Shift Key with Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkins

This Isn’t the Same Kind of Climate Election

Aug 21, 2024

Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and Joe Biden discuss the changing landscape of climate discourse in politics. They analyze the reduced emphasis on climate change in this election compared to 2020 and its implications for voter engagement. The conversation delves into the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on American manufacturing and clean energy investments. They also explore the tension between economic concerns and climate initiatives, touching on progress in solar energy and the challenges facing wind capacity in the U.S.

58:15

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Episode guests

Joe Biden

Kamala Harris

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Quick takeaways

The current political landscape has shifted climate change discourse to lower priority, with immediate issues like the economy taking precedence.

Recent polling reveals a decline in public concern about climate issues, especially among younger voters who prioritize inflation and national security.

The Inflation Reduction Act has sparked a manufacturing revival in the U.S., but its economic benefits remain largely uncommunicated in electoral campaigns.

Deep dives

Current Climate Focus in Elections

The current election cycle has shown a notable shift in the discourse surrounding climate change. Unlike previous elections, where climate was a central topic, it seems to have taken a back seat in the campaigns leading up to 2024. This change is attributed to the unique political landscape, where there is no contested primary, leading to a more streamlined approach where candidate focus prioritizes immediate issues like the economy over climate policy. As a result, there has been a marked absence of both detailed climate policy discussions and high-level rhetoric about clean energy.

Good political history on us shift to services

01:02

Climate Concerns Fade in Political Rhetoric

00:53

Intro

4min

Shifting Priorities: Climate Change and Economic Concerns

10min

The Legislative Journey from Build Back Better to Inflation Reduction: A Shift in Climate Focus

4min

Childcare Policy vs. Inflation Reduction Act

12min

Navigating the Tensions of Clean Energy Politics

4min

Navigating Clean Energy Legislation

12min

Positive Trends in Clean Energy Growth

3min

Challenges in Clean Energy and Urban Climate Initiatives

9min

Democrats are gathering in Chicago this week for their quadrennial convention and to celebrate Kamala Harris’s nomination for president. This year’s convention will look different from 2020’s for many reasons — but one of them is that we’re likely to hear far less about climate change. Unlike in 2020, when President Joe Biden described global warming as one of “four overlapping crises” confronting the country, Harris has been more subtle when discussing it.

So … is that a problem? Should we be freaked out? On this week’s episode of Shift Key, Rob and Jesse discuss the modern electoral politics of climate change. We talk about whether the electorate’s interest in climate issues has faded, how the Inflation Reduction Act could affect voting, and why a “quiet on climate” strategy might be okay. Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap, and Jesse Jenkins, a professor of energy systems engineering at Princeton University.

Mentioned:

Jesse on how the IRA is actually bringing back American manufacturing

Rob on how housing could be Kamala’s housing policy

The IRA’s labor provisions look like they’re working

The Harvard Institute of Politics poll on young voters in 2024

Jesse’s upshift; Rob’s downshift

This episode of Shift Key is sponsored by …

Watershed’s climate data engine helps companies measure and reduce their emissions, turning the data they already have into an audit-ready carbon footprint backed by the latest climate science. Get the sustainability data you need in weeks, not months. Learn more at watershed.com.

As a global leader in PV and ESS solutions, Sungrow invests heavily in research and development, constantly pushing the boundaries of solar and battery inverter technology. Discover why Sungrow is the essential component of the clean energy transition by visiting sungrowpower.com.

Antenna Group helps you connect with customers, policymakers, investors, and strategic partners to influence markets and accelerate adoption. Visit antennagroup.com to learn more.

Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Shift Key with Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkins

This Isn’t the Same Kind of Climate Election

Episode guests