The MCAN Climate Minute - Cliff Notes

Good morning from the pink and orange coffeehouse.  So, Fiscal Cliff averted, at least for the time being but what about the climate cliff?  Well, it's cold enough this morning that we're ready to declare victory over Global Warming... Just kidding!  This week we talk production tax credits, deathbed conversions, and the return of the Massachusetts legislature. Click on the “MCAN Climate Minute” picture to the right to start the recording in a new window. Here’s more information about some of the things we talked about in this edition of the Climate Minute: We touched on Rep. David Deier's "deathbed conversion" to climate believer from lousy climate voter in a blog earlier this week.  For a borderline wonky discussion of the wind production tax credit extension, check out PeakOil.com's writeup.  Dave Roberts over at Grist is proclaiming that 2013 will be a huge year for wind due to the extension of the credit and the equally cloudy outlook for the future of the credit. Governor Chris "Never a Dull Moment" Christie was reduced to blasting away in a press conference as the House dallied on Sandy relief. Thought we were free of fiscal cliff talk?  Well, only for a couple of months.  As The Economist points out Congress and the president merely put off a couple of thorny issues, including the debt limit and fund sequestration which are yet to be resolved. This does give us some hope that a future deal may include some form of carbon tax, which as Elizabeth Kolbert of the New Yorker points out in an excellent new piece, is still gaining traction on both sides of the philosophical (if not political) aisle. For a more pessimistic view of what the Fiscal Cliff issue says about our (in)ability to deal with the Climate Cliff, Joe Romm has an excellent piece up at Climate Progress. Monday will see the release of the latest Transportation Finance Commission report detailing possible solutions to the state's transportation morass.  More funding is a generally accepted need for everything from the MBTA to the state's crumbling bridges and roadways.  The Governor says he will be keeping his powder dry until his State of the State address in a couple of weeks, but look for rampant speculation as to which increased taxes or new funding sources will be recommended. For more information and to sign up for buses to the Portland, Maine pipeline protest, check out 350MA's page here.  Check out the MCAN calendar for upcoming climate-related events including our January climate education meeting when it is announced, and for more information on the Northeastern University's "Climate Change. Challenges.  Solutions" open classroom series, go here.  In addition the Northeastern Environmental Law Society is hosting a series of evening lectures on climate and energy issues this winter as well. (Can you tell who's a proud alum?) A huge "thank you" to all those who donated in December helping MCAN achieve it's best donation month ever.  We're 18.75% to our goal of $40,000 for the 12 months from December '12 to December '13.  If you haven't been able to give yet, please consider clicking that big, blue button at the end of this post.  Your tax deductible donation will go help fight climate change on the local level throughout Massachusetts. Finally, we at MCAN extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and loved one of Rebecca Tarbotton, the executive director of the Rainforest Action Network who passed away in a swimming accident in Mexico the day after Christmas.  She will be missed but her impact will continue to be felt for years to come. Well, that's it for this week.  As always -- remember, for these reasons we have discussed, the United States must place a price on carbon.  Have a great weekend, stay warm, and we look forward to talking with you again next week!