Just ten years ago, an entire state running on 100% renewable electricity seemed fanciful. But this dreamy vision became reality when, with the backing of big utilities, California committed to 100% use of zero-carbon electricity by 2045. A statewide pledge to go carbon-neutral by 2045 raised the stakes even higher. So what will it take for California to achieve such a feat? Will Governor Gavin Newsom embrace climate initiatives started by former Governor Jerry Brown? Join us in a discussion of California’s surprise gambit to take the world’s fifth largest economy to net zero.


Guests:
John Hofmeister, Former President, Shell Oil Company; Founder and Chief Executive, Citizens for Affordable Energy
Bob Holycross, Global Director, Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters, Ford Motor Company
Mary Nichols, Chair, California Air Resources Board
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Can California Go Carbon Neutral?

We’re living through a climate emergency; addressing this crisis begins by talking about it. Co-Hosts Greg Dalton and Ariana Brocious bring you empowering conversations that connect all aspects of the challenge — the scary and the exciting, the individual and the systemic. Join us.
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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 Board
Mari Rose Taruc, Energy Justice Director, California Environmental Justice Alliance


SF Climate Week 2024: Is California on Track for an Affordable and Just Energy Transition?

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 General
Did 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!
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SF Climate Week 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Suing Big Oil

Artificial intelligence can do some pretty amazing things, including for the climate. AI can help optimize the electric grid, make heating and cooling buildings more efficient, and pinpoint exactly where greenhouse gas emissions are coming from all around the world. 
On the other hand, the energy use of AI is massive and growing. A recent study estimates that in just a few years, the extra energy needed will equal whole countries the size of Sweden or Argentina. How do we make sure the benefits of AI outweigh its energy costs?
Guests
Karen Hao, Contributing Writer, The Atlantic 
Gavin McCormick, Cofounder and Executive Director, WattTime; Cofounder, Climate TRACE
Priya Donti, Assistant Professor, MIT; Co-founder and Chair of Climate Change AI 
Amy McGovern, Professor of Computer Science, University of Oklahoma 
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Artificial Intelligence, Real Climate Impacts

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 Group
Danny Kennedy, CEO, New Energy Nexus
Bineshi Albert, Former Co-Executive Director, Climate Justice Alliance
This 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!
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Nearly 2 Years In… Is the Inflation Reduction Act Delivering Yet?

Even before Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” brought climate change to the mainstream, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert was on the beat. Her reporting in the early 2000s culminated in her book “Field Notes from a Catastrophe,” which sounded the alarm on the causes and effects of global warming. 
Nearly 20 years later, Kolbert is still bringing the climate story to the public with her new book “H Is for Hope: Climate Change from A to Z.” The book is told in bite size vignettes that paint a picture of our climate present, what the future may hold and where there may be space for hope. 
Guests:
Elizabeth Kolbert, Journalist and Author
Molly Wood, Climate Solutions Investor and Podcaster
Sister True Dedication, Zen Buddhist Nun
Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., CEO, Hip Hop Caucus
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Join today for just $5/month.
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Elizabeth Kolbert headshot copyright Elizabeth Kolbert
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Can California Go Carbon Neutral?

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