Commonwealth Club of California Podcast CLIMATE ONE: This Year in Climate: 2025
Dec 19, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Adrienne Heinz, a clinical research psychologist at Stanford University, highlights the mental health challenges post-disasters and introduces innovative community support strategies. Roxanne Brown, VP at United Steelworkers, addresses the impacts of legislative rollbacks on industrial jobs and the importance of transitioning language for clean energy. Meanwhile, Pattie Gonia, a drag performer and environmental activist, shares how joy and queer advocacy can inspire diverse communities to engage in environmentalism. Together, they explore the pressing issues of 2025.
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AI's Hidden Energy And Water Burden
- AI growth in 2025 drove large new electricity and water demand, mainly from data centers.
- Predictive AI can cut emissions, but generative models risk high energy and water use, requiring transparency.
Federal Rollbacks Undermine Climate Programs
- The Trump administration rolled back climate protections and defunded programs from the Inflation Reduction Act.
- These actions represent a broad attack on climate science, data, and regulatory safeguards.
Renewables Surge And China's Electrostate Rise
- In March, renewables outgenerated fossil fuels in the U.S., and global renewables overtook coal.
- China’s massive deployment of solar and batteries is reshaping the global energy balance.