This episode of Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Led to Political Chaos explores the emotional and psychological forces that fueled climate skepticism and the role of media and fossil fuel interests in amplifying doubt. It examines how the once bipartisan approach to climate action fractured, with key players like conservative media and environmental activists shaping public perceptions. The episode highlights how emotional manipulation and misinformation campaigns delayed meaningful climate action and offers insights into reclaiming the narrative for a bipartisan path forward.

Chelsea Henderson

Katie Zakrzewski

RepublicEn: https://republicen.org

Green Tea Party Radio: https://greenteapartyradio.com

Union of Concerned Scientists: https://www.ucsusa.org

Citizens Climate Education: https://citizensclimateeducation.org

Inside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org

The Guardian’s Climate Reporting: https://theguardian.com/environment

Chelsea Henderson:

Katie Zakreski:

Peterson Toscano:

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With the election behind us, we’ll have a clearer picture of the opportunities and constraints the new Congress may present for implementing a carbon price. Join Dr. Danny Richter, CCL’s Policy Fellow as he walks us through the lay of the land and how carbon pricing policy could evolve and tie in with tax policy reform.

The urgency of the climate crisis demands bold action to cut net emissions as swiftly as possible. Clean Energy Permitting Reform offers a critical opportunity to make substantial progress with the U.S. currently off-track to meet Paris Agreement commitments. Rob Gramlich President, Grid Strategies LLC and Shane Londagin Senior Policy Advisor for Innovation, Third Way join CCL's Research Coordinator Dana Nuccitelli to discuss the need for more permitting reform and why CCL believes the Energy Permitting Reform Act can lead to meaningful emissions reductions.

An inside look at the upcoming legislative landscape and what we can expect moving forward. Our legislative team — Ben Pendergrass and Mindy Ahler — reviews our goals for the remainder of this Congressional session and what’s on the horizon as a new Congress moves into focus. Learn why Permitting Reform will continue to be a policy priority and what work we can do before this Congress ends in a few weeks. We’ll also review our upcoming Lobbying Asks.

CCL's Executive Director looks ahead to our work in the 119th Congress.

Throughout the year, CCL’s policy roadmap has steered us on our journey to influence America’s climate policy. CCL’s Vice President of Communications, Flannery Winchester, reviews our advancements this year and what’s on the road ahead as we travel into 2025.

Senator-elect John Curtis (R-UT) shares his story to becoming a climate champion and his appreciation for the work and methods of Citizens' Climate Lobby.

CCL's Executive Director Rachel Kerestes sets the tone for a weekend of inspiration and transformational advocacy. Rachel reflects on our progress this year, outlines our path forward as a new Congress commences, and lays out our priorities and focus heading into 2025. Be sure to join us as Rachel reinforces CCL’s commitment to bipartisanship during polarized times and why this approach not only makes us uniquely effective but remains crucial to the incredible work our volunteers do.

Join CCL Research Coordinator Dana Nuccitelli to learn about the scientific evidence for climate change and answers common questions. Citizens’ Climate’s mission is to create the political will for a livable world, and we won’t stop working until we have a healthy and stable climate.

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Presentation Slides:  https://cclusa.org/cvtclimatescience 

By the 1990s, momentum for climate action was growing, but so was opposition. In Episode 4 of Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, host Peterson Toscano examines how fossil fuel interests, economic priorities, and cultural shifts began to unravel bipartisan efforts. Featuring insights from Chelsea Henderson and Katie Zakrzewski, this episode dives into the psychological and cultural barriers that fueled climate skepticism, the emergence of echo chambers, and the rise of polarization. Despite these challenges, the episode highlights leaders like Senator John McCain, whose bipartisan efforts provided hope for climate solutions.

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Want to learn how you can get involved in bipartisan climate solutions? Visit cclusa.org/action. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends or on social media. Every share helps inspire more people to take meaningful action on climate change.

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Music: Our theme music is Chasing Stories by Elise Silvestri. Other music byEpidemic Sound.