An environmental giant passed last week with the death of Pete McCloskey, a former Republican Congressman who co-authored the Endangered Species Act. He died at the age of 94. A Marine who served in the Korean War, McCloskey was perhaps best known for the politically fraught move of challenging a sitting president in his own party - Richard Nixon - in the 1972 presidential primary because of the Vietnam War. He was the first member of Congress — from either party — to call for President Nixon’s resignation during the Watergate scandal. After he left public office in the 1980s, he continued to champion peace and environmental causes. About fifteen years ago, he became an early supporter of young people bringing climate cases into the courts. In 2011 he came on Climate One with other experts to discuss the first suits that young people filed alleging the US government has a responsibility to protect a healthy atmosphere for future generations. That effort laid the groundwork for the ongoing case Juliana vs. United States and another that was recently won in Montana.It's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to drive positive change. Through our thought-provoking discussions and interviews, we strive not only to raise awareness of climate issues and solutions, but to also empower individuals — like each of our valued listeners — to take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future. You can show your support for Climate One by contributing to our spring fundraising campaign. For show notes and related links, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plastics are everywhere. And while we’ve known for a long time that plastics and our environment aren’t a good mix, it's becoming apparent that they’re massive climate polluters too. The production of plastics alone produces about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. After what is often a single use, the resulting waste continues releasing the greenhouse gasses ethylene and methane as it breaks apart. Yet, as petrochemical companies pay lip service ending fuel production, they are pouring resources into plastics production. How do we wrap up our reliance on plastics?Guests: Diane Wilson, Founder and Director, San Antonio Bay WaterkeeperJane Patton, U.S. Fossil Economy Campaign Manager, Center for International Environmental Law Susannah Scott, Professor of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara Alexis Jackson, Ocean Policy and Plastics Lead, California Chapter, The Nature Conservancy It's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to drive positive change. Through our thought-provoking discussions and interviews, we strive not only to raise awareness of climate issues and solutions, but to also empower individuals — like each of our valued listeners — to take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future. You can show your support for Climate One by contributing to our spring fundraising campaign.For show notes and related links, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Golden State has staked much of its reputation on its green credentials, with state leaders touting its role on the leading edge of global and national climate progress. But California is falling behind in meeting its ambitious emission targets, and has been criticized for over-relying on emerging clean energy technologies that may not bear out.At the same time, the state is at increasing risk from severe wildfires, epic floods and other impacts worsened by burning fossil fuels. What can the nation learn from California’s attempts to mitigate climate disruption?Guests:Scott Wiener, California State SenatorNancy Skinner, California State SenatorLiane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources BoardMari Rose Taruc, Energy Justice Director, California Environmental Justice AllianceEleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor, CaliforniaJennifer Barrera, President & CEO, California Chamber of CommerceIt's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to drive positive change. Through our thought-provoking discussions and interviews, we strive not only to raise awareness of climate issues and solutions, but to also empower individuals — like each of our valued listeners — to take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future. You can show your support for Climate One by contributing to our spring fundraising campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many businesses and governments have a goal of reaching net zero emissions. Sounds good. But what does “net zero” even mean? And how do we get there? Alicia Seiger is a lecturer at Stanford Law School and leads sustainability and energy finance initiatives at Stanford Law, Graduate School of Business, and the Doerr School for Sustainability. She argues that when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, businesses need to get as good at accounting for their pollution as they are for their dollars.Guest:Alicia Seiger, Lecturer, Stanford Law SchoolIt's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to drive positive change. Through our thought-provoking discussions and interviews, we strive not only to raise awareness of climate issues and solutions, but to also empower individuals — like each of our valued listeners — to take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future. You can show your support for Climate One by contributing to our spring fundraising campaign. For complete show notes, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2021, Mayor London Breed released the San Francisco Action Plan, which aims to achieve net zero emissions for the city by 2040. The plan not only charts the course for eliminating emissions over the next two decades but also includes commitments to ensure that the benefits of climate action are extended equitably to all communities. That was three years ago. So what progress has been made? And what strategies are in place to get the city to its 2040 target?Guest:Tyrone Jue, Director of the San Francisco Environment DepartmentIt's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to drive positive change. Through our thought-provoking discussions and interviews, we strive not only to raise awareness of climate issues and solutions, but to also empower individuals — like each of our valued listeners — to take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future. You can show your support for Climate One by contributing to our spring fundraising campaign. For complete show notes, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Batteries are a critical part of the transition away from fossil fuels. From electric vehicles to grid scale storage for wind and solar, demand for batteries is expected to grow 500% by 2030. In order to meet that demand, we’re going to need a lot more batteries. And while companies like JB Straubel’s Redwood Materials are building capacity for recycling, for now that means a lot more mining. With the battery supply chain only growing more critical as the electric vehicle market matures, we’re revisiting this critical episode from last summer exploring how to build a battery supply chain that meets demand while reducing harm.Guests: JB Straubel, Founder and CEO, Redwood Materials Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director, Initiative for Responsible Mining AssuranceSupport Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Support Climate One for just $5/month.For complete show notes, visit our website.This episode was underwritten by ClimateWorks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Golden State has staked much of its reputation on its green credentials, with state leaders often touting its role on the leading edge of global and national climate progress. But California is falling behind in meeting its ambitious emission targets, and has been criticized for over relying on emerging clean energy technologies that may not bear out — and worse, increase harm to communities of color and low-income households. What role should regulators and community advocates play in ensuring our clean energy transition remains equitable and on track? Guests:Liane M. Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources BoardMari Rose Taruc, Energy Justice Director, California Environmental Justice Alliance🎟️ There are limited tickets still available for Climate One's suite of SF Climate Week events this Thursday. See you soon!Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Join today for just $5/month.For show notes, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On behalf of the People of the State of California, Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against five of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, along with the lobbying organization American Petroleum Institute, for willfully misleading the public about climate change. How big a deal could this lawsuit be?Guest:Rob Bonta, California Attorney GeneralDid you enjoy this conversation? Wish you could've been there to see the full show? Tickets for the rest of SF Climate Week at Climate One are still available! Climate One hosts live events on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday in celebration of SF Climate Week, and we want you in the room. Join us!Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord.  Join today for just $5/month.For show notes, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discussing the impact of AI on the climate crisis, from optimizing energy systems to tracking greenhouse gas emissions. Exploring the massive energy consumption of AI, likened to whole countries, and how to balance its benefits with environmental costs. Guests share insights on Microsoft's AI strategy, transparency in climate negotiations, and the role of AI in combating climate misinformation.

In August 2022, Congress passed the biggest piece of climate legislation in our nation’s history: The Inflation Reduction Act, which put $400 billion into boosting the transition to a clean energy economy over the next ten years. The IRA has spurred companies to announce nearly $110 billion of investment in new factories to build EVs, batteries and renewable energy facilities. That’s driving investments, reshoring of manufacturing, and real change.This week we check in on the impact of the IRA in the last 18 months. What impact has the IRA really had on US emissions so far? Has the IRA distributed money to fulfill its climate justice initiatives? Guests:Trevor Houser, Partner, Rhodium GroupDanny Kennedy, CEO, New Energy NexusBineshi Albert, Former Co-Executive Director, Climate Justice AllianceThis piece also includes a reported feature from Emily Jones of WABE in Atlanta and Grist.Climate One will be celebrating SF Climate Week with a series of programs featuring California and the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading voices in policy, climate justice, and business. The week will showcase interviews with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senators Nancy Skinner and Scott Wiener, and California Environmental Justice Association’s Energy Justice Director Mari Rose Taruc, among others, about the challenges and opportunities facing the nation’s innovation capital when it comes to addressing climate change. On Tuesday, Climate One will also be hosting an Action Lounge, where attendees will be able to join local climate and environmental organizations, apply for green jobs, and receive guidance from climate career coaches. See you there!Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Join today for just $5/month.For show notes and related links, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices