January 22, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania. Bill Young and I are co-teaching. Bill is recovering from COVID right now, so I’m soloing. Today I gave an overview of climate impacts, actions taken, legislation, and climate models. There are 28 students in the class - many grad schoolers. Some of these look bored and tell me, “We know all this stuff.” So when I ask questions - not a single student could answer climate science, impacts or modeling questions . . . so, maybe they don’t know “all this stuff”. There are a couple shining stars that are very in-tune with the discussions.
January 29, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania. Bill Young and I are co-teaching, but Bill is not yet recovered from COVID. So - I dive into fossil fuels and emissions. The connectivity of all the issues is poorly understood by the students, but I’m giving them the information and peer reviewed articles for what I call their “Tool Kits” - important bits of information they can use in the future and on jobs.
January 31, 2024 (Wednesday) - Climate meeting at the New London library with CT Representative Aundre Bumgardner - Our bill with it’s new title: HB5004 “An Act Concerning the Implementation of Certain Climate Change Measures”. The main component are (1) declaration of a climate crisis; (2) update Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 with updated emissions goals; (3) DEEP to report on strategies for emissions reductions; (4) PURA to phase out natural gas; (5) Transportation decisions/permits/licenses track GHG emissions limits; (6) DEEP must publish info on the cost and sources of electricity in CT and EV power source information; (7) DEEP Commissioner may approve applications in sustainable practices and zero-carbon energy and efficiency projects; (8) Identify business fees that are appropriate for waiver for certified B-Corporations and farms that practice sustainability; (9) Establish a CT Clean Economy Council; (10) Establish a New Business Incubator for zero-carbon startup companies; (11) PURA shall expand the energy storage program to 1,000MW; (12) Grants for schools to install renewable energy (13) Green Bank additions; (14) Electrification of new or existing state buildings; (15) Use nature based solutions in state projects, and other pursuits. We are slowly gaining interest and co-sponsors.
February 5, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania.
February 12, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania.
February 14, 2024 (Wednesday) - Meeting with Rep. Christine Palm at the CT State Capitol in Hartford. Moving our climate bill forward.
February 15-19, 2024 (Thursday-19) - Anne and I travel to Borrego Springs, California. It is a family gathering and we are scattering the ashes of Anne’s folks, who passed away during the pandemic.
February 26, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania.
March 1, 2024 (Friday) - As part of the climate change class I have also been asked to be an advisor/reader for student Margaret Shang’s Capstone Project on the electricity grid and how renewable energy can be better integrated into the system.
March 2, 2024 (Saturday). -Earthlight is installing our Franklin Iron-Phosphate-Lithium batteries for home back up. They are mounted on our wall.
March 8, 2024 (Friday) - Today is the day! A public hearing on HB5004, the Climate bill, was held at the Hartford Capitol. Over 80 people sign up to speak, I am number 63. Anne and I patiently sit and wait - the hearing started at 11 am. At 7 pm, it’s my turn to speak, finally! We notice that not a single Republican on the Environment Committee asks a question…..Testifying in person in the most impactful way to influence Committee Members. We encouraged students to testify from home via zoom. We hang around a bit and then drive home to Mystic.
March 18, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania.
March 22-23, 2024 (Friday-Saturday) - We attended and presented information at the Citizens’ Climate Lobby Northeast Regional Conference in Schenectady, NY. This is Iona Lutey’s last leadership role in our region - she’s been leading the region for many years. Peter Dugas is replacing her - a good guy who knows his climate and lobbying stuff. Also met Sam Daily Harris - author and leader in the arts of communications and negotiations.
April 1, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania.
April 4, 2024 (Saturday) - Anne and I flew to San Antonio today - we are meeting up with Matt and family at SpaceX this week.
April 7, 2024 (Sunday) - In Pleasanton, TX - at Boca Chica and the SpaceX construction and launch facilities. It is like Star Trek.
April 8, 2024 (Monday) - We are back in San Antonio today chasing the eclipse. And fly to Seattle on an emergency trip to help my brother Dave, who is seeking second opinions on serious up-coming surgeries.
April 9, 2024 (Tuesday) - Dave drives with Anne & I back to their Gresham/Portland home in Oregon. We are here all week.
April 15, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania. We explored how communities can deal with climate change impacts and build resilience and defenses.
April 20, 2024 (Saturday) - We have our two tables at the annual Groton Library EARTH DAY event - we have helped Jason Hine organize this every year.
April 22, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania. Economics and climate change - both costs of actions and costs of inactions, and the cost of impacts.
April 29, 2024 (Monday) - Climate Change and Practical Solutions class in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania. Legislation was discussed today, and their semester projects. This is the last day of class.
May 8, 2024 (Wednesday) - This is the last day of the CT General Assembly, and even though our climate bill HB5004, a democratic caucus priority bill, made it through the House chamber, the Senate leadership - Democrat Martin Looney - made an 11th hour deal with the Republicans not to bring our bill up for a vote. Anne and I are so frustrated - how can a priority bill be taken off the table by a single member of the party? There is a U.S. Presidential election in November, and I fear for the worse.
May 14, 2024 (Tuesday) - Well, we are still steaming about the failure of our climate bill in the Connecticut General Assembly. But Anne and I were able to get on a tour of the off-shore wind farm project on the north end of Long Island Sound 70 miles out to sea from New London, CT.
May 21, 2024 (Tuesday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. A great chat with a New York City film producer Kelly Sheehan. She makes documentaries, but through a connection with Bill Young and the environmental people in New Jersey, she agreed to comment on a mix of our film - now called “Carbon Men Salvation: The Senator’s Dilemma”.
May 30-June 8, 2024 (Thursday-Saturday) - Another trip to Door County Wisconsin to teach my spring writing class at The Clearing in Ellison Bay. Mike Schneider - the executive director for The Clearing is retiring, and on Thursday June 6 was a huge farewell and thank you party. I showed up as my Jens Jensen character and spoke for five minutes in my Jens Danish accent. I gave this short monologue: “We are entering a new era, that of Mister Mike Schneider’s hand-off of leadership to the well qualified Ms. Tammy Musiel. I am certain Mr. Schneider has a rain barrel full of advice, good and well considered advice. And I believe there is – how is it said – a laundry list of yet to be completed projects for Ms. Musiel. Good luck with that! Do not rush. Do not hurry. For we must all remember to cherish our moments here at The Clearing. Mike, for you are my friend – now for a long time – I know you have provided leadership and conveyance of The Clearing vision through your actions and your thoughtful considerations, and – most importantly – the very way you live your life. I well remember when Mertha and I would wonder about the longevity of The Clearing. Of course, I truly believed our school of the soil would remain as persistent as the ancient cedar so steadfastly gripping the rocky escarpment. And it is so. Mike, you never forget the decades of effort by inspired souls, who like you, understood the essence of The Clearing. Mike Schneider, you are the best. [off to the side] . . . What’s that? Yes? Yes? [to Mike] . . . Mertha reminds you, do not be late for supper! Now, where was I? Oh, yes. I imagine you and I will reminisce and tell stories around the council ring upon the bluff. All are welcome. We all know – and are very pleased – that you will continue at The Clearing as the most recent addition to the revered elder statesmen and women who continue their contributions. This is the way of The Clearing. This is the way of nature. Now, though, is the time – well earned – to attend to your family, to mind your garden, and to, perhaps, compile your thoughts and remembrances. But, also to pause, take in the coreopsis meadow and celebrate the gift of being here at The Clearing. Now, Ms. Tammy Musiel. You have heard many times Mike uttering, before decisions big and small, WWJJD . . . “What Would . . . I [Jens] . . . do?” I have an amendment! As you are faced with daunting tasks and choices of great import, ask WWMSD! “What would Mike Schneider do?” This will lighten any burden. This will remind you that you, as the continuation of The Clearing vision is so because you have the insight and leadership; you are the strong cedar: shoulder to the winds of change with branches held high in purpose and joy. We believe in you. Now, Mike, when you hear the call: “WWMSD” – you know what to do! But it is still quite fine to sometimes ask, “WWJJD!” I hope you keep your mind clear. And, if you need help with your compost . . . [Jens nods to Mike; offers a hug]”
June 9, 2024 (Sunday) - And off we go - Anne and I fly to Washington, D.C. for another spring national Citizens’ Climate Lobby “Lobby Day” on The Hill. We have meetings with our Senators and Representatives on Tuesday (June 11). It's rush and rush week . . .
June 10, 2024 (Monday) - Washington, D.C. - The Citizens’ Climate Lobby convention is full of optimism and people who get things done. As a not-for-profit volunteer group the organization has been successful in significantly supporting and having citizen input for the Inflation Reduction Act, and maybe having some influence on Senator Murphy’s “Save Our Future Act” - his climate and carbon pricing proposal. CCL has a quarter-million volunteers across the U.S. with volunteers in every congressional district. The American Climate Metrics Survey notes, “With the 2024 elections approaching, ecoAmerica’s latest polling report, American Climate Metrics Survey reveals a larger proportion of Americans saying they will vote for leaders that support action on climate. Most Americans acknowledge their moral responsibility to children, believe in personal rights for all, and have a strong sense of agency in solutions. Yet, overall climate concern declines.”
June 11, 2024 (Tuesday) - Washington, D.C. on The Hill all day in my suit (and it is hot out). Anne and I run between the various Senate and Representative offices. The discussion is on-going, we know the aids in Senator Blumenthal & Senator Murphy’s offices, and our Representatives offices. But Congress is so very divided . . . Trump has created a confrontational environment where he has given permission to those followers to behave horribly, to be outwardly racist and sexist and xenophobic. And President Biden is old and showing it. This is a tough year - we see the worry in our Senators and Representatives eyes as the Trump machine becomes stronger and stronger. Evening - Anne and I head out to the airport hotel - early flight home in the morning.
July 9, 2024 (Tuesday - Lunch with my friend Aziz - he works with the Connecticut Roundtable for Jobs and Climate, and has been a stalwart in our climate bill work. He is smart and insightful, and has goals aligned with mine and CCL’s to better the quality of life through meaningful climate legislation.
July 14, 2024 (Sunday) - Yesterday former president Trump survived an attempted assassination in Pennsylvania. The Associated Press reports, “BUTLER, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt Saturday at a Pennsylvania rally, days before he was to accept the Republican nomination for a third time. A barrage of gunfire set off panic, and a bloodied Trump, who said he was shot in the ear, was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance. Trump’s campaign said the presumptive GOP nominee was doing “fine” after the shooting, which he said pierced the upper part of his right ear. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place,” he wrote on his social media site. The FBI early Sunday identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue at a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania, the agency said. One attendee was killed and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said. All were identified as men. The attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It drew new attention to concerns about political violence in a deeply polarized U.S. less than four months before the presidential election. And it could alter the tenor and security posture at the Republican National Convention, which will begin Monday in Milwaukee. Organizers said the convention would proceed as planned.”
July 18, 2024 (Thursday) - A long CT Citizens’ Climate Lobby state strategy meeting. My legislation in CT on climate has failed three times. A lot of our volunteers that have been doing this for nearly ten years are starting to burn out. This is hard and patient work, and the rewards are slow in coming. We’ll push the climate bill again in the long session of the 2025 Connecticut General Assembly. Representative Christine Palm is not running again, so our Representative Aundre Bumgardner is stepping to be our sponsor.
July 21, 2024 (Sunday) - Huge news!!! President Biden has stepped out of the presidential race against Trump. The Associated Press reports: “WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent’s fitness for office. The unprecedented announcement, delivered less than four months before the election, immediately upended a campaign that both political parties view as the most consequential in generations. The president — intent on serving out the remainder of his term in office — quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump and encouraged his party to unite behind her, making her the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago. The announcement is the latest jolt to a tumultuous campaign for the White House, coming a week after the attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. President Lyndon Johnson, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term after just a single state’s primary. Biden’s July decision comes after more than 14 million Democrats cast votes supporting him through the primary process. Harris, in a statement, praised Biden’s “selfless and patriotic act” and said she intends to “earn and win” her party’s nomination.” THE WORLD IS DIFFERENT TODAY.
July 22, 2024 (Monday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. Anne and I rented the Mystic Luxury Cinema this morning at 9:30am to show our film on the big screen. The theater is small - 50 seats - and we invited the cast and crew and a few friends. I’ve got the film in a fourth major edit phase and is about 1 hour and 50 minutes. I handed out evaluation and suggestion sheets to the 25 people attending. Great chat afterwards and good input. The film looked and sounded good on the big screen.
July 27-Aug. 4, 2024 (Saturday-Sunday) - A week in Los Angeles. Smoke from fires is in the air, and we are here to help my son with our two granddaughters for the week. It is a very necessary and good family time with the little ones - who, every time I look into their faces - reminds me that their future is uncertain with climate change . . . Anne and I will never stop working to improve the world through democracy, meaningful legislation, and building community through equality and education. Big heavy lifts - but we are into it.
August 5-11, 2024 (Monday-Sunday) - From LA we zipped up to Portland to help family up there. Much discussion with David about the movie, and we watched it again and critiqued it. We had another call with Kelly Sheehan, the NYC film producer - she watched the film and had good input and suggestions. I am now ready to do a final mix.
August 28, 2024 (Wednesday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. Last night I finished the 1 hour 39 minutes 24 second version of our movie “Carbon Men Salvation: The Senator’s Dilemma”! It is done, and I immediately started the process of getting it uploaded to FilmFreeway and began entering film festivals late tonight.
August 31, 2024 (Saturday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. We have been accepted as an Official Selection with an Honorable Mention in the Awareness Festival in Los Angeles! Great news.
September 2, 2024 (Monday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. We have been accepted as an Official Selection with an Honorable Mention in the International Film Arts and Hearts Film Festival in Los Angeles! Great news.
September 4, 2024 (Wednesday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. We have been accepted as an Official Selection in the Crown Point International Film Festival! Great news. We’ve also been accepted as a category award winner to the F3: Queen City Film Festival in Cincinnati, OH. More great news!
September 6, 2024 (Friday) - A art gallery bookshop opening on Bank Street in New London tonight. Robin, with Leaning Rock Press - who publishes my books - got my books into this shop, and the opening was packed. Great fun. We met and chatted with owner Rod Cornish and others involved. And today we learned we have been accepted as an Official Selection in the Oniros Film Awards in New York City as a finalist! Great news.
September 8, 2024 (Sunday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. We have been accepted as an Official Selection in the SoCal Film Awards in Huntington Beach, CA as an Honorable Mention! Great news.
September 13, 2024 (Friday) - Anne and I saw Jon Stewart at the Mohegan Sun venue tonight. His take on America is spot on, and he portrays the stark divisions and poor republican decisions through comedy - you laugh and just about cry. Madeleine tells us he’s renewing his contract at Comedy Central for another year. After the show we high-tailed it up to Providence and a hotel, we fly tomorrow.
September 14-22, 2024 (Saturday-Sunday) - Back in Door County, teaching my geology class at The Clearing in Ellison Bay, WI. Lots of discussions about climate change and its impacts. People are very very nervous. I’m also working with the now retired Mike Schneider on the “History of The Clearing” - this in parallel with my show and book “An Evening with Jens Jensen”.
September 23, 2024 (Wednesday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. We have been accepted as an Official Selection in the Los Angeles Film Awards! Great news.
October 1, 2024 (Wednesday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. We have been accepted as an Official Selection in the International New York Film Festival in Jamestown, New York! Great news.
October 11, 2024 (Friday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. Red Carpet in NYC for the win of our film “Carbon Men Salvation: The Senator’s Dilemma” in the ICP Entertainment Film Festival’s Climate category. Anne and I brought some of our cast & crew: actress Carin Estey, musician Jacob Graham, actor Bill Young (and his wife Robyn), neighbor Nick Van Drimmelen (who provided Antarctica GoPro footage; and his wife Barbara), and Anne & I, and I invited Madeleine and Danny - our quintessential New Yorkers. The gathering was small at an Indian Bistro on 51st street. The red carpet was rolled out under scaffolding (building in repairs), and we were interviewed by Richard Oliver, Jr. founder of the festival, and given a small plastic trophy by Veena Kondapalli - a co-founder of the festival. Dinner was good, speeches were made, and then they showed our movie. Great fun and as I told our cast & crew, “Let’s go to this red carpet event . . . it might be the only one we get invited to!”
October 12-21, 2024 (Saturday-Monday) - Another trip to help family in Portland Oregon. On October 14 we received great notice that our film “Carbon Men Salvation: The Senator’s Dilemma” has been accepted into the Old Towne Film Festival in Orange, CA.
October 31, 2024 (Friday) - The month - in fact much of the last three months - has been consumed by working on the presidential election. Anne, as secretary to the Southeastern CT League of Women Voters has been doing significant work on VOTE 411 - a non-partisan effort to get candidate information out to voters. She has also written over 700 postcards to remind people to vote - I’ve only written about 80. We are also talking to a lot of people and working with Citizens’ Climate Lobby - which is non-partisan - to help get the vote out through the Environmental Voter’s Project. But the rhetoric in the campaign from Trump and team is seriously inflammatory, misogynistic, racist, and dangerous. But the race is tied, and leaning towards Trump - not Kamala Harris. I am very very worried. If Trump wins, there will be no climate legislation on a federal level.
October 31, 2024 (Friday) - THE MOVIE CARBON MAN. We have been accepted as an Official Selection in the Milwaukee Independent Film Awards! Great news amid the election chaos. It is an indication people we do not know are watching the film and getting the message of meaningful climate action.
November 5, 2024 (Tuesday -. Voting today - and exit polls and other information by late Tuesday show Trump ahead of Harris. The World Is Changing Again….
November 6, 2024 (Wednesday) - Trump is the president-elect. This was a sweep . . . Trump, as the count stands today, has won 51% of the vote, Harris 47.5%. Trump so far has gained the popular vote: 71,361,539 votes and 277 electoral votes to Harris’ 66,227,894 popular votes and only 224 electoral votes. The Republicans also have control of the Senate. Too early to tell about the House - the Republicans hold the lead still, and it is a huge uphill climb for the Democrats to gain the House. But - it looks like Trump will control all three branches of government - Administrative, Legislative and Judicial. No guardrails, sweeping presidential powers, and the Supreme Court under his thumb. We’ve never seen anything like this before. America - for a wide range of reasons - elected a felon, racist, autocrat over an ethical woman.