Archives for Climate Change

WERU Special 7/18/19: “Chemicals Hacking Hormones and Fueling Epidemics” -a talk by Dr. Leonardo Trasande

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Audio recorded by: Matt Murphy

“Chemicals Hacking Hormones and Fueling Epidemics”, a talk by Dr. Leonardo Trasande at the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill on July 3, 2019. Dr. Transande is an internationally recognized expert on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and the author of the book Sicker, Fatter, Poorer: The urgent threat of hormone- disrupting chemicals to our health and future, and what we can do about it.

Maine Currents 5/2/19: Green New Deal Proposed for Maine

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Listen as Representative Chloe Maxmin, sponsor of LD 1282 “An Act To Establish a Green New Deal for Maine”, presents the bill at a public hearing before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology last week, and members of the public testify, followed by updates from the subsequent work session and a comment from Maxmin on where things stand now.

Read the bill text here

More information about the Joint Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, and contact information for committee members can be found here

RadioActive 3/7/19

CMP Transmission Line’s Claims to Impact Climate and New Report on Trump Climate Rollbacks

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Today we look at a new report by the NYU School of Law’s State Energy and Environmental Impact Center that outlines the potential cumulative impacts of the Trump Administration’s proposed climate policy rollbacks. www.law.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/climate-and-health-showdown-in-the-courts.pdf
And we look at Central Maine Power’s proposed transmission line through Maine, its potential impacts and claims that it will beneficially address climate change.
We look at the impacts the CMP line would have on 263 wetlands, 115 streams and 12 inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat area, brook trout and other wildlife habitat, through cutting and herbicide application. We also examine the greenwash claims that the project would positively impact climate change and how Hydro Quebec’s power would block Maine generated renewable power from grid access, including solar.

Guests:
Neela Baerjee, Inside Climate News, Washington DC reporter insideclimatenews.org/news/06032019/trump-climate-regulations-rollback-cost-health-emissions-clean-power-plan-cars-oil-gas-methane
Nick Bennett, Natural Resources Council of Maine, staff scientist

CMP Transmission Line Proposal: A Bad Deal for Maine

RadioActive 2/28/19

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Combating Climate Change: Local and State Initiatives to Shift to Renewable Energy by 2030

a) Today we turn again to local and state initiatives to combat climate change. We speak with Gary Friedmann, of the Mount Desert Island organization A Climate to Thrive, on progress on MDI and on the work of the Maine Climate Action Coalition to shift Maine to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

b) Close to 200 bills related to climate will be before the Maine Legislature this session.
LD 658,?Reslove, To Direct a Plan for Energy Independence for Maine, Sponsored by Rep. Brian Hubbell had a hearing February 26th. Three bills will will receive a public hearing on March 13th. They are LD 893, 818 and 797.
www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_129th/billtexts/SP025901.asp
www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_129th/billtexts/SP025401.asp
www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_129th/billtexts/HP058501.asp

On February 28th, Governor Mills announced that Maine has become the 22nd state to join the United States Climate Alliance, whose members have committed to the Paris Agreement greenhouse gas emission reductions. Mills also announced the administration’s proposal for the Maine Climate Council, which would aim to shift the state to 80% renewables by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

c) Friedmann believes the bills to be heard on March 13th are a start, but must go further. He is not supportive of the CMP transmission line, and cautions care with wind projects. He does believe a dramatic acceleration of renewables and conservation in all sectors, including subsidized decentralized solar, will make the imperative goal of a 100% energy shift by 2030 attainable.

Guest:
Gary Freidmann, A Climate to Thrive board chair; Maine Climate Action Coalition; Chair of Bar Harbor Town Council www.aclimatetothrive.org/

Coastal Conversations 9/28/18

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Maine clams: what is causing their decline and how do we bring them back?

Why are clams declining? Rising sea temperatures, green crabs, milky ribbon worms.
What does the research show us? Over 99% of settled clams are being eaten (mostly by green crabs) before they reach 1 years old
What can we do about the decline? Options for changing management.

Guests:
Dr. Brian Beal — Professor of Marine Ecology at the University of Maine at Machias and Director of Research at the Downeast Institute.
Sara Randall — Associate Director of the Downeast Institute
Chad Coffin– Professional Clammer and President of the Maine Clammers Association

Maine Currents 9/6/18

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

The Public Speaks at “Maine Speaks on Climate and Cars: The Citizens’ Hearing”, an NRCM event held in Bangor on August 28th, 2018

In August, the EPA announced plans to weaken fuel efficiency standards by freezing them at current levels– rather than following rules passed during the Obama administration that would make them tougher over time. The plan would also prevent states from setting their own stronger standards (as many already have, including Maine). The stated rationale is that small cars are not as safe as bigger vehicles, and that stronger standards make vehicles more expensive. Critics of the proposal argue that pollution and climate change demand stronger, not weaker, laws. A 60 day period for public comment on the proposal is currently underway. Last week the Natural Resources Council of Maine held an event in Bangor called “Maine Speaks on Climate and Cars: The Citizens’ Hearing”, and recorded public comments to be shared with the EPA. Today on Maine Currents we bring you there. This meeting was held on an evening when poor air quality warnings had been issued for the following day here in Maine, a fact you’ll hear mentioned by some of the speakers.

FMI:

More info from the NRCM: Critics in Maine Decry Trump Administration Plan to Ease Rules for Auto Emissions and Efficiency- NRCM

More info from the EPA, including instructions for submitting comments: The Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Proposed Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 -EPA

RadioActive 8/9/18

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Union of Concerned Scientists on Heat Waves and Climate Change

Key Discussion Points:
a) Today we speak with the Union off Concerned Scientists’ senior climate scientist about climate change and extreme heat events, and what to expect if we do not curtail carbon emissions.
b) The Union of Concerned Scientists has just released two informational compilations/fact sheets on Heat Waves and Climate Change, where they distill the acceleration of extreme heat trends, their connection to human induce climate change and impacts on human health and infrastructure.
c) Based on a preponderance off evidence, these publications conclude if our carbon emissions continue at the current rate, most of the US could see an increase of 20 to 30 more days with temperatures above 90 degrees a year in the coming decades, with the Southeast experiencing a 40-50 day increase. The USC reports, do conclude, however, if global carbon emissions can be kept below 550 parts per million by the year 2100, the projected frequency of heat waves could be greatly reduced.

Guest: Dr. Rachel Licker, Union of Concerned Scientists, senior climate scientist