, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Transition Towns. Northampton Friends Meeting, 43 Center St., Suite 202. Transition Towns is a rapidly growing model for pulling a community together toward sustainable, joyous living. The goal is to get everyone involved in building a life that where we meet local needs locally, phase out the use of fossil fuels and other technologies that threaten the environment, and break through the isolation and separation that modern society have brought about.
For more information call 582-6700

Friday, December 11, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM on the Amherst Town Common: Candlelight Vigil on Climate Change. See: http://amherst350.org

December 12th: Global Day of Action - demonstrations in 106 countries on climate change. Go HERE.

Saturday, December 12, 1-2pm. All about snow! What is snow and why is it important to so many living things? Have you ever wondered about the beautiful patterns of snowflakes? Come learn the answers to all of these questions. Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A, Turners Falls. Ph 413.863.3221

Saturday, December 19, 2:00pm. Mass. Christmas Revival with Rev. Billy! Greenfield All Souls Church, 399 Main Street, Corner of Hope and Main, Greenfield

Monday, December 21, 12:47pm.: Winter Solstice!

Saturday, December 19, 1-2pm. How to identify trees. Come learn how to identify a tree without its leaves. You will learn about tree shape, bark, and buds of our local trees. This presentation is geared towards folks 12 years of age and older. Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A, Turners Falls. Ph 413.863.3221


January 2-13. “Step It Up to Shut it Down” A Winter’s Walk From Brattleboro to Montpelier to tell the Vermont Legislature to “Retire Vermont Yankee!” and Replace it with Safe, Renewable Power Sources. Sponsored by the Safe & Green Campaign. Call: (802) 254-9098.

That'll hold you 'til next time, yes? Hopefully our Winter Solstice Show won't leave you cold (groan). Until then, remember: listen to yur' Mother!

Checkout This Bod Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. It's time once again to checkout our toxic bodies on The Enviro Show, this time with Nena Baker, author of "The Body Toxic". Toxic rubber duckies for the kids! ARRGGHHHH! As usual, we'll also checkout The Enviro Show Quote of the Week, The Enviro ShowEcho Chamber, our "Meet the New Boss" segment and then some. but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! A seasonal special: Turkey takes its toll!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber folks are sleeping around in the climate crisis! And this: 50% of U.S. warming due to land use changes. Speaking of global warming, check this old ad for Humble Oil (now Exxon/Mobil) pulled out on Grist. Finally, we checkout a recent frontpage New York Times piece on the myth of carbon offsets for air travel. Come Fly with Me? No thanks, Frank!!

Time to Meet the New Boss! Shall we take the high road with Bill McKibben, or the full monty with veteran journalist Robert Scheer?

For our Enviro Show Quote of the Week we go for the wayback machine again for a word from Thomas Carlyle:

"Not what you possess but what you do with what you have, determines your true worth."

A few short notes in our E-Valley-uation segment: WMass goes East for N30!. Also, a brief report on resistance to the proposed biomass plant for Springfield. And, Rev. Billy, The Stop Shopping Gospel Choir and The Not Buying It Band! remind us to "Stop Shopping" for corporate crap on Black Friday.....especially!


After our interview with Nena Baker, author of "The Body Toxic" we head over to the Bus Stop Billboard:

*

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Greenfield Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing at the Greenfield Police Station Meeting Room located at 321 High St. to review a Notice of Intent submitted by Pioneer Renewable Energy, LLC, for property located with the public Rights of Way at the intersection of French King Highway (Route 2A), Route 2, Adams Road, Greenfield.

Thursday, November 26, 12 Noon - 40th Annual Day of Mourning. Cole’s Hill (the hill above Plymouth Rock) Plymouth, MA. For More Information Contact: United American Indians of New England/LPSG 617-522-6626 info@uaine.org www.uaine.org Pot-luck Social to Follow

Friday, November 27, All Day! Buy Nothing Day.

Friday, November 27, 7pm. Screening of “A Killer Bargain” investigates the toxic conditions for impoverished workers in Indian sweatshops manufacturing textiles for customers in the developed world. Media Education Foundation (behind the Woodstar Cafe on Masonic St., Northampton). Northampton Committee to Stop War.

Saturday, November 28, 1-2pm. Wildlife Tracking. Learn the basics of how to identify what animals left those tracks behind. You will learn how to identify track features and track patterns. You will also be able to test your knowledge at identifying select wildlife tracks. This program is designed for individuals new to wildlife tracking. Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A, Turners Falls. Call: 413-863-3221

Monday, November 30. N30 is the 10th anniversary of the WTO shutdown in Seattle and is exactly one week before the climate talks in corporatehaven..err..we mean Coppenhagen. Actions in Boston! See: http://massclimatejustice.org/. Or call: 413-522-7505

Tuesday, December 1, 11am. Environment Committee hearing will be held in Hearing Room A-2. State House, Boston. Bills of interest: *H 759*, sponsored by Rep. Kocot, relative to wood burning electricity producing biomass combustion facilities and their potential impact upon the air, water and population of the Commonwealth; *H 778*, sponsored by Rep. Kulik, for legislation to regulate commercial water storage and bottling.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7 pm, The air permitting hearing for the Springfield Pioneer Renewable Energy Construction and Demolition Debris Incinerator at the Kennedy Middle School, 1385 Berkshire Ave., Springfield. Call (413) 455-3829.

That's about it for the likes of us. Have a truly thankful holiday and remember to.....LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!

The Crap & Trade Carbon Copy Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Once again, it's time to checkout our CO2 emissions. We're told they're getting a bit out of hand. The average U.S. citizen is responsible for 19.8 tonnes per person per annum. Michael Despines, Climate Resilience Campaign Coordinator at Friends of the Earth joins us to talk about the climate bill in congress and other such mind-numbing matters. In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we scope out the upcoming N30 actions, among other things. There's the Quote of the Week to deal with as well as our E-Valley-uation segment, but first it's time for...Revenge of the Critters! Another listener submission folks, but you'll need to access to cyberspace for this one. Talk about being the butt of all elephant jokes!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week is a rerun of Al Gore's call to action on the climate crisis: "I can't understand why there aren't rings of young people blocking bulldozers and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants." Well actually, Al.....there are! Where are you??

That's a fitting segway into our Enviro Show E-Valley-uation segment and The Enviro Show, LLC's proposal to blow the top off Mt. Tom! and dump it in the reservoir. Sadly, when we sent out our press release for that highly beneficial example of economic development for the Mt. Tom Reservation no one belived us! What's THAT about?? Speaking of mountaintop removal, if you go here you can take action to help stop it (maybe by...umm..2011??).

Tom Neilson's Mountain-top Removal song takes us to The Enviro Show Echo Chamber where we bring you back to the 350 Reasons Carbon Trading Won't Work. Checkout our new interactive pages here. We had 100 people, from 6 continents and 13 countries working on the project. Back to the drawing board Senators Kerry & Boxer! Also, it appears that Ben Wright has Been Wrong about First Nations spiritual practices. The spokes for Environment Massachusetts seems to believe Native people don't speak for themselves and that Wampanoag spiritual practices are ...."pure farce"? Checkout our response here. And, the EPA agrees to cut toxic emissions at power plants.....eventually. Finally, Climate change: The carbon trading debacle.

Global Warming Remix by Avril Lavigne rocks us into our interview with Michael Despines. Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Sunday, November 15, 11am. Biomass Yes/Biomass NO! Speakers at the Bernardston Untitarian Church across from the Sunoco Station on the corner of Rte 10 & Depot Streets.


Wednesday, Nov. 18: 6 - 7:30: Springfield Public Health Council meeting, Pine Point Citizens Council, 335 Berkshire Ave. Springfield. Proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomess plant. Contact: plpare@comcast.net

Wednesday, November 18, 7-9 p.m. Forests of Wonder. Join Bob Leverett, co-founder and Executive Director of the Eastern Native Tree Society, as he takes us on a virtual tour of his favorite woodland haunts. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Thursday, November 19, 7 - 8:30pm. The Nature of New England. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls. A strong emphasis in the program is on the perceptions people have in favor of some groups of animals (like birds) at the expense of other equally interesting ones (like snakes). How various groups survive the winter season is also spotlighted. Call: 413.863.3221

Thursday, November 19, 7:30pm. Ramona Peters, "Columbus & Thanksgiving - A Native Perspective". Leverett Town Hall.

Saturday, November 21, 1 - 2pm. Wild About Turkeys. Why were turkeys reintroduced into the area? What roles do they play in the ecological system as well as being Thanksgiving dinner? Come join Tasha Daniels, at the Great Falls Discovery Center. Call: 413.863.3221

Friday, November 27, All Day! Buy Nothing Day.

Monday, November 30. N30 is the 10th anniversary of the WTO shutdown in Seattle and is exactly one week before the climate talks in corporatehaven..err..we mean Coppenhagen. Stay tuned for an action in Boston.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7 pm, The air permitting hearing for the Springfield Pioneer Renewable Energy Construction and Demolition Debris Incinerator at the Kennedy Middle School, 1385 Berkshire Ave., Springfield.

Enough! Next time it's Nena Baker on the Body Toxic (no, it's not some garage band....yet). Until then remember to listen to your Mother......ok?

Environment Massachusetts treading troubled water

Ben Wright of Environment Massachusetts (the home of MASSPIRG's environmental work) sent out an alert on November 3, 2009 to the groups mailing list titled "The cynical ploy to take down Cape Wind". Wright puts the onus of the "ploy" on the anti-Cape Wind group, The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, but it is Wampanoag spokespeople in both Mashpee and Aquinnah who are making the statement that Horseshoe Shoals is sacred. The Alliance is merely repeating what the native people are saying. That being the case, is Ben Wright going to state that First Nations' claim of Horseshoe Shoals being sacred "is pure farce"?

Wright goes on to say: "Furthermore, the Native American tribe that is working with the Alliance to block Cape Wind recently proposed their own off-shore wind project just hundreds of yards from a real national historic site off of the Gay Head cliffs on Martha's Vineyard." That may be so, but that site is not being identified as sacred, nor would it interfere with their "Eastern Door", the unobstructed view of sunrise so integral to Wampanoag spiritual practices.

Perhaps Ben Wright is not familiar with Native spiritual practices, perhaps he doesn't care. Whatever the case, respecting First Nations and their belief systems, especially given the long history of genocide and repression of them by non-natives, is right up there with other aspects of overcoming racism.

We all want safe, renewable energy, but not at any cost. Ben Wright and Cape Wind proponents need to temper their zeal and get real.

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See: http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/10/26/2_tribes_object_to_cape_wind_turbines/

Enviro Show, LLC Proposes Mountaintop Removal for Western Mass!

A proposal to remove the top few hundred feet of Mt. Tom in Mt. Tom State Reservation in Holyoke, MA was made public today by the Enviro Show, LLC. Mr. Glen Ayers, spokesperson for the company stated: "We are not sure exactly what important geologic materials are buried deep inside of Mt. Tom, but it could be something that is needed somewhere in the world, and who ever needs it should not be concerned about the impacts that blowing off the top of this mountain will have on our local environment."

The proposed operation would remove the top part of the mountain with explosives to get at the deeper, economically important geologic
materials. Ayers said the Old Growth Forest and the excess overburden from the blasting could be bull-dozed and dumped into the Whiting Street Reservoir which is conveniently located down hill, providing plenty of capacity for spoil materials and any associated toxic wastes that the mining will generate. The project is seen as a boon to economic
development in the region.

Ayers noted that "Immediately next to the Mt. Tom State Reservation is the Mt. Tom Power Plant on the banks of the Connecticut River, which gets its coal from mountain top removal operations in Central Appalachia, burning 1,200 tons every day to generate CO2 and 146 Megawatts of much needed electricity. That coal is delivered by 80-car long trains, directly from the mines in places like Rawl, West Virginia". Ayers says that mountain top removal has become an accepted practice and that it will benefit the community through the creation of jobs and eventual recreation
opportunities on the leveled area.

"This represents a good business opportunity", says Ayers. "We are looking for smart investors, and expect the State of Massachusetts and the Patrick Administration to fully support this important effort to improve the economy of the Pioneer Valley. Public lands are special places that should be used to benefit society, industry, and the local economy. Such uses have a long and proud history in the Valley."


The Enviro Show, LLC, plans for this site include creating a large flat treeless expanse that will better support future development
opportunities. Some ideas that may be pursued on the reclaimed site are community or private football and athletic fields, golf courses,
cross-country skiing, community gardens, parkland and open space, and solar panel arrays, making this proposal a truly "green" opportunity. Its win-win-win for everyone!

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For more information contact Glen Ayers at The Enviro Show, LLC
413-834-5729

The Freakin' Fund Drive Frankentree Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Time to pay the piper AND prepare for upcoming Halloween festivities. Anne Peterman of Global Justice Ecology calls in with scary tales of the FrankenTrees!. But, even scarier than that: we pitch and pitch and pitch until YOU, dear listener, surrender to our siren call. Yes, we're in a.....ahem....GRAVE situation here and need YOUR support! Valley Free Radio can't continue to serve you with excellent award-winning shows like The Enviro Show without your contributions. If your reading this on our blog PLEASE go HERE and donate today. We'll have more of that and some frightening news but first it's time for.... Revenge of the Critters! Spiders in Texas build MONSTER WEB. Don't get caught up in it!!

After we pitch, pitch, pitch for a spell we'll lay The Enviro Show Quote of the week on you thus:

"The cloning of humans is on most of the lists of things to worry about from Science, along with behavior control, genetic engineering, transplanted heads, computer poetry and the unrestrained growth of plastic flowers” - Lewis Thomas

We may never get into The Enviro Show Echo Chamber what with all our begging for donations, but if we did we'd be sure to tell you about Bill Gates pimping for biotech! Of course, the BIG news is all the 350.org events all over the planet (not to mention all over The Valley!). Least we fall under the spell of certain hero worshipper types, bear in mind it was the people who made all this possible. No single person can save the world.....except maybe Clark Ken.....err...I mean, Superman. Also this: The Yes Men have been working overtime these days. The faux New York Post (ugh!) during the UN Climate Summit; the Chamber of Commerce media heist at the National Press Club, and now a DC costume part, just in time for Halloween! AND this: 350 Reasons Crap & Trade won't work!

The "Climate Mash" will rock us to our E-Valley-uation segment where we may have some clips from the 350 Climate Action Carnival in Greenfield on hand. Maybe we'll play one for each $50 pledge that comes in? That's called.....what? an incentive? a bribe? We will, of course, have time for this: The Stop Spewing Carbon signature drive is critical for the ecological health of the Commonwealth. We need to collect 100,000 signatures by Nov. 16 from Massachusetts registered voters and we need YOUR help. If we get the needed signatures we can get a question on the ballot in 2010 to limit CO2 emissions from biomass incinerators. Go HERE to learn more. Big news for our local Biomess from Princeton science geeks!.

"Biotech is Godzilla" by Sepultura takes us to our interview with Anne Peterman and the Attack of the Franken Trees! Everyone run for your lives! Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Thursday October 29, Noon. Billionaires for Wealthcare at Monarch Place, corner of Main St and Boland Way in Springfield. Monarch Place houses Health New England. (And Bank of America too!). Billionaires For Wealthcare describe themselves as “a grassroots network of health insurance CEOs, HMO lobbyists, talk-show hosts, and others profiting off of our broken health care system. We'll do whatever it takes to ensure another decade where your pain is our gain. "Counter demonstration" called!

October 30, All Day. End Mountain Top Removal Day of Action. EPA Offices Boston and The Enviro Show just may have a local event in mind too! Go to www.mountainjustice.org/

Saturday, October 31, 1 to 2pm. Bats are Cool! Great Falls Discovery Center. Avenue A, Turners Falls. What do you really know about bats? Are they really the scary creatures that a lot of folks think they are? Come by and learn some very interesting facts about them and while you're here, pick up a Halloween Treat!

Monday Nov 2, 7pm. Public hearing relating to the Biomess. Greenfield Middle School, Federal Street, Greenfield. This could be the last chance to be heard by the town.
Go to: www.greenfieldbiomass.info


Tentative: Tuesday Nov 3 6:30 p.m. Greenfield Economic Development Committee Water supply Agreement Lease of space for Installation of Pump(s) at WPC Plane. Greenfield P.D.

Wednesday Nov 4 6:30 p.m. Greenfield Ways and Means Committee. Water Supply Agreement. Lease of Space for Installation. Greenfield P.D.

Sunday, November 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hike the Holyoke Range with Ted Watt. Hitchcock Center for the Environment. Ted's areas of special knowledge include plants and birds. Identification, inter-relationships, life histories and special adaptations of theliving things we find will deepen our awareness of the beauties and complexities of the natural world around us! Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Tuesday Nov 10, 6pm? Greenfield Town Committee Meeting. Greenfield Middle School (tentative venue). Matters related to Pioneer Renewable Energy on the agenda and most likely voted on. Check CCFC site for updates: http://www.greenfieldbiomass.info/

Thursday, November 19, 7:30pm. Ramona Peters, "Columbus & Thanksgiving - A Native Perspective". Leverett Town Hall.

OK, was that a treat? What? You thought it was a trick?? Well, trick or treat, we'll be back next time with A Friend of the Earth checking out the atmosphere. Sooo, if you're going out for some Halloween fun remember....listen to your Mother.

Phony Remedies - The Climate Crisis & Snake Oil on Blog Action Day

Leave it to Washington and the corporados to come up with bogus responses to something as critical to our survival as the Climate Crisis. Like with the present health care reform debacle, decision-makers in DC and their sponsors in the insurance racket....did I say racket?...industry have come up with a host of half-measures and false solutions to the crisis in health care. Of course, their idea of reform is all about their own self-interest and continued over-the-top profits and perks. Surprise! Capitalism at its worst. OK, so it's no surprise. Likewise, their remedies for the GREATEST THREAT TO THE PLANET are pretty much useless.

Most members of Congress, firmly in the pocket of Big Oil and other energy interests, have been advocating "cap and trade" (crap and trade, actually) schemes as a way to reduce human-caused carbon emissions that are trashing Earth's atmosphere. Some believe these schemes will actually be worse than doing nothing and the movement grows to defeat them. In addition, it is believed that crap & trade could lead to another economic meltdown. So, what about a carbon tax? Dems are loath to advocate for ANY sort of tax increase, given that the Repugnicans will jump all over them and use "tax & spend Dems" as their mid-term elections theme. However, there's a lot going for this approach.

There is no shortage of other bogus schemes to address the Climate Crisis. Naturally (or should we say UN-naturally?) the biotech industry has climbed on-board the global warming gravy train. But perhaps so-called "biomass" seems to have gotten the most attention lately of a good many energy developers, as well as desperate greenwashers in government. These people claim industrial-scale biomass incineration is "carbon neutral". That might fly IF you had all the time in the world. We don't. A full-blown move to what we call The Biomess could also lead to massive deforestation; just the thing we DON'T need at this point in time given that forests CAPTURE carbon!

Of course, King Coal wants in on the action. Their snake oil comes in the form of such greenwashing schemes as "clean coal" and "carbon capture & storage". And, least we forget the worst of the worst, much of our coal comes from the clever use of explosives and massive machinery that blows off the tops of mountains and.....are you ready?....dumps them in streams! Mountaintop removal is such a bad idea it's hard to fathom what sort of thinking lies behind it.

Finally, an old Enviro Show favorite, Cape Wind and other promoters of industrial-scale wind plants have touted their plans for erecting massive windmill arrays as a remedy for the Climate Crisis. We call Cape Wind the "Right project in the WRONG place" not only because it calls for the corporate privatization of The Commons (Nanutucket Sound), but also because it is proposed to be sited next to The Great Atlantic Flyway (would you believe?) and because the Wampanoag Nation identifies the site as sacred land. Actually, windpower IS one of the rational remedies for the Climate Crisis, but it's important that such operations are carefully sited and are scaled to local energy needs.

Did somebody say energy CONSERVATION? How quaint! Yes, far tooooooo little attention is being paid to conserving energy here in the U.S. Truly, government, industry and even Big Green are guilty of putting energy conservation and efficiency on the back burner while pushing snake oil schemes like some of those above on us marks in the crowd. Given the critical time frame we face it's time to prioritize conservation and lifestyle change. It's also time to resist phony remedies.