Five issues that will shape the news of 2015 - The Climate Minute Podcast

New post on Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) Five issues that will shape the news of 2015- The Climate Minute Podcast by massclimateaction What are the underlying issues that will drive climate progress in 2015? We discuss a Congress that denies global warming, low oil prices, the Trans-Pacific partnership, upcoming negotiations in Paris, and the impact of the Pope's views on global warming. First, we note that Cape Wind is in jeopardy. There seems to be enough momentum behind the wind industry the progress in other areas is likely. Congress is targeting the Keystone pipeline. Read Dave Roberts who says about the whole controversy that "This is the first time since cap-and-trade that the movement defined a clear fight specifically about climate. They picked something Obama could block and then set out making the case that he should block it. It was something that could could have passed without a blink from anyone, and they charged it with meaning. They marched, protested, organized, wrote, and marched some more. They got big money to enter political races behind the issue. They got key allies to speak out against it. They've managed to delay and delay it. They even got Obama to say that he'll reject it if it has any impact on greenhouse gases. (Imagine that standard applied to all future infrastructure projects!)" It seems the President will veto the bill, but this is just the beginning of a long fight. Bill McKibben said "This is a tribute to the millions of people who have made this one of the center pieces of a fast growing climate movement. So far their desire to protect the land and climate have been a match for the fountains of dirty money that constitute the oil industry's only real argument." If you want to find your rep's phone number, click here, for your Senator, click here. Robert Reich says this about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) "Even better for global companies, the tribunal can order compensation for any lost profits found to result from a nation's regulations. Philip Morris is using a similar provision against Uruguay (the provision appears in a bilateral trade treaty between Uruguay and Switzerland), claiming that Uruguay's strong anti-smoking regulations unfairly diminish the company's profits. What does the acronym INDC mean? "Intended Nationally Determined Contributions." Say that three times fast! It is a statement of how much carbon each country will promise to cut in the preparation for negotiations in Paris at COP21 next December. Pope Francis is said to be preparing an important statement on climate next year, but will likely anger some conservatives. Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon. Thanks for listening. …Ted McIntyre massclimateaction | January 9, 2015 at 6:57 am | Tags: Cape Wind, Climate Change, COP21, global warming, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, Pope Francis, TPP | Categories: Climate Action | URL: http://wp.me/p14L3C-12m Comment    See all comments    Like Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/five-issues-that-will-shape-the-news-of-2015-the-climate-minute-podcast/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

Mass Climate Action Network

You can listen to the podcast here or download it to your mobile device

To frack, or not to frack? - The Climate Minute Podcast

New post on Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) To frack, or not to frack?- The Climate Minute Podcast by massclimateaction Things wrapped up in Lima at COP20 with an agreement that is either good or inadequate. However, Greenpeace apparently went too far and desecrated a famous archeological site in the Andes. This raises questions about the 'cultural cluelessness' of some activists. Take for example the on going discussion about the Black Lives movement, environmental justice and Climate Hawks. There was lots of activity on the energy-in-politics front, see NY Guv Cuomo's decision to ban fracking – did it all start in Dryden? Senator McConnell's plan to vote on KXL (and the 350.org response. ) Lobsterboat DA's mayoral win A new carbon proposal in the state of Washington The President's declaration on Bristol Bay The collapse of the Russian ruble in part from low oil prices. Lots to think about, but remember, this is the Winter Solstice , and longer days are coming. Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon. Thanks for listening. …Ted McIntyre massclimateaction | December 19, 2014 at 8:57 am | Tags: 350.org, carbon tax, Fracking, global warming, Keystone XL | Categories: Climate Action | URL: http://wp.me/p14L3C-127 Comment    See all comments    Like Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:  http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/to-frack-or-not-to-frack-the-climate-minute-podcast/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

screen grab of the Mass Climate Action Network page

You can follow the link above to listen or listen right here (31 minutes)

The Climate Minute Podcast: Breakthrough in China

massclimateaction posted: "The US and China set targets for carbon emissions. This is a big deal, since it boosts the international negotiations already in progress, put political pressure on other nations and undercuts the arguments against US action. Here are some links: " Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) Breakthrough in China-The Climate Minute Podcast by massclimateaction The US and China set targets for carbon emissions. This is a big deal, since it boosts the international negotiations already in progress, put political pressure on other nations and undercuts the arguments against US action. Here are some links: The official While House statement a brief summary from Naomi Klein ThinkProgress on why it is a "game changer" and what China will need to do. Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon. Thanks for listening. …Ted McIntyre massclimateaction | November 14, 2014 at 7:15 am | Tags: china, Climate Change, global warming, President Obama | Categories: Climate Action | URL: http://wp.me/p14L3C-11G Comment    See all comments    Like Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:  http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/breakthrough-in-china-the-climate-minute-podcast/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

You can listen to the podcast by following the links above or listen here

Threat Multiplication: The Climate Minute Podcast

massclimateaction posted: " Here are some links to the DOD report on climate and our military, Exxon's anti-divestment blog calling the movement out-of-touch, the original of Paul Krugman's article, with a reply by Dave Roberts at GRIST and a link to the Post-Carbon Institute we" Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) Threat Multiplication: The Climate Minute Podcast by massclimateaction Here are some links to the DOD report on climate and our military, Exxon's anti-divestment blog calling the movement out-of-touch, the original of Paul Krugman's article, with a reply by Dave Roberts at GRIST and a link to the Post-Carbon Institute website. Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon. Thanks for listening. …Ted McIntyre massclimateaction | October 17, 2014 at 7:37 am | Tags: Climate Change, climate news, global warming, threat multiplier | Categories: Climate Action | URL: http://wp.me/p14L3C-11l Comment    See all comments    Like Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:  http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/10/17/threat-multiplication-the-climate-minute-podcast/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

You can click through to view the post on the MCAN page or listen to the podcast here:

Julia Roberts is Mother Nature (video)

Julia Roberts is Mother Nature





For more info on climate change you can visit the Mass Climate Action Network for their weekly summary of what's happening:
http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/the-genie-is-out-of-the-bottle-the-climate-minute-podcast/

You can listen to the weekly summary here:

Mass Climate Action Network

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the Franklin Matters webpage to view the embedded content (video,audio and documents)

Franklin Democratic Town Committee: Clean Air presentation

FRANKLIN DEMOCRATS TO TACKLE CLEAN ENERGY

The wild weather patterns of the last several months will provide a unique backdrop for a presentation on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Plan in Franklin. When the Franklin Democratic Town Committee meets on Monday, September 12 at 7 pm, local physicist Ted McIntyre will give a presentation on the plan which was launched in December 2010. The Franklin Committee welcomes anyone who is interested in this topic to attend the meeting.  

The 136-page Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 contains a "portfolio" of established and new measures that reduce energy waste, save money, and stimulate the adoption of clean energy technologies, thereby creating jobs at the same time that they reduce GHG emissions. It is estimated that 42,000 to 48,000 jobs would result from full implementation of the plan in 2020, both jobs that fill every niche in the clean energy supply chain – electricians, installers, researchers, architects, manufacturers, plumbers, energy auditors, technicians, and scientists – and jobs throughout the economy as lower fossil-fuel energy expenses lead to more spending on in-state goods and services. 

"There are many excellent reasons to support the plan, but here is one jaw-dropping reason to back it: $22 billion dollars," noted McIntyre.  "That is how much money leaves Massachusetts each year to pay for the coal, natural gas and petroleum we use." 

McIntyre is the President of the Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) and presents frequently on the topic.  In addition to his work with MCAN, McIntyre helped establish the Franklin Area Climate Team. As a physicist, McIntyre is currently working to develop advanced equipment for use in the manufacture of computer chips. He holds seven patents and has authored more than twenty technical publications.  

The clean energy plan "lays out an ambitious but practical framework to continue – and accelerate – the Commonwealth's transition to clean energy," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs-designate Rick Sullivan. "I look forward to maintaining this momentum as our state distinguishes itself as the national leader on clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions." 

The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), signed by Governor Deval Patrick in August 2008, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, and requires the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to set a legally enforceable GHG emissions limit for 2020 of between 10 percent and 25 percent below 1990 levels by January 1, 2011, and to issue a plan for achieving those reductions while growing the clean energy economy. 

"Massachusetts has already taken great strides in energy innovation, sparking a clean energy revolution in the Commonwealth and getting us two-thirds of the way toward 25 percent lower emissions by 2020," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles. "I am confident we will meet the 25 percent limit I set today with a portfolio of policies that build on reforms made to date, launch practical new initiatives on a pilot basis, and generate cost savings and jobs." 

In other business, the Franklin Democrats will continue reaching out to Franklin residents who are interested in running for one of the 35 positions on the town committee next March.  Nomination papers will be available for signing at the September 12 meeting.  The committee will also discuss the upcoming Senate race in Massachusetts and the current slate of candidates who are poised to take on Scott Brown in 2012. 

The Franklin committee normally meets on the second Monday of the month in the training room on the third floor of the Franklin Municipal Building. For more information on the Democratic Party or any of their meetings, please contact Jeffrey Roy at jroy@ravechroy.com or check out the FDTC website at www.franklindemocrats.com. 

To learn more about the Clean Air plan, go to http://www.mass.gov/green/cleanenergyclimateplan or http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/.