Ep. 22: Bill McKibben, climate activist and bestselling author, on the extraordinary promise of solar power and the path forward toward climate stability

Few people are more closely associated with the climate movement than Bill McKibben. In 1989 he published The End of Nature. It was the first popular book for a broad audience on the climate crisis. Over more than 35 years since then, he’s written about 20 books, and many, many articles in prominent publications. In 2008, he founded a climate advocacy nonprofit called 350.org, which now has about $20 million in annual revenues and is active on six continents. More broadly, he played a critical role in establishing a grassroots activist movement for climate action. He’s been instrumental in a number of climate campaigns, encouraging fossil fuel asset divestment and pushing to block construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, among many other efforts. 

With all the things he’s been involved with, you or I may quibble with McKibben about this or that particular strategy or tactic or approach. But it’s undeniable that he has worked more tirelessly and authentically over a longer time period than almost anyone toward progress on the climate crisis. 

I sat down with Bill to talk about his latest book, which is called Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization. I wanted to learn more about how he sees the current role of the climate movement. And I wanted to hear how and why he thinks solar power may provide a uniquely important path forward for climate progress at this dangerous and critical moment. 

Additional resources mentioned in this episode:

• Here Comes the Sun by Bill McKibben
• The Crucial Years
• Third Act
• Sun Day
• 350.org
• Short Circuiting Policy, by Leah Cardamore Stokes
• How Big Things Get Done, by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner