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Political Climate

Political Climate

art19.com/shows/political-climate

A biweekly and bipartisan podcast on energy and environmental politics in America. Political Climate goes beyond the echo chambers and brings you civil conversations, fierce debates and insider perspectives, with hosts and guests from across the political spectrum. Join Democrat and Republican energy experts Brandon Hurlbut and Shane Skelton, along with Greentech Media Senior Editor Julia Pyper, as we explore how energy and environment policies get made.

Midterm Results: Was Climate a Winner?

Nov 8 • 49 min

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…

LIVE: A Green Wave Election?

Oct 31 • 57 min

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…

California’s Clean Air Czar on the Fight for Fuel Economy

Oct 26 • 43 min

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…

No Planet, No Politics

Oct 15 • 43 min

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…

Finding (Politically Viable) Climate Solutions

Oct 10 • 46 min

Cutting fossil fuel subsidies, updating building codes, offering electric vehicle ridesharing programs for farm workers, and more. In this show, we talk climate solutions. A new landmark United Nations climate report concluded that world leaders have just…

The Business Case for Carbon Pricing

Oct 3 • 33 min

Is an federal carbon price worth pursuing in a politically divided United States? We hear the case for why it is. Advocates say an economy-wide carbon tax would send a clear market signal to emitters, while accounting for the externalities and risks that…

California’s Quest for Deep Decarbonization

Sep 19 • 27 min

“Decarbonization” was the catchword of last week’s Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. Stakeholders from all over the world made new commitments to combatting climate change. But the spotlight was really on California, where Governor Jerry…

Taking 100% From ‘Radical’ to Reality

Sep 5 • 45 min

California lawmakers just passed an historic 100 percent clean electricity mandate. A few years ago, advocating for 100 percent clean energy was considered radical. Even some political allies of the cause argued that the concept was so far-fetched it was…

Senator Heinrich’s 100% Clean Energy Vision

Aug 21 • 24 min

Senator Martin Heinrich believes a 100 percent clean energy electric grid is within reach during his lifetime. There will be technical challenges to overcome, but it’s “completely doable,” he said, in an exclusive interview with Political Climate. This…

Too Alarmist? Not Alarmist Enough?

Aug 17 • 54 min

Are people who care about climate change downplaying the issue under social and political pressure? Has their alarmism been too muted? Or has the outcry become so loud that it’s drowning out the possibility of collective action? The jury is out. In this…

LIVE: ‘What’s So Upsetting?’

Aug 6 • 46 min

Political tribalism has created gridlock on climate policy — even more so than the polarization on climate science — according to a new peer-reviewed study. If that’s the case, is there any hope of action any time soon? Tensions are running high. It’s…

Millennials Seek Bipartisan Action on Climate

Jul 25 • 59 min

What does the rise of millennials mean for climate action? Will this plugged-in generation make climate change a priority? Can they find common ground between liberals and conservatives to solve this issue collectively? Millennials are on the brink of…

Top EPA Official Talks Policy Post Pruitt

Jul 10 • 73 min

Scott Pruitt is officially out at the Environmental Protection Agency. Former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler has stepped in as acting administrator. What does this mean for U.S. climate policy? We asked a top EPA official. In this episode, Mandy Gunasekara,…

Fossil Fuel Dollars and Democrats

Jun 20 • 59 min

The Democratic National Committee recently decided to no longer accept campaign donations from fossil fuel companies. The move signals the party’s commitment to addressing climate change. But could blocking contributions from oil, gas and coal companies…

The Hypocritical Politics of Gas Prices

Jun 5 • 38 min

Gas prices are always a hot-button political issue, and especially in an election year. In the latest showdown, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blames a spike in gas prices on President Trump’s “reckless decision” to pull out of the Iran…

The 2018 Election Preview

May 29 • 58 min

There are a lot of questions swirling around the 2018 midterm election — including how energy and climate issues will play into this broader political moment. Can pro-climate Republicans hold on to their seats in Congress? Will Democratic candidates with…

LIVE: ‘The Only Way to Save Ourselves’

May 4 • 59 min

Republicans are often viewed as enemies of the clean energy transition. Some people believe the GOP will never embrace climate action. So is voting them out the only way to save the planet? If you ask environmental policy pioneer Terry Tamminen, the…

Winners and Losers in Trump’s America

Apr 27 • 51 min

President Trump is considering the use of a Cold War-era defense act to shore up struggling coal and nuclear power plants, something the administration argues is essential to U.S. national security. But critics say this is the government picking winners…

Paul Ryan Bows Out, Scott Pruitt in Hot Water

Apr 16 • 39 min

House Speaker Paul Ryan announced last week that he won’t seek reelection in 2018. His decision will have major consequences for the Republican Party — and potentially for climate and energy policy. In the second episode of GTM’s new podcast Political…

The Inaugural Episode

Apr 12 • 38 min

The November midterm election is coming up fast. It could trigger a major power shift with both the House and Senate up for grabs. Will energy and climate be voting issues in 2018? Recent Gallup polling shows the partisan divide is widening over…