The Climate Minute: Spring Forward!

Did you know today was the start of Spring?  Well, it is.  Spring is here, budding trees, blooming flowers, the whole shebang.  That snow out there?  Pay no attention... it's spring I tell you... As always, click on the “MCAN Climate Minute” picture to the right to start the recording in a new window. Yes, March 1st is the start of meteorological spring, which runs from March 1st to June 1st.  The meteorological seasons correspond to temperature norms, where the more recognized astrological seasons (in which springs begins with the vernal equinox on March 20th) are based on the planet's position relative to the sun. Actually to us the beginning of meteorological spring means it's nine days to the the MCAN conference.   That's right, the annual MCAN conference is Sunday, March 10th, at Northeastern University.  We're thrilled to have Mayor John Fetterman of Braddock Pennsylvania as our keynote speaker.  Mayor John is on the cutting edge of creative thinking about urban communities and epitomizes the determination to improve those places around us that motivate MCAN activists. Here are some links to go along with our talk this morning. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was in town at the offshore wind conference and reaffirmed that the Interior Department was set to auction offshore wind leases along the Atlantic seaboard.  Administration officials  believe there may be up to 1 million megawatts of capacity offshore.   The bad news in Secretary Salazar's speech was that the sequester could delay permitting of renewable facilities by the Interior department.  As you know, March 1st brings not only spring, but the onset of the federal budget sequester.  Barring a last minute deal, the budget sequester will go into effect at or near midnight tonight. The sequester, the across the board arbitrary verying percentage (generally 8.2% for discretionary spending and around 9% for military spending) cut in all federal programs, will hit everything from the military to state and federal environmental programs. The sequester will not impact the MCAN conference however.  You have heard we're having a conference, right?  There's still time to register for the conference here.  And hey, its Daylight Savings Time again -- so remember to set your clocks ahead Saturday night ("spring ahead, fall back") or you'll be late to the conference! It's been a pleasure sharing climate news and views with you as always.  You know, you can subscribe to our iTunes feed and get our podcasts automatically here.  Feel free to give us your thoughts on our Facebook page, or through old-fashioned email. Remember, for climate activities near you check out our MCAN climate action calendar.  You can enter events as well as browse for interesting things to do. As always -- remember, for these reasons we have discussed, the United States must place a price on carbon.  See you next week.