Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast

236. SOTU: Unpacking Biden's Vision and The IRA

Mar 14, 2024

Exploring Biden's State of the Union address on climate change, SEC's new guidelines facing legal challenges, Gina McCarthy's insights, engaging young people in climate action, and reflective chant on environmental devastation and call to action

01:03:26

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Episode guests

Gina McCarthy

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Biden's State of the Union focused on climate action, highlighting contrast with Trump's approach.

The Inflation Reduction Act boosted clean energy projects, job creation, and economic growth in swing states.

Communication of IRA's benefits and focus on equity are crucial to garner support for climate initiatives.

Deep dives

Punchy State of the Union Address by Joe Biden

Joe Biden's State of the Union address emphasized climate crisis, showcased strong contrast with Trump's leadership, and focused on saving the planet and addressing gun violence. The speech received positive feedback and marked a promising start amidst challenging odds for the upcoming election.

Introduction

5min

Analyzing Biden's Speech Contrasts and the IRA's Impact on Public Perception

6min

Navigating Climate Reporting Regulations and Politicization

17min

Engaging Young People in Climate Change Action

27min

Discussion on Absence, Music Introduction, and Expressing Gratitude

1min

Reflective Chant on Environmental Devastation and Call to Action

5min

Audience Engagement and Community Building on the Podcast

4min

This week, we bring you a US democracy special, discussing Joe Biden’s energetic State of the Union Address in which climate action played a significant role, and also the new guidelines from the Securities and Exchange Commission, a move which has seen the Commission attract a slew of legal challenges from both sides of the climate divide. The hosts ask: can Biden’s campaign for presidency in 2024 unite the partisan divide around climate change and if not, how can we protect the progress that the IRA has already made in the US in the face of a Trump victory?

To help us unpack all of this, we have the force of nature and great friend of the podcast, Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. Today, Gina is a Senior Advisor at Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Managing Co-Chair of the America Is All In Coalition, and a Senior Fellow at The Fletcher School’s Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University. She is also an Operating Advisor at Pegasus Capital Advisors and a Senior Advisor at TPG Rise Climate Fund. She serves as co-chair of the India-U.S. Track II Dialogue on Energy and Climate Change, and on the Board of Directors for the Energy Foundation and the Resources Legacy Foundation.

Music this week comes from James Hastings with his beautiful song ‘Mother’. James is a singer-songwriter whose unique brand of eco-conscious alt-folk conjures up wild, earthy textures enfolded in ethereal, electronic landscapes.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

GUEST

Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Website

MUSIC

James Hastings

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