Some environmentalists said the law extending California’s cap and trade system to 2030 is a sellout to the oil industry and it shortchanges disadvantaged communities that breathe the dirtiest air. How do California’s climate moves play into national politics and policy? Will climate and energy play a meaningful role in the upcoming midterm elections? Will companies make energy policy more of a priority? We look back at how Gov. Schwarzenegger set the tone and how his past leadership continues to influence California’s policies today.

David R. Baker

Energy Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle

Mike Mielke

Sr. Vice President, Environment & Energy, Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Parin Shah

Senior Strategist, Asian Pacific Environmental Network

Studio segment: US Senator Brian Schatz

Portions of this program were recorded in front of a live audience at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, CA on August 29, 2017.