Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast Inside COP: Is The US Still In? And Gavin Newsom on ‘invasive species’ Trump
Nov 12, 2025
In a fiery discussion, California Governor Gavin Newsom champions state-level climate action amidst the absence of US delegates at COP30. He emphasizes the risks to democracy posed by federal climate rollbacks and vows to oppose potential offshore drilling by Donald Trump. Newsom argues that California's long-term policies provide stability despite national upheaval, framing climate change in relatable economic terms to rally broader support. He also critiques Trump's narrative control and stresses the importance of shaping optimistic climate dialogues.
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Host Selection Can Default To Bonn
- COP host selection is politically fraught; failure of regional agreement can default hosting to Bonn.
- Christiana explains regional rules and why Australia-Turkey rivalry could hand COP back to Germany.
US Flip-Flop Undermines Global Trust
- The U.S. flip-flops on climate policy, which delays global emission reductions and undermines international trust.
- Christiana Figueres says the political whiplash erodes U.S. credibility even when it returns to leadership.
Democracy Crisis Amplifies Climate Risk
- Newsom links threats to democracy and climate rollback, calling Trumpism a concurrent crisis that accelerates environmental harm.
- He labels the current political threat as an "invasive species" undermining rule of law and climate progress.
