Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor under Obama and a keen political analyst, joins the conversation to tackle the pressing issue of climate populism. He argues for a fresh strategy to harness populist sentiments for climate action, aiming to shift the focus onto the oil and gas industry's control over negotiations. The discussion also delves into the contrasting political styles of Trump and Harris, the impact of U.S. policy shifts on global climate cooperation, and the importance of engaging diverse voices in the climate movement.
Ben Rhodes advocates for a 'climate populist' strategy to engage broader audiences by framing climate issues as affecting everyday citizens rather than elites.
The podcast highlights the potential for international cooperation on climate action as other nations adapt to a reduced U.S. role in global agreements.
Deep dives
Changing U.S. Foreign Policy Landscape
The conversation revolves around the evolving foreign policy landscape in the United States, particularly as a shift in leadership occurs with Donald Trump's inauguration. The historical context of U.S. climate leadership, characterized by inconsistent involvement from different administrations, is highlighted to illustrate the challenges of developing a cohesive response to climate change. Notably, the previous administrations' transitions between proactive and retreating stances on climate efforts have created a complicated legacy that complicates current policymaking. The speakers stress the need for a united approach to climate policy that is resilient to changes in political leadership.
Populism and Climate Change
The discussion underscores the necessity of incorporating a populist narrative within climate discourse to engage a wider audience. Ben Rhodes articulates that climate change issues are often perceived as elite concerns, detaching them from the everyday realities of ordinary citizens. He advocates for framing climate challenges as detrimental to the interests of the general population, specifically by targeting fossil fuel interests that influence political decisions. By reshaping the climate conversation to resonate with broader populist sentiments, the speakers suggest that it may be possible to unify various segments of society in support of strong climate action.
Emerging Leadership Opportunities
The need for a new generation of political leaders who reflect the values and needs of younger constituents is emphasized as crucial for future progress. Rhodes calls for looking beyond traditional political figures and instead focusing on younger, community-based leaders who are closely connected to the issues at hand. This shift could invigorate the party and climate action efforts by appealing to a demographic that is increasingly concerned about the impacts of climate change. Highlighting examples, Rhodes mentions various state leaders who successfully relate to climate issues, suggesting that such figures could represent a progressive path forward.
International Cooperation Beyond U.S. Leadership
The potential consequences of a reduced U.S. role in international climate agreements are examined, with implications for global cooperation on climate action. The speakers discuss how other countries, like those in the BRICS coalition and the EU, may step up to fill the void left by the U.S. and develop their own climate leadership initiatives. The conversation brings attention to the necessity of fostering collaborative relationships among nations to tackle climate change, rather than relying solely on U.S. influence. In doing so, they propose that this period of U.S. withdrawal could serve as an opportunity for other nations to enhance their commitment to climate action and create a more multipolar global framework.
Ben Rhodes—writer, political commentator, and former Deputy National Security Advisor under President Obama—joins the host team to dissect the challenges of a Trump 2.0 administration.
Rhodes issues a bold call for a new "climate populist" strategy, to redirect the populist right-wing outrage over climate action toward exposing the oil and gas industry's stranglehold on climate negotiations, as seen at recent COP summits.
Christiana, Tom, Paul, plus special guest Fi Macklin, invite Rhodes to explore themes of strong leadership, the shifting dynamics of geopolitics, Trump’s appeal to the U.S. electorate, and how the world could navigate global climate politics without the US over the next four years? NOTES AND RESOURCES
GUESTS
Ben Rhodes, writer, political commentator, and national security analyst