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Showing posts with label GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS. Show all posts

Friday, February 4, 2022

Invasion of the Snake Worms

 

 
 


The greatest threat to our native species and natural communities is not just climate change; it's also invasive species. In Massachusetts, 69 plant species out of 2263 have been recognized as invasive. Some were brought in as ornamentals such as yellow iris, multiflora rose, winged euonymus, kudzu, and bittersweet. The bad news is that these non-native plants can out-compete, displace, and kill our native species.

Invasive plants are not the only problem, Antonio. Ecosystems around the globe are suffering from invasive animals too. Topping the Most Wanted Removed List in my home state of Massachusetts are zebra mussels, spotted lanternflies, the box tree moth, and poisonous caterpillars. The Asian longhorned beetle infested and caused the removal of 29,000 trees in Worcester, and the gypsy moth defoliated 923,000 acres.

But there's one invasive animal that is turning heads (and stomachs!) in the Massachusetts legislature: The snake worm. The jumping snake worm is voracious and wiggles vigorously. It consumes organic matter more rapidly than do common worms, grows twice as fast, and reproduces more quickly. Snake worms can be a problem in forests when they rapidly consume and deplete organic matter in the soil. The loss of organics harms native plants, soil invertebrates, salamanders, birds, and other animals.

Massachusetts isn't the only state affected by invasive species like the snake worm. This is happening all over the country! In December, I virtually testified in the Massachusetts State House and submitted a letter urging legislators to support H.999/S.563 — An act responding to the threat of invasive species.

The invasive species bill will help municipalities access resources and increase coordination between agencies, manage invasive species programs in smaller communities, and coordinate comprehensive bioregional programs because invasive species do not respect municipal boundaries. The bill also establishes an Invasive Species Trust Fund for municipalities, non-profit organizations, regional entities, and state agencies to fund their invasive species programs.

All of us are in the landscape now, cohabiting communities with plants, microbes, invertebrates, and vertebrates. If we are going to protect our precious ecosystems and stop the rapid warming of our planet, we must act to take better care of nature in all its forms.

Rob

P.S. We depend on grassroots donations to keep the wheels rolling at Global Warming Solutions. Please donate $10 to support our work to stem the tide of climate change, protect the Ocean, and protect our precious ecosystems.

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Sunday, September 5, 2021

Tell Gov. Baker: No Fossil Fuel Plant in Peabody!

 


 
 


For years, Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) has been moving forward with plans to build a fossil fuel, gas-powered peaker plant in Peabody, Massachusetts. Local residents never heard about it. Many local and state officials didn't hear about it. It was as if MMWEC was trying to sweep the building of the fossil fuel plant under the rug of the entire community of Peabody.

With climate change and pollution continuing to threaten entire communities—the last thing Massachusetts needs is to build a new carbon-polluting fossil fuel plant.

Last month, Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law the Next Generation Roadmap. The bill sets a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, directs state municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and requires state agencies to do the proper outreach to local communities. MMWEC didn't inform the local community or stakeholders, and never issued a health impact statement or an environmental impact statement.

Make no mistake: The Peabody peaker plant is in direct conflict with the Next Generation Roadmap. Gov. Baker must step in and stop the Peabody plant from being built. Sign the petition now!

We recently joined forces with a number of environmental justice groups and sent a letter to Gov. Baker, urging him to step in and stop the Peabody plant from being built. MMWEC plans to build the fossil fuel plant adjacent to wetlands and tidal lands where the Danvers River meets Salem Sound.

Building a fossil fuel-fired 55MW peak capacity generator makes zero sense when a battery powered facility on Monterey Bay, CA, led to the closure of 3 nearby peak capacity generators powered by fossil fuels. You'd think MMWEC, with some of the highest percentages of renewable energy, wouldn't attempt to break the law of the Next Generation Roadmap.

The residents of Peabody deserve so much better. Gov. Baker must step in and do the right thing. Add your name to tell Charlie Baker: Stop MMWEC from building a new fossil fuel plant in Peabody, Massachusetts!

Rob


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