Climate 2020

In this special episode of Climate 2020 for The Years Project, we interview Mike Mann about his new book, THE NEW CLIMATE WAR. Mann is one of the world’s premier climate scientists. In this interview, he describes how fossil fuel companies have waged a thirty-year campaign to deflect blame and responsibility and delay action on climate change. He also offers a battle plan for how we can save the planet. Mann argues that all is not lost. But the long-running climate wars have shifted, and he explains why we all need to know where – and how - the new battle lines have been drawn.

In this special episode, we talk to Florida Democrat Kathy Castor, who chairs the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis in the House of Representatives.    Her committee issued a massive, 547-page blueprint in July. It outlines the ways in which the next Congress can address the climate crisis and the enormous opportunities it presents for a clean energy economy.   It is arguably the most comprehensive legislative report on climate ever, and will shape what Congress does on climate and clean energy next year. Dave Roberts at Vox called it “the most detailed climate plan in US political history.”   We talked to Rep. Castor about all of this, as well as the 2020 election.

President Trump has vowed to remove the United States from the historic Paris climate agreement, which every nation on Earth has now signed onto. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said one of his first acts as president, should he win, will be to keep America in that accord. In this special episode of Climate 2020, the director of WWF's U.S. climate program and We Are Still In movement co-founder Elan Strait talks about the growing power of the sub-national movement in America - and what it means beyond this election cycle.

In this Climate One episode, our co-host Jeff Nesbit joins podcast host Greg Dalton, Vanessa Hauc of Telemundo, and Nathaniel Stinnett of the Environmental Voter Project to explore the continuing relevance of climate to the November election.  

When Gina McCarthy left her post as Obama’s EPA Administrator, she was ready to leave the sometimes grueling world of Washington politics behind. She went into academia. In 2018, she founded the Harvard Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE). But after observing Trump’s chaotic first term from the sidelines, she realized she wasn’t content to sit this one out. Today, Gina is President of the Natural Resources Defense Council. There, she leads a multi-pronged approach to get climate champions elected into office — and elect Trump out. We got Gina’s perspective from the center of this historic fight to take back democracy and hit the reset button on national climate action.

Sociologist and Environmental Justice Activist Dr. Robert Bullard came of age during the Civil Rights Movement. Back then, the conversation around how racism and environmentalism intersected hadn’t gained much traction. But Dr. Bullard began to make those connections through his research. He began to notice in cities across the country — from his hometown of Houston to Alabama to Louisiana — the ways in which black neighborhoods were made to bear the brunt of industrial pollution. Dr. Bullard has dedicated his career to fighting environmental racism, and he believes that fight may have reached a turning point. We spoke to him about why the Black Lives Matter demonstrations that have taken place over the past few weeks feel unique — even from other racial justice milestones he’s witnessed. And he gives us his take on what a President Biden could do to turn hopeful words into concrete action.

At the start of 2020, Americans were becoming increasingly alarmed about climate change.  But then: A pandemic, record unemployment and now mass demonstrations over police violence and racism. The last time America faced such a turbulent political moment — during the Great Recession — public concern about climate change fell sharply. Now political winds are shifting again. Is climate still a political priority? The latest poll from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication gives us clues. We discuss the results with the program's director, Dr. Tony Leiserowitz. And in this political moment how will Joe Biden and Donald Trump's very different stances on climate play out with voters? We focus on a group that may play a big role in 2020: swing voters. We speak to Rich Thau, a messaging expert who has conducted focus groups with swing voters in battleground states.   

The Environmental Protection Agency hopes to finalize its new ‘Secret Science’ rule that would make it harder for lifesaving climate science to inform policy. If approved, it could be detrimental to studies that contain confidential data — including seminal public health findings related to air pollution. This is an especially critical area of research for black Americans who are dying in disproportionate numbers from Coronavirus, partially because of their exposure to harmful particles in the neighborhoods where they live. Michael Halpern and Professor Francesca Dominici tell us about the barrage of attacks on science that gained momentum under the Trump Administration but started decades before.  

Jaime Kaiser 4:22 PM (39 minutes ago)       to me             Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on Climate's Stolen Decade Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse made his debut in Congress in 2007. Back then, hopes for congressional action on climate change were high, and multiple proposals for viable carbon legislation were on the table. But within the last decade, enthusiasm for bipartisan climate solutions has come to a crawl. Corporate dollars have often set the agenda. In March, Marathon Petroleum and other oil and gas companies made out with millions of dollars in tax subsidies and debt relief. One of the Senate's leading voices on climate tells how the CARES Act bailout of the oil companies came to pass. He shares his inside view of the oil and gas industry's capture of the Republican Party, Obama's premature surrender on climate and why he thinks we’re finally ready for meaningful action on climate.

Unemployment is getting worse. Congress is under increasing pressure to pass more spending bills to rescue the economy. So far Congress has focused on immediate relief, but congressional leaders have signaled that future proposals could focus on infrastructure and jobs.  We talk to someone who’s trying to make sure that climate is a big part of those conversations. Mindy Lubber leads CERES, a non-profit which organizes corporations to take action on climate change. Last week, CERES rallied big-name brands -- like Nike, General Mills, Salesforce and Mars -- around a simple message for Congress: Now is the time to build back better. Mindy says that if Congress spends trillions of dollars on recovery, that money should go towards rebuilding a low-carbon economy, and that a carbon price should be part of that conversation. What’s driving these companies to put their political muscle behind climate action? And will their lobbying make a difference?

Naomi Klein has had a long career as a journalist. Time and time again, she's seen capitalists take advantage of crises. She saw it when she was a reporter in Iraq, and noticed it again while reporting on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Now, she's seeing the agents of capitalism rush in to profit off of the Coronavirus pandemic. Our hosts spoke with Naomi about how global "shocks" to the economy are giving the fossil fuel industry big policy wins, and what that means for the battle to reduce emissions going forward. She also comments on Biden's potential policy shift to the left ahead of the general election, and a new documentary that has sparked outrage in the climate community.  

Hurricane season starts in a few weeks, but officials across the country have their hands full managing COVID-19. Experts suggest we may be on the verge of another wave of infections as states end their stay-at-home orders. So what happens if a hurricane or other major natural hazard hits the US during the pandemic?   We hear from worried local officials as they try to prepare for threats on two fronts.    And with climate change exacerbating natural hazards and infectious diseases, what can the federal government do to be better prepared for an increasingly dangerous world? What does Joe Biden's climate messaging tell us about how he would handle the immediate impacts of the climate crisis? 

The pandemic continues to wreak havoc on public health and people’s livelihoods. But remember folks, there’s a Presidential election on the other side of all of this. New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman discusses whether Joe Biden will step up on climate if he makes it to the White House, and why mother nature doesn’t care about President Trump's ambitions for the stock market. He also talks about COVID-19's impact on oil prices and how America can wean itself off of foreign oil by becoming a "swing consumer."

Youth climate organizers were deep in the process of planning a series of mass mobilizations for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Then, a global pandemic hit. So they had to completely rethink their approach. They needed to translate an event that included striking in the streets and other in-person actions into something totally digital. In just a few short weeks, would they be able to pull off this kind of Earth Day? And will this new online movement turn out climate voters in the general? Climate 2020 Producer Jaime Kaiser reported this story.

Hospitals overcrowded. Frontline workers at risk. And everyone else stuck at home. The coronavirus outbreak has laid bare a nation woefully ill-equipped to meet this challenge. If we couldn’t find a way to work together in this moment of crisis — what hope do we have of uniting against the climate crisis? We sat down with Author David Wallace-Wells who describes the layers of government dysfunction that brought us to this one point and what’s waiting for us in the months ahead.

Bernie Sanders has officially ended his bid for the presidency and endorsed Joe Biden. Most of his other former Democratic challengers have now thrown their support behind him too.  But will Biden be able to earn the support of progressive voters and unify the party — and could climate be the lynchpin issue that wins their favor? We spoke to someone who knows a thing or two about this: Former Presidential Candidate and billionaire Tom Steyer. He tells us what he’s learned about prioritizing climate during the 2020 race — and how his money will continue to wield its influence.

The congressional stimulus package will send trillions of dollars to families and businesses amid the pandemic — but you won’t find many concessions to climate groups. That’s because prominent Republicans fought tooth and nail to make sure green measures didn’t make the cut. How will Democrats handle Republican resistance to climate policy in future federal spending? Is there any way to get conservatives on board? Former Republican Congressman Bob Inglis talks about what convinced him to care about climate and the legislative areas where he thinks we can find common ground.

Last week, Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus package amid the economic fallout of COVID-19. It didn’t include many of the green measures that environmental groups had been pushing for. Climate-friendly dems were accused of “politicizing” the relief package by trying to shoehorn climate into the bill. But history says this is nothing new. During the 2009 recession, part of Obama’s stimulus was a $90 billion clean energy bill for things like electric grid upgrades and solar projects. Policy experts Bracken Hendricks and Rhiana Gunn-Wright speak to how we translate the excitement around a Green New Deal into political results during the next stimulus debate.

Coronavirus brought the 2020 election to a screeching halt. Climate was once a top issue in the Democratic primary, but it’s been overtaken by a virus and a looming economic apocalypse.  Primaries are delayed. Traditional campaigning has stopped. Biden is hiding out, preparing for the general election. Bernie Sanders is hanging on. And the way we think about all kinds of issues has totally flipped. So how will climate, cleantech and the environment fit into this new political world? We’ll look at the state of the race, the political response to the coronavirus shock, and how climate may fit into the November election.

As the economy shuts down, people around the world have noticed an unintended side effect: cleaner air. As it turns out, all that pollution has been making us sicker and potentially more vulnerable to outbreaks like coronavirus. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Ari Bernstein about the links between climate change, health and the COVID-19 pandemic. Then we turn to how the US government has been exacerbating these problems by supporting fossil fuels. And finally, the American public turns to scientists and experts to fight the coronavirus. But the Trump administration continues its efforts to push science out of government, even in the middle of a pandemic. 

A wild news cycle has our hosts bantering about the primary results, the presidential debate and of course -- the COVID19 pandemic.  Then, a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental writer Elizabeth Kolbert. The climate crisis is already here, but there's still time to steer the planet away from its worst consequences. 

The pandemic arrived, and the Trump White House was unprepared.   In this episode, we talk with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Laurie Garrett about the botched U.S. response to coronavirus. We’ll unpack the climate-public health connection when it comes to preparing for disasters.   Plus, TIME’s energy and environment reporter Justin Worland discusses how the pandemic may reshape international climate talks.

Michigan and five other states doled out delegates during Tuesday's democratic primary vote. With Biden taking the lion's share, Sanders has officially become the longshot candidate. For more on how a Sanders administration would execute his revolutionary agenda for the planet -- and how Biden could rise to the occasion on climate -- we spoke with UC Policy Professor Leah Stokes. Riley Beggin contributed reporting from the ground in Michigan.

A whopping 228 delegates were up for grabs in the Texas primary. Joe Biden ran away with the most, helping him surge to the top of what is now effectively a two-man race between Biden and Bernie Sanders. What does his win say about how voters in purple states like Texas may respond to climate issues? Two reporters give us a window into the state’s complicated politics: Brendan Gibbons, a Senior Reporter with The Rivard Report, talks about a local fight around San Antonio’s climate plan. Then, Abby Livingston — Washington Bureau Chief for the Texas Tribune — gives her analysis on how the progressive climate agenda may impact down-ballot races in the general.

Sociologist Arlie Hochschild understands the roots of America’s political divide better than most. Her book “Strangers In Their Own Land: Anger And Mourning On The American Right,” takes a trip to rural Louisiana during the Obama years, where she interviews dozens of Tea Party conservatives. Many of her subjects would go on to support Donald Trump, and could vote that way again. This is an extended rerun of an interview between Arlie Hochschild and Host David Gelber.

Sanders is surging. With Iowa and New Hampshire in the bag, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has emerged as the clear front-runner in the democratic primary. Reporter Rebecca Leber breaks down his climate plan. Then, Professor Thea Riofrancos explains why the progressive left is rallying behind him as their climate candidate. We also unpack the controversial elements of Bernie’s plan. Later in the show: while Bernie builds a grassroots movement, two billionaires take a radically different approach to climate action.

Leading Republicans have long rejected calls for action on climate change. Now, they appear to be changing course. They're pushing new proposals, including a plan to store carbon in trees. What's driving this shift? Is there substance behind these new plans? For that, we spoke with veteran energy and environment reporter Amy Harder of Axios. Then, New Hampshire Public Radio’s Annie Ropeik on which issues inspired voters to head to the polls in her state, and how much climate factored into their choices.

YouTube is an influential force in politics. It’s also rife with disinformation and conspiracy theories. A new report shows that YouTube’s algorithm is actively recommending fringe climate denial videos. What will it take to solve the problem? Producer Jaime Kaiser falls down the YouTube rabbit hole. Then, Vox writer David Roberts discusses the underlying social and psychological forces that may prevent YouTube from taking action. Later, we speak with reporter Chris Walljasper about how voters are wrestling with the climate issue at the Iowa Caucus.

A new survey shows that Americans are increasingly worried about climate change. We talk with Tony Leiserowitz -- Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication -- about how this trend has big implications for the kinds of candidates and policies voters are likely to support. And we learn about the six types of climate voters and how campaigns need to think differently about messaging to each of them. Then, we break down the headlines, including a GOP plan around climate messaging, new rules for New Jersey builders, and the power of young stars to influence change.

Asset management company BlackRock has over $7 trillion in assets, making it a powerful, behind-the-scenes force in finance. A new letter from the company’s CEO has huge implications for how asset managers consider the long-term financial risks of a changing climate. Afterward, our hosts break down the headlines, including the New York Times editorial board endorsements for president and Microsoft’s carbon-negative goal.

Some American voters still don’t trust the science of climate change. Climate Scientist Naomi Oreskes explains why that might be. Then the headlines, which include an announcement that could dramatically shape the future of fossil fuel finance.

Activists have their sights set on big banks as a key lever of power in the climate fight. Environmentalist Bill McKibben explains how a new generation can say no to fossil fuel financing. Then, Hosts Jeff and David tell us what American politicians can learn from the severe bushfires in Australia.

An extended cut of Host David Gelber’s conversation with MSNBC Anchor Chris Hayes.

Understanding what we buy and wear it comes from is important, but is it enough? Journalist Tatiana Schlossberg tell us about how our purchases are linked to the global climate crisis. Nevertheless, she says — individual choices are no substitute for action at the international level from big business, governments and world leaders.

It was a sour end to the climate negotiations in Madrid, Bloomberg has a new plan, and the waning narrative of natural gas as a bridge fuel. Then climate writer Bill McKibben on what's at stake when it comes to fighting the climate crisis at the ballot box next year.

Host Jeff Nesbit in Madrid for COP25. He says that while none of Trump's senior officials showed up, several prominent American climate leaders want the world to know they're still in. Then, a window into a 2020 strategy to boost green candidates with Gene Karpinski — the President of the League For Conservation Voters.

COP25 has begun and Trump’s senior staff is missing in action. In his absence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads the charge. Our hosts talk conference politics, along with a new star-studded, initiative to tackle emissions. Then, Michael Bloomberg’s biographer gives us a deep dive into his potential to capture the nomination and be a climate leader.    

An extended cut of Host Jeff’s Nesbit’s conversation with former presidential candidate and current Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. He muses on the scope of executive authority in curbing emissions and what's being done in his home state.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg is surging in the polls, but what about his climate plan? Then, Carlos Curbelo — former Republican Congressman from Florida — on his push for bipartisan climate action during his time in the house. Finally,  Professor Matto Mildenberger talks about his new study published in Nature Energy linking solar panel use to an increase in voting.  Also, a note this week from Executive Producer Janet Babin. Editor's Note: Professor Mildenberger also talked about his views regarding Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigeig’s climate plan. We have confirmed that Professor Mildenberger does not work for the Buttigeig campaign in any capacity.

Michael Bloomberg is showing strong signs of entering the 2020 Presidential Race. The former New York City Mayor has a long list of climate accomplishments — but a shaky relationship with some activists. Then, Nathaniel Stinnett of the Environmental Voter Project on how to change the voting behavior of potential "super-enviro" citizens.

Trump has officially started to pull the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement — and that could threaten our collective ability to act on the crisis. Then in honor of election week, Working America’s Karen Nussbaum explains how to rally undecided voters who are up for grabs in the 2020 presidential race. Plus, sociologist Arlie Hochschild talks building bridges with right wing voters.

  A new round of wildfires lights up large swaths of California and for one of our hosts — it's personal. Writer David Wallace-Wells breaks down how the state became a place that's constantly plagued by wildfires, and what we can do to stop them — that is, using less fossil fuels. Then, journalist Amy Westervelt makes her case for climate rage as the West Coast burns and Exxon Mobil goes on trial for defrauding its investors.

Our hosts recap the beginnings of a historic trial to challenge a major oil company for fueling the climate crisis. Then, former presidential candidate and current Washington Governor Jay Inslee muses on the scope of executive authority to curb emissions. Finally, we pivot to the other side of the isle as one of Trump's pollsters draws back the curtain on the president's climate rhetoric.

Climate was a dead-on-arrival and it makes our hosts wonder ... is anyone even taking this issue seriously? Then Journalist Maggie Badore breaks down exactly where the candidates stand on climate, and a conversation with NYC Youth Organizer Xiye Bastida on where the movement goes from here after an explosive few months of climate action.

Activists have their sights on the banks. Jeff and David break down a week of theatrical protests from Extinction Rebellion -- a UK climate group that’s calling out big banks for financing fossil fuel companies. Then, energy reporter Russell Gold explains what could force these companies to take our planet's carbon math seriously.

Impeachment has thrown a monkey wrench into the news cycle -- and the scandal has a climate change link. Then, a covert peek inside an oil executives meeting, and the disconnect between Congress and voters on climate.  

To kick off Climate 2020, David Gelber and Jeff Nesbit discuss the whirlwind global climate strike and the UN Climate Action Summit, along with their initial impressions of the candidates' climate positions. Then, we get insider insights from MSNBC's Chris Hayes, and we hear about a new climate news project from veteran journalist Kyle Pope. Then David and producer Janet Babin take a trip to a region of Pennsylvania that could decide the presidential election.

A weekly show that makes climate change the top issue of the 2020 presidential election.  Brought to you in association with The Years Project. Hosted by David Gelber of The Planet Project and Jeff Nesbit of ClimateNexus.  Premieres September 26.  

Listen as journalist David Gelber and policy expert Jeff Nesbit make the case as to why climate change should be the number one campaign issue of the 2020 presidential election.  Millennial comedians also weigh in on the democratic hopefuls.