Political Climate

The Green New Deal is all over the news these days. But how did it get there?Efforts to reform the U.S. economy in a more sustainable and equitable way didn't start with the introduction of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal resolution. And they certainly don't end there.In this episode, Political Climate sits down with Green New Deal architects Rhiana Gunn-Wright, Demond Drummer and Zach Exley for an in-depth interview on the sweeping -- and evolving -- plan to address both climate change and economic inequality.What can the climate movement learn from the original New Deal and World War II mobilization? Is there a viable alternative to the neoliberal policy model? Can progressive Democrats ever work with Republicans? We discuss all of this and more in a candid conversation (starts 21:00) with Gunn-Wright, Drummer and Exley, who currently lead the progressive policy shop New Consensus.Plus, what does rapper and comedian Lil Dicky have in common with AOC? We kick off this episode with a look at two influential climate videos making their way around the Internet.Recommended reading: Lil Dicky -- "Earth" The Intercept: A Message From the Future With Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez E&E: Meet the scholar crafting the 'Green New Deal' GTM: Green New Deal Resolution Calls for 100% ‘Clean, Renewable and Zero-Emission Energy Sources’ Political Climate is produced in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and The Leonardo DiCaprio FoundationSubscribe to the Political Climate podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay and Overcast. 

What do bodybuilding and gerrymandering have to do with the fight against climate change? Arnold Schwarzenegger explains in an exclusive Political Climate interview.The former California governor and global environmental leader has been tackling the related issues of climate change and pollution for years by working across the political aisle. In this episode (13:30), Schwarzenegger explains why he still believes in working with people of all political stripes.The show kicks off with a look at recent headlines, including the clash between former Secretary of State John Kerry and Rep. Thomas Massie over climate science. Plus, Democratic Senators introduce a carbon pricing bill. We ask: is this an effective political strategy?Recommended reading: Vox: Viral John Kerry-Thomas Massie exchange over climate NYT: The Problem With Putting a Price on the End of the World E&E: Whitehouse, Schatz float latest version of carbon fee bill The Hill: Schwarzenegger teams up with Holder to 'terminate' gerrymandering LA Times: Here’s why Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kevin de León are teaming up on climate change Schnapps Political Climate is produced in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and The Leonardo DiCaprio FoundationSubscribe to the Political Climate podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay and Overcast. 

Political Climate is back after a four-month hiatus. Did we miss anything?Well, there was the Green New Deal resolution and launch of the new House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. There was also the introduction of a Republican-backed clean energy plan and the kickoff of a climate-centric presidential election. So there’s that.In this episode, the Political Climate co-hosts catch up on the latest headlines. Plus, the podcast makes some news of its own!Recommended reading: Slate: Why the Green New Deal Rollout Was Kind of a Mess Axios: Democrats vote "present" as Green New Deal fails Senate test Newsweek: Here's How the Green New Deal Compares to a Proposed Republican Climate Plan — The Green Real Deal The Hill: Newly-formed House climate panel holds first hearing Axios: Green New Deal: Where the 2020 presidential candidates stand Vox: Nancy Pelosi is trying to force Trump to return the US to the Paris climate agreement Political Climate Political Climate is produced in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay and Overcast. 

The Political Climate partial shutdown comes to an end on April 8. Climate politics are evolving rapidly as the 2020 election looms large. The bipartisan podcast team will be back to discuss all of the latest twists and turns in an exciting new season.

Is there a bipartisan path forward on meaningful climate policy in America? If so, what does it look like?Those are questions we’ve been grappling with on Political Climate this entire podcast season. Now we’re putting them — point blank — to our Democrat and Republican co-hosts.This is our solutions show, and our final episode for 2018.We kick it off with a rundown of the latest news headlines and issues to watch heading into the new year, including a coal-friendly Democrat taking a top spot on the Senate Energy and Committee, a new carbon fee and dividend bill, and a big utility’s voluntary 100 percent clean energy target.Then the pressure is on co-hosts Brandon and Shane to share their climate policy solutions (21:30). We get both a big picture vision and specifics around what they think decision-makers can get done in the coming years. Plus, a cameo from the Governator.We wind down show by reflecting on our takeaways from Season One of this bipartisan podcasting effort, where things get a little personal (47:50).Then, as always, we cap it all off with our “Say Something Nice” segment — where our Democrat and Republican co-hosts have to say something redeeming about the opposing political party.This is our last podcast of the year, but this doesn’t have to be goodbye! You can always catch up on previous episodes you may have missed, featuring interviews with Senator Martin Heinrich, Top Trump EPA official Mandy Gunasekara, Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board, and many other decision-makers and thought leaders in climate and energy.Then look out for a whole new season in 2019! Thank you for listening.Recommended reading: NYT: Joe Manchin Faces Liberal Opposition in Bid to Be Energy Panel’s Top Democrat Bloomberg: Bipartisan Climate Fee Backers to Plant Flag During Lame Duck GTM: Xcel Energy Commits to 100% Carbon-Free Electricity by 2050 Vox: US climate politics just got even more polarized. Here’s how Democrats can move forward. Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

The Sunrise Movement over a blue wave.It sounds like a tropical scene, but it was actually the state of affairs last week on Capitol Hill.As Democrats prepare to take control of the House in 2019, a group of young activists — backed by Representative-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — have put climate change front and center on the post-election agenda. And on protest signs right in front of Nancy Pelosi’s office door, as she seeks to become the next House speaker.In this episode of Political Climate, we discuss how established Democrats are responding to pressure from left to act on climate. And we speak with a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement about the group’s quest to establish a Select Committee on a Green New Deal.Plus, how did the 2018 midterms ultimately shake out? Things have changed quite a bit since our previous episode. We end, as always, with our “Say Something Nice” segment.Recommended reading: Green New Deal New Yorker: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi, and the Democratic Battles to Come in 2019 NYT: ‘Message of Change’: 16 Rebel Democrats Vow to Oppose Pelosi Washington Examiner: Defiant in defeat, Carlos Curbelo says climate change activism will help GOP Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

Democrats have claimed the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections. It gives the party powerful new oversight authority. But will it translate to meaningful action on climate and clean energy?Several moderate Republicans were voted out of Congress this week, casting doubt on any hope of bipartisan legislation. At the same time, Democrats now have chance to block the GOP's deregulatory activity and put climate and clean energy back the national agenda.  Then there are the states, where several Democrats campaigned and won on a platform endorsing 100 percent renewable energy. Several high-profile climate related ballot initiatives did not advance on Tuesday, but the outcome may not be as bad for clean energy as it may seem. In this episode of Political Climate, we debate the outcome of the 2018 midterms. Finally, we discuss the outcome of Brandon and Shane’s friendly O’Rourke vs. Cruz bet — and where to go for dinner.Recommended reading: GTM: Midterms 2018: Mixed Results for the Renewable Energy Agenda E&E: Dems prepare 'flood' of energy, climate investigations Inside Climate: Clean Energy’s Future Could Rise or Fall with These Governor’s Races Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

We’ve heard a lot about the potential for a "blue wave" in this year’s midterms — but what about a green one?We’re talking about all things climate and clean energy in the 2018 midterm election in this special episode of Political Climate, recorded live at Yale University.It’s less than a week until voting day. So how are climate and clean energy playing into this year’s election, for both Democrats and Republicans? In this show we’ll dissect campaign ads, talk about some tight races, track fundraising and discuss key ballot initiatives.Plus, we take a listener question on what to expect if Republicans hold onto Congress, and get Brandon and Shane’s midterm predictions.The final word: "Vote." Recommended reading: NYT: Three Campaign Ads That Are Putting Climate Change on the Agenda Vox: A Green New Deal is on the ballot in Washington state this year Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

A battle over the future of U.S. clean car standards just stepped up a gear. We sit down with the woman leading the charge against Trump to keep more stringent fuel economy rules in place. Mary Nichols is currently on her second tour as chair of the California Air Resources Board. Arguably no single individual has done more to advance the Golden State’s pioneering — and bipartisan — effort to clean up its air and combat climate change.In this episode, we get the backstory on California’s effort to block the Trump administration’s proposal to freeze federal fuel economy standards and rescind the state's ability to set its own rules (17:10). We also hear about the “dark forces” attempting to stall electric vehicle growth, and how California overcame political polarization to enact some of the nation’s most progressive climate policies.Recommended reading:  GTM: California Girds for Battle as EPA Rules to Weaken Vehicle Emissions Standards GTM: Exclusive: Top EPA Official Lays Out Post-Pruitt Policy Priorities  GTM: Cities, States and Businesses Within Striking Distance of Paris Climate Goals—Without Trump AEE: Where Do Candidates for Governor Stand on Advanced Energy Growth? The Hill: Dem senator calls for ban on Saudi Arabian oil imports Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.

Time is running out to combat climate change. The United Nations has released an alarming new climate science report — but will it even matter? We discuss how the report is being received by leaders in the U.S. and abroad.Plus, we look at the politics of ditching coal power. The new UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report calls for a global coal phase out by 2050. How feasible is that?Finally, Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been confirmed. We wrap up the show by wading into what that could mean for the midterms.Recommended reading: Vox: Report: we have just 12 years to limit devastating global warming Washington Examiner: Republican climate hawks hope dire UN report will sway skeptics  HBR: The Scale of the Climate Catastrophe Will Depend on What Businesses Do Over the Next Decade GTM: The Death of Global Coal Growth Guardian: Australian government backs coal in defiance of IPCC climate warning  GTM: Key Backer of Trump’s Coal and Nuclear Bailout Effort is Nominated to FERC GTM: Scrutinizing Judge Kavanaugh’s Past (Energy and Environmental Record)  WaPo: Another sign that the Kavanaugh fight is energizing Republican voters Subscribe to the Political Climate podcast via ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, TuneIn, Overcast, Stitcher and Spotify.Follow Political Climate on Twitter @Poli_Climate.