The Climate Movement’s Biggest Miscalculation (with Robinson Meyer)

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Nov 24, 2025

Robinson Meyer, founding editor of Heatmap News and a former Atlantic climate reporter, dives into the complicated world of U.S. climate politics. He discusses the Inflation Reduction Act and its unexpected shortcomings, particularly how it failed to win back young voters. Meyer explores the challenges of biodiversity loss, reveals why many clean energy projects favor red states, and debates the necessity of a right-wing climate constituency. His insights illuminate the complex landscape of climate advocacy and the political hurdles that lie ahead.

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INSIGHT

Climate Harms The Vulnerable Most

Climate change will make daily life harder for the global poor by reducing habitability and economic opportunities.
Robinson Meyer warns these impacts will hold back development and disproportionately affect those who cannot adapt.

INSIGHT

Tail Risks Make Climate Uncertain

Climate poses deep tail risks due to feedbacks and unknown system behaviors at high CO2 levels.
Meyer emphasizes we may not understand catastrophic outcomes until we encounter them, making precaution important.

INSIGHT

What The IRA Actually Did

The Inflation Reduction Act combined tax credits and direct grants to accelerate low‑carbon infrastructure.
Meyer highlights it also boosted the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office to lower financing costs.

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Climate activists spent a decade arguing that if Democrats passed a huge climate bill, created green jobs, and centered “climate justice,” voters—especially the young—would reward them.

They got their bill: the Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest climate law in U.S. history. Then youth support for Democrats, Republicans tore key pieces out all while red states took the money and blue states made it almost impossible to build wind, solar, or transmission.

In this episode, Jerusalem Demsas talks with Rob Meyer, founding editor of Heatmap News, about what the last few years have revealed about the U.S.' climate politics.

The Argument is a podcast dedicated to honest, unflinching debate about the biggest questions facing democracy, culture, and our future. As the host, Jerusalem Demsas brings together voices across the political spectrum to argue, challenge, and persuade. Each episode is a space where disagreements are confronted directly, with clarity and conviction, rather than hidden or shouted down.

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The Argument's production team includes Ranjani Chakraborty, Isabella Pereira, Angela Tracy, Eli Richman, and Kate Crawford with music by Breakmaster Cylinder. If you want to hear more of The Argument, you can become a subscriber at The ArgumentMag.com.