Climate Change

Are you a climate nihilist? Author Jonathan Franzen wrote a piece for the New Yorker arguing that it’s time to spend more effort preparing for climate catastrophe, and less effort to stopping it. Franzen argues that humans are not going to do what is necessary to prevent devastating global warming. He wonders why there isn’t more conversation about this, and what it means.

But climate policy experts respond that Franzen has botched some of the key facts to understanding climate change, and they argue that his position is a dangerous one. We debate it:

• Genevieve Guenther, founder and director of EndClimateSilence.org 
• Reverend Shari Halliday-Quan, senior minister at First Unitarian Church of Rochester
• Abigail McHugh-Grifa, executive director of the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition

Democratic Rep. Joe Morelle announced Wednesday that he is taking action on climate change.

“There is no greater threat facing humanity, and there’s probably never been a greater threat ever to face humanity," Morelle said.

Morelle said he is sponsoring the Climate Emergency Resolution that Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced last month. He’s also endorsing multiple environmental bills.

New York State passed a climate action bill this week, much to the surprise of some advocates who had feared that it would stall. So what’s in it? Our guests discuss the surprise success of the bill, and what New Yorkers can expect from the most aggressive anti-carbon plan in the country.

• John Keevert, member of the Environment/Climate Task Force at First Unitarian Church of Rochester
• Sue Hughes-Smith, environmental educator, and founding member of the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition
• Mark Dunlea, executive director of the Green Education and Legal Fund
  

A new book called “Paying for Pollution” makes the case for a carbon tax in America. Author Gilbert Metcalf is an internationally-recognized expert on climate policy and carbon taxes. He’s currently a professor of citizenship and public service and economics at Tufts University.

Metcalf is in Rochester as a guest of the World Affairs Council to discuss climate change policy and the Green New Deal, but first, he joins us on Connections.

Governor Andrew Cuomo says a climate action bill is not among his priorities for the final days of the legislative session. And while some Democrats in Albany are pushing to pass the Climate and Community Protection Act, it appears that the session will end without significant climate action.

Our guests discuss their views on what the state could do to address climate change. They also discuss their expectations for state action, given complete Democratic control.

• Sue Hughes-Smith, environmental educator and founding member of the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition
• Mark Dunlea, executive director of the Green Education and Legal Fund

Conversations about plastic pollution often center around their impact on the world’s oceans, but what’s happening in our own backyard? Plastics and microplastics are imposing environmental pressures on the Great Lakes. From organic and inorganic pollution, to the threat of invasive species, to climate change, plastics are threatening the fresh water demands of many communities that rely on the lake system.

This hour, we’re joined by scientists who help us understand the current state and health of the Great Lakes and what’s at stake. We also preview Earth Day events happening at the College at Brockport. In studio:

• Sherri "Sam" Mason, sustainability coordinator for Penn State Behrend
• Jim Haynes, professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Ecology at the College at Brockport
• Jamie Spiller, professor of modern U.S. history and environmental history at the College at Brockport
• Tammy Bleier, graduate student at the College at Brockport studying microplastics in the Great Lakes. and founder of Plastic Lakes Project
  

Can American free enterprise solve climate change? It's a question that will be addressed in an upcoming forum with former Republican Congressman Bob Inglis. He’ll be in Rochester on Wednesday as a guest of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club.

Inglis joins our panel to discuss possible climate policies, a carbon tax, and more. Our guests:

• Bob Inglis, former Congressman and executive director of republicEn
• Linda Isaacson-Fedele, member of the Rochester People's Climate Coalition leadership team and the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club
• Peter Debes, vice chair of the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club
• Marc Cohen, chief of staff for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
• Jose Fernandez, president of the University of Rochester College Republicans
  

Rochester native Mary DeMocker fell in love with nature as a young child, and now, she’s an author and climate activist. In her new book, “The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution,” she offers guidance and tips for families as they attempt to curb climate change.

DeMocker is in Rochester for a series of events. She joins us in studio for the hour to discuss her work.