Climate Matters: Please don’t move the goalposts

Late January. By now most of us have already abandoned our New Year’s Resolutions to eat better, drink less, exercise more, be a better friend. Resolutions are hard to keep. It is hard because of inconvenience, ingrained habits, our inability to think about what is best for our future selves.

Climate Matters: Jared Duval, the Clean Heat Standard and Vermont’s transition away from fossil fuel

Mike Roy spoke with Jared Duval, an appointed member of the Vermont Climate Council who chairs the Council’s Science & Data subcommittee, about the wonky, but important, Clean Heat Standard that will be voted on by the state legislature in the upcoming le … (read more)

Climate Matters: Who knew? Doughnuts are actually good for us!

In her book “Doughnut Economics,” economist Kate Raworth proposes an alternative way to think about economics, and about how we organize our society.

Climate Matters: Big victories for greener energy in Vermont

The Legislature last week achieved several milestones on the way to reducing climate pollution — even in the face of Gov. Phil Scott’s best efforts to keep Vermont stuck in the age of fossil fuels.

Climate Matters: Thoughts on the birth of my first grandchild

Asa Caleb Crane was born a few weeks ago. He came into the world with a full head of hair, and on first impression an undeniable charisma, a full array of important moral virtues, and a calm but determined approach to the new world in which he found himse … (read more)

Climate Matters: While CO2 reduction effort progresses, more work is needed

While conservation and efficiency are important components of an overall strategy to get to our GHG reduction goal, we can’t get to an 80% reduction by conservation and efficiency alone.

Climate Matters: As climate crisis rages, Green Mt. National Forest misses the boat

It is widely understood that cutting mature forests is bad for the climate. Last year the public responded with over 1,300 comments against logging and less than 100 in favor. This was a record.

Climate Matters: False solutions or a greener path for Vt.?

This has been a brutal year for many Vermonters, with waves of extreme weather driven by climate change.

Climate Matters: It’s time to prepare for climate migration… now

I fear that, in some important ways, we Vermonters have our heads in the sand about climate change and its likely impacts. 

Climate Matters: A conversation with Rep. Amy Sheldon on the Renewable Energy Standard

The Renewable Energy Standard, passed by the state Legislature in 2015, sets targets for the amount of renewable energy used in Vermont, states how much of that energy must be generated in Vermont, defines what kinds of energy count as renewable energy, a … (read more)

Climate Matters: Planting helps the climate

The average first frost in Addison County typically comes in early October, but the current 10-day forecast for our area suggests our first frost will be delayed.

Climate Matters: What can I do about climate change?

If you Google “What can I do about climate change,” you will get millions of hits, with plentiful lists and sets of recommendations. The focus most often is on individual rather than collective action. 

Climate Matters: We can see clearly now

In Vermont, the scent of wood smoke on a late fall afternoon is an iconic smell. It’s not like that here today, in the first week of June — it’s more like sitting on the side of the campfire where the wind is blowing, but without any of the benefits of th … (read more)

Climate Matters: Food justice and climate resiliency

What do food justice and climate resiliency actually look like? Few can deny that one of Vermont’s best attributes is its commitment to locally grown food. 

Climate Matters: An ounce of prevention…

I don’t know if it’s just us Americans, or if it is a universal human trait, but we seem to prefer medical treatment over prevention.

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