Thank you for this, Bill. Pope Francis made me more open-minded about religious leaders: good to hear his follower is on same track.
"Leo called for putting “pressure on governments to implement more rigorous regulations, procedures, and controls” because “only then is it possible to mitigate the damage done to the environment.” = should be shouted from the rooftops.
As a liberal minister who long ago left my Catholic upbringing, I was grateful and impressed with Pope Francis. I'm relieved that Bob the Pope has continued on that noble path.
Compare this with the six conservative Catholic justices on the US Supreme Court. They tend closer to those Catholics of the past who cooperated with the Nazis. Religion co-opted to serve evil governments is an old problem and potential danger. Witness the evangelicals adulating an obvious anti-Christ.
I'm relieved and proud of Pope Leo, especially for his care for our actual environment and society. When a religion loves this Earth, I'll cheer it on.
thank you for putting Pope Leo's climate event center and front. Like any group of humans, even the immense Catholic church embraces people with fierce opinions across a vast spectrum. let's hope that his advocacy leads the way to the whole church working together to hold the line on climate change.
On another subject that you mentioned: the mosque being built in Abu Dhabi. I was struck that the architects used various sophisticated work-arounds to maintain a stable temperate temperature within the structure. This reminded me of the far less complex but equally effective "cooling chambers" and "cooling pots" that i saw across the sahel but mostly in Mali, to maintain a cool temperature for preserving fresh fruit and veggies. made of clay with sacking and/or sand and an understanding of exchange dynamics.
I admired your courage in admitting that you could giggle. The next knock on your door will be J.D. Vance and Pete Hegseth, co-leaders of the manosphere.
Thank you, Bill McKibben. On a dreadful day in a dreadful week, ICE sirens blaring in downtown Chicago, this 91-year old is cheered by your report. My contribution is GOTV postcards to Democratic voters, in the hope of retuning some sanity to US.
I was surprised to read about the UKs small farms being taken over by Big companies (much like ours have been and will continue with the targeted ruin of family farms by this regime). Citizens are banding together to try and buy land to promote small, organic farms in a cooperative way. This is good for farmers, provides healthy food for the public, as well as being good for the environment. The US needs to do more of this as well. Trump's cadre of anti-environmental followers seems determined to create a desert of this nation, starving the US and the planet as well as the people who inhabit it. As a former Catholic, I do admit to a love of Pope Francis and am pleasantly surprised and encouraged by Pope Leo. Now if they would only tone down the patriarchy.
Much of the political inertia or frank obstruction to progress is attributable to the confusion and curated ignorance about climate science of a large segment of the American people. This is the expected result of sadly successful campaigns by fossil fuel interests and right wing media. It is imperative to counter those misinformation campaigns. Bill McKibben, other writers and non-profit organizations simply do not have the "weight" to counter those well-funded campaigns. Corporate interest do have that "weight." That ia why this point is so critical: "It’s time for solar and wind executives to stop pleading with MAGA Republicans and start telling Americans the real story,..." The corporations offering a future of non-destructive energy sources should challenge MAGA Republicans openly and vigorously.
This non- Christian has been attracted to the words and behavior of Pope Francis and continue to find hope for future Church teachings following Pope Leo’s unifying words.
Here Bill McKibben describes how “… in the most explicitly political section of his talk Leo called for putting “pressure on governments to implement more rigorous regulations and controls” because “only then is it possible to mitigate the damage done to the environment.” Read this, I think, as a reaction to EPA secretary Lee Zeldin, and his grubby March announcement of the “greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen.” His purpose, Zeldin smirked, was to “drive a stake through the heart of the climate change religion,” which has become the go-to phrase for the collection of grifting mediocrities now making American energy policy. Today, the guy who’s got more claim than anyone else on earth to actually being in charge of religion told him in the kindest possible most pontifical way that he’s out of line.”
Where can I find a list of the absurd notions and false info on the ways solar panels inflict damage on farmland and other sites/habitats? A teacher on plants at a master rain garden class I’m taking insinuated that solar panels inflicted more unacceptable damage. I immediately objected, but I’d like to have more evidence to show next time. I will share what I’ve learned from HERE COMES THE SUN (required reading), but a longer list that includes all the benefits from the shade and protection the panels provide close to the equator would be super helpful.
I'm certain there's more. I’ve driven past farms with agrivoltaics. Wide areas between the panels where sun-loving crops are growing, and shade-loving plants planted beneath the panels.
Wow. That's remarkable progress. I was dismayed to see the renewed emphasis on fracking and EPA's pulling back of regulations on flaring. I think one of the more proximate tipping points is already begun: melting of permafrost and release of Methane. That's going to accelerate the greenhouse effect even faster.
Transcript now available https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/october/documents/20251001-conferenza-mariapoli.html
Thank you for this, Bill. Pope Francis made me more open-minded about religious leaders: good to hear his follower is on same track.
"Leo called for putting “pressure on governments to implement more rigorous regulations, procedures, and controls” because “only then is it possible to mitigate the damage done to the environment.” = should be shouted from the rooftops.
As a liberal minister who long ago left my Catholic upbringing, I was grateful and impressed with Pope Francis. I'm relieved that Bob the Pope has continued on that noble path.
Compare this with the six conservative Catholic justices on the US Supreme Court. They tend closer to those Catholics of the past who cooperated with the Nazis. Religion co-opted to serve evil governments is an old problem and potential danger. Witness the evangelicals adulating an obvious anti-Christ.
I'm relieved and proud of Pope Leo, especially for his care for our actual environment and society. When a religion loves this Earth, I'll cheer it on.
Good reporting, Bill. I'm proud of you, too.
thank you for putting Pope Leo's climate event center and front. Like any group of humans, even the immense Catholic church embraces people with fierce opinions across a vast spectrum. let's hope that his advocacy leads the way to the whole church working together to hold the line on climate change.
On another subject that you mentioned: the mosque being built in Abu Dhabi. I was struck that the architects used various sophisticated work-arounds to maintain a stable temperate temperature within the structure. This reminded me of the far less complex but equally effective "cooling chambers" and "cooling pots" that i saw across the sahel but mostly in Mali, to maintain a cool temperature for preserving fresh fruit and veggies. made of clay with sacking and/or sand and an understanding of exchange dynamics.
I admired your courage in admitting that you could giggle. The next knock on your door will be J.D. Vance and Pete Hegseth, co-leaders of the manosphere.
Thank you, Bill McKibben. On a dreadful day in a dreadful week, ICE sirens blaring in downtown Chicago, this 91-year old is cheered by your report. My contribution is GOTV postcards to Democratic voters, in the hope of retuning some sanity to US.
I was surprised to read about the UKs small farms being taken over by Big companies (much like ours have been and will continue with the targeted ruin of family farms by this regime). Citizens are banding together to try and buy land to promote small, organic farms in a cooperative way. This is good for farmers, provides healthy food for the public, as well as being good for the environment. The US needs to do more of this as well. Trump's cadre of anti-environmental followers seems determined to create a desert of this nation, starving the US and the planet as well as the people who inhabit it. As a former Catholic, I do admit to a love of Pope Francis and am pleasantly surprised and encouraged by Pope Leo. Now if they would only tone down the patriarchy.
Much of the political inertia or frank obstruction to progress is attributable to the confusion and curated ignorance about climate science of a large segment of the American people. This is the expected result of sadly successful campaigns by fossil fuel interests and right wing media. It is imperative to counter those misinformation campaigns. Bill McKibben, other writers and non-profit organizations simply do not have the "weight" to counter those well-funded campaigns. Corporate interest do have that "weight." That ia why this point is so critical: "It’s time for solar and wind executives to stop pleading with MAGA Republicans and start telling Americans the real story,..." The corporations offering a future of non-destructive energy sources should challenge MAGA Republicans openly and vigorously.
So encouraging to read this: thank you.
This non- Christian has been attracted to the words and behavior of Pope Francis and continue to find hope for future Church teachings following Pope Leo’s unifying words.
Here Bill McKibben describes how “… in the most explicitly political section of his talk Leo called for putting “pressure on governments to implement more rigorous regulations and controls” because “only then is it possible to mitigate the damage done to the environment.” Read this, I think, as a reaction to EPA secretary Lee Zeldin, and his grubby March announcement of the “greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen.” His purpose, Zeldin smirked, was to “drive a stake through the heart of the climate change religion,” which has become the go-to phrase for the collection of grifting mediocrities now making American energy policy. Today, the guy who’s got more claim than anyone else on earth to actually being in charge of religion told him in the kindest possible most pontifical way that he’s out of line.”
Thank you. I really needed this today.
Where can I find a list of the absurd notions and false info on the ways solar panels inflict damage on farmland and other sites/habitats? A teacher on plants at a master rain garden class I’m taking insinuated that solar panels inflicted more unacceptable damage. I immediately objected, but I’d like to have more evidence to show next time. I will share what I’ve learned from HERE COMES THE SUN (required reading), but a longer list that includes all the benefits from the shade and protection the panels provide close to the equator would be super helpful.
Agrivoltaics (solar+farming) is big business, and many farmers like it, because it provides a guaranteed income.
Some links:
https://cleantechnica.com/2024/07/15/agrivoltaics-conserve-precious-water-for-arizona-farmers/
https://cleantechnica.com/2024/01/02/solar-panels-agrivoltaic-saffron-usa-vermont/
For a number of stories: https://cleantechnica.com/?s=agrivoltaics
From other sources:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0364-5 “Agrivoltaics provide mutual benefits across the food–energy–water nexus in drylands”
From DoE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (currently up): https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/agrivoltaics-solar-and-agriculture-co-location
From Penn State: https://extension.psu.edu/agrivoltaics-what-does-that-mean
From Farmland Trust, which is working to preserve farmland, and is in favor of agrivoltaics:
https://farmland.org/blog/aft-releases-policy-recommendations-to-advance-agrivoltaics
https://farmland.org/smart-solar
https://farmland.org/files/aft_final_policy_recommendations_to_increase_agrivoltaic_development_definition_and_incentives_final-2.27.25.pdf
I'm certain there's more. I’ve driven past farms with agrivoltaics. Wide areas between the panels where sun-loving crops are growing, and shade-loving plants planted beneath the panels.
Thank you, Jeff!!
Glad to help. The more word of the economic benefits of renewables gets out there, the more people will turn towards them to save money.
Oh, and they also reduce CO2 emissions. Bonus.
Great resources, Jeff. Here is another:
https://farmingdale-observer.com/2025/05/22/1700-sheep-installed-between-solar-panels-a-surprising-change-observed-in-the-animals/
Best words Bill has written ( not to take away the millions of other good words he has written).
I call the Pope "Papagapi". And am launching AgapeCool to help stop the heat. I got the name from my thoughts on John Paul II.
“You can lead people to data, but you can’t make them think.” Thanks, Bill. I think this will be my new motto.
The sky 💥 is 🍁🌠 falling 🤢. 🐔 Chicken 🍗 Little was right. That's why he ❌🤞 crossed the 🛣️ road.
Here comes the SUN ☀️😎🌻‼️ It's all right 👍
Wow. That's remarkable progress. I was dismayed to see the renewed emphasis on fracking and EPA's pulling back of regulations on flaring. I think one of the more proximate tipping points is already begun: melting of permafrost and release of Methane. That's going to accelerate the greenhouse effect even faster.