In this penultimate episode of Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, we expand our focus beyond the United States to explore the global landscape of climate skepticism. Climate denial is not just an American phenomenon but takes on unique forms in different nations, influenced by cultural, political, and economic factors. We compare the deeply entrenched skepticism in the U.S. with the varied approaches seen in countries like China, Germany, Australia, and South Korea, shedding light on what drives climate attitudes worldwide.

Featuring insights from four dynamic voices, this episode delves into how media, education, and policy influence public perception and what lessons can be learned from global successes and failures in addressing climate change.

Featured Guests:

Katie Zakrzewski: Co-host of Green Tea Party Radio and a young conservative from the South, Katie provides a deep dive into climate skepticism in the U.S. and contrasts it with Europe and beyond.

Horace Mo: Former Citizens Climate Radio intern, Horace shares his experiences growing up in China and reflects on the nation’s ambitious strides in renewable energy and urban planning.

Jose Aguto: Climate advocate and former Associate Director of the Catholic Climate Covenant, Jose discusses the global Catholic response to climate change and the unique challenges faced by the U.S. Church.

Zach Torpie: Co-host of Green Tea Party Radio, Zach highlights how young conservatives are driving forward-thinking climate solutions and pushing for energy independence through renewables.

Organizations and Resources Mentioned:

Citizens’ Climate Lobby Action Page: cclusa.org/action

Catholic Climate Covenant: catholicclimatecovenant.org

Green Tea Party Radio: Available wherever you get podcasts.

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication: climatecommunication.yale.edu

BTS Center’s Climate Changed Podcast: Visit Climate Changed Podcast

Join the Conversation

Engage with other listeners and share your thoughts on our social media channels. Follow and connect with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

Tune in next month for more inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time.

We Want to Hear from You

Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org

Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)

Credits

Research: Horace Mo Mo, Lily Rushen, Peterson Toscano

Editorial Assistance: Flannery Winchester, Elise Silvestri, Brett Cease

Production: Peterson Toscano, Elise Silvestri

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

In Hot Mess Part Six: Snowballs, Skepticism, and Climate Lies, we uncover the deliberate tactics used to mislead the public about climate change, highlighting key players like the Koch brothers and Senator James Inhofe, alongside truth-tellers like former Representative Bob Inglis. The episode examines how misinformation campaigns, economic fearmongering, and symbolic stunts, such as Senator Inhofe’s infamous snowball moment, undermined climate science and bipartisan efforts for climate solutions.

Featuring insights from guests Chelsea Henderson and Katie Zakrzewski, the episode delves into the emotional and cultural barriers to climate action and explores how understanding these dynamics can foster a path toward bipartisan collaboration and meaningful solutions.

Guest Profiles

Chelsea Henderson

Host of EcoRight Speaks Podcast and author of The Inside Story of Climate Politics.

Chelsea provides in-depth analysis of how the Koch brothers funded a web of organizations to sow doubt about climate science and resist regulatory action.

Katie Zakrzewski

Co-host of Green Tea Party Radio.

Katie critiques how Senator Inhofe’s snowball stunt became a rallying cry for climate denial and explores the emotional resonance of his rhetoric with conservative audiences.

Representative Bob Inglis

Former Republican Congressman from South Carolina and Executive Director of RepublicEn.

Bob shares his personal journey from climate skeptic to advocate, emphasizing how conservative values align with environmental stewardship.

Compelling Quotes

Chelsea Henderson:

"The Koch brothers conned millions into believing polluters shouldn’t be held accountable for their pollution while everyday Americans pick up the tab."

Katie Zakrzewski:

"He sure did undo 30 to 50 years of science by throwing a snowball. It’s the equivalent of saying world hunger isn’t real because I just ate lunch."

Representative Bob Inglis:

"Protecting the vulnerable is loving God and loving people. Surely, that’s what climate action is about."

Learn more about how you can engage in meaningful climate action. Visit www.cclusa.org/action

Learn more about Bob Inglis and the work of RepublicEN by visiting https://republicen.org

Summary

Citizens Climate Radio presents Hot Mess. This episode dives deep into the emotional and psychological factors that fuel climate skepticism, exploring how fear, anger, anxiety, and uncertainty are exploited to sow doubt. It highlights the calculated efforts of fossil fuel industries and conservative media to manipulate public perception and examines how fear-based messaging from environmentalists sometimes backfired. Listeners will gain insight into how emotional responses shape climate inaction and how we can navigate these barriers to foster informed decision-making.

Guests

Chelsea Henderson

Host of RepublicEn's Eco Right Speaks Podcast.

Author of Glacial: The Untold Story of Climate Politics.

Chelsea discusses the role of conservative media and the polarizing politics of climate change.

Katie Zakrzewski

Co-host of Green Tea Party Radio.

Katie critiques fear-based environmental strategies and their unintended consequences for climate advocacy.

Show page: www.cclusa.org/radio

Take Action: www.cclusa.org/action

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.

Key Topics:

The cultural and psychological roots of climate skepticism in the 1990s.

How values of individualism and economic freedom clashed with environmental regulation.

The role of cognitive dissonance and echo chambers in shaping public opinion.

The rise of Senator John McCain as a climate advocate.

Insights into the McCain-Lieberman Climate Change Bill of 2003.

Featured Guests:

Chelsea Henderson: Host of Eco Right Speaks and author of Glacial: The Inside Story of Climate Politics.

Katie Zakrzewski: Co-host of Green Tea Party Radio and climate advocate.

Standout Quotes:

Katie Zakrzewski: "This is where the polarization really begins...economic priorities took precedence, creating a divide between regulation and free-market values."

Chelsea Henderson: "John McCain made a promise to New Hampshire voters: I will learn about climate change, and he kept his word."

Episode Highlights:

[00:02:15] How cultural values in the 1990s paved the way for climate skepticism.

[00:06:30] The role of cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias in resisting climate science.

[00:15:40] The bipartisan McCain-Lieberman Climate Change Bill and its challenges.

[00:20:50] Katie Zakrzewski’s perspective on the importance of engaging conservatives in climate action.

Call to Action

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.

Join the Conversation

Engage with other listeners and share your thoughts on our social media channels. Follow and connect with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

Tune in next month for more inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time.

We Want to Hear from You

Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org

Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)

Credits

Research: Horace Mo Mo, Lily Rushen, Peterson Toscano

Editorial Assistance: Flannery Winchester, Elise Silvestri, Brett Cease

Production: Peterson Toscano, Elise Silvestri

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

Show Notes for Hot Mess: The Great Climate Divide - How Consensus Became Chaos

Episode Summary: In this third episode of Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, host Peterson Toscano unravels the pivotal shifts that transformed bipartisan climate cooperation into a landscape rife with skepticism and polarization. Joined by guests Chelsea Henderson and Katie Zarkreski, the conversation delves into the rise of disinformation campaigns, strategic political alliances, and economic anxieties that redefined the public perception of climate change.

Key Topics:

Early Momentum and Opposition: The episode begins by revisiting the climate action momentum of the early 1990s and how fossil fuel interests orchestrated disinformation campaigns to cast doubt on climate science.

Industry Playbooks and Political Strategy: Chelsea Henderson, director at republicEn, explains the fossil fuel industry’s approach: sowing fear about economic impacts and casting scientific doubt. She reveals how well-funded ad campaigns promoted skepticism and stalled meaningful climate policy.

From Climate Skepticism to Political Gridlock: Katie Zarkreski, co-host of Green Tea Party Radio, discusses the fossil fuel industry’s long history of suppressing climate science findings. Katie examines how both major political parties, under pressure from industry donors, began shifting away from environmental priorities.

The Role of Key Players: The episode spotlights influential groups like Koch Industries and the Global Climate Coalition, revealing how they fueled a culture of denial and gridlock, reinforcing economic fears and blocking policies, from carbon taxes to international treaties.

A Bipartisan Complication: Despite traditionally pro-environment platforms, Democrats also contributed to climate inaction. Katie discusses the nuanced role both parties played in the evolving skepticism and economic focus of the era, setting the stage for today’s divided climate politics.

Featured Guests:

Chelsea Henderson - Host of Eco Right Speaks and director of Editorial Content at republicEn. Chelsea brings over 25 years of climate policy expertise, offering insights into the mechanics of climate politics in Washington, D.C. https://republicen.org/podcast

Katie Zarkreski - Co-host of Green Tea Party Radio and climate advocate with a background in faith-based environmental stewardship, Katie shares her journey from skepticism to activism, highlighting how conservative values align with climate action. https://greenteapartyradio.podbean.com

Call to Action

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.

Join the Conversation

Engage with other listeners and share your thoughts on our social media channels. Follow and connect with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

Tune in next month for more inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time.

We Want to Hear from You

Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org

Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)

Credits

Research: Horace Mo Mo, Lily Rushen, Peterson Toscano

Editorial Assistance: Flannery Winchester, Elise Silvestri, Brett Cease

Production: Peterson Toscano, Elise Silvestri

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

In this episode of Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, Peterson Toscano introduces us to Marshall Saunders, a man whose unexpected journey from a Texas businessman to a climate advocate sparked a powerful movement. Saunders, the founder of Citizens Climate Lobby, channeled his skills and personal growth into creating a grassroots organization that has inspired climate action across the political spectrum.

Hot Mess is a six-part series hosted by Peterson Toscano that uncovers the untold stories behind the rise and fall of bipartisan efforts to address climate change in the United States.

For complete show notes and a full transcript of this episode, visit www.cclusa.org/radio

Key Themes

The personal transformation of Marshall Saunders.

The founding of Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL).

Citizen-driven advocacy and bipartisan climate solutions.

Using market-based approaches to address climate change.

Listen Now!

Featured Guests

Marshall Saunders

Marshall was born in Waco, Texas, and was the founder of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. He began his business career and became active in the microfinancing movement. His personal story of transformation from a businessman to his focus on climate solutions has inspired hundreds of thousands of CCL volunteers.

Chelsea Henderson

Chelsea, host of RepublicEn’s Eco Right Speaks podcast, returns to provide context on the importance of conservative involvement in climate action. She shares what she sees Conservatives bring to the table regarding climate change solutions. Chelsea wrote the book, Glacial: he Untold Story of Climate Politics.

Standout Quotes

“Yes, he literally paved paradise and put in a parking lot. He was that guy.” – Peterson Toscano

“We trust that ordinary people can get the job done… It’s a trusting in ordinary people, not people who are powerful, but ordinary people.” – Marshall Saunders

Episode Highlights

00:03:45 – Marshall Saunders' early life as a businessman, paving parking lots and living a life of separateness.

00:10:15 – A transformative personal growth workshop that led Saunders to care deeply about the world around him.

00:18:30 – Founding Citizens Climate Lobby and the innovative, citizen-driven advocacy model Saunders championed.

00:24:50 – The “carbon fee and dividend” plan: a market-based approach to climate action with bipartisan appeal.

00:30:40 – The growth of CCL and its influence on climate policy, thanks to thousands of dedicated volunteers.

Call to Action

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.

Join the Conversation

Engage with other listeners and share your thoughts on our social media channels. Follow and connect with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

Tune in next month for more inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time.

We Want to Hear from You

Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org

Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)

Credits

Research: Horace Mo Mo, Lily Rushen, Peterson Toscano

Editorial Assistance: Flannery Winchester, Elise Silvestri, Brett Cease

Production: Peterson Toscano, Elise Silvestri

Music: Our theme music is Chasing Stories by Elise Silvestri—other music by Epidemic Sound.

Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos is a six-part series hosted by Peterson Toscano that uncovers the untold stories behind the rise and fall of bipartisan efforts to address climate change in the United States.

In this first episode, Peterson Toscano takes listeners back to a time when political cooperation on climate issues was possible. The episode explores the beginnings of climate politics in the 1960s, including early warnings about carbon emissions and surprising cross-party collaborations that are difficult to imagine today.

Key Themes

The origins of climate politics in the 1960s.

Bipartisan collaboration on environmental legislation.

Early climate activism from figures across the political spectrum.

Featured Guest

Chelsea Henderson

Chelsea hosts RepublicEn’s Eco Right Speaks podcast and has long advocated for conservative-led climate solutions. In this episode, she shares her insights into the early days of bipartisan cooperation and the conservative movement's role in addressing climate change.

Standout Quotes

“We must prevent the overheating of our planet, and that will take decisive action from everyone.” – Audio clip from Margaret Thatcher.

“Nancy Pelosi and Newt Gingrich sitting on the same couch, talking about the climate, alongside Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson—truly, a coalition that seems unimaginable today.” – Peterson Toscano.

Episode Highlights

00:05:15 – Lyndon B. Johnson's 1965 climate briefing: The earliest official recognition of climate threats.

00:12:45 – Richard Nixon established key environmental protections, marking bipartisan action.

00:18:30 – Margaret Thatcher addresses the United Nations about the risks of climate change internationally.

00:22:15 – 2008 We Can Solve It bipartisan climate campaign featuring Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Rev. All Sharpton, and Rev. Pat Robertson brought together unlikely allies to tackle climate change.

Call to Action

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.

Join the Conversation

Engage with other listeners and share your thoughts on our social media channels. Follow and connect with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

Tune in next month for more inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time.

We Want to Hear from You

Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org

Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)

Credits

Research: Horace Mo Mo, Lily Rushen, Peterson Toscano

Editorial Assistance: Flannery Winchester, Elise Silvestri, Brett Cease

Production: Peterson Toscano, Elise Silvestri

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

Our 100th episode of Citizens Climate Radio focuses on climate adaptation and how it’s shaping new career paths. Doug Parsons, host of the America Adapts podcast, join us and shares his insights on the urgent need for adaptation and the exciting opportunities in this evolving field. We also hear from an engineering student who reveals how he discovered a new climate-related career path. Plus, we share a special report from the future about unexpected climate solution celebrities.

Doug Parsons on Climate Adaptation

Doug Parsons explains that while mitigating climate change by reducing emissions is critical, adaptation—preparing for its impacts—is equally important. From wildfires to sea-level rise, communities must adapt to the changes already happening. Doug discusses “managed retreat” and the hard choices ahead for places like Miami, but he also highlights how climate adaptation offers a fast-growing sector full of opportunities for new careers.

"Adaptation is such an evolving field. If anyone says they know exactly what they're doing, they're lying to you. But that’s what makes it so exciting—you can influence it." —Doug Parsons.

Listen Now!

Why Climate? Featuring Justin Baumann

We feature Justin Baumann, an engineering management student at Stevens Institute of Technology. Justin shares his journey into climate work, combining his passion for technology and community care. He discusses how climate change initially seemed distant but soon became a central focus in his studies and career aspirations. Attending the Waterfront Alliance’s annual conference opened doors and gave Justin a new understanding of his role in our rapidly changing world.

What about you? Why are you passionate about climate change work? Let us know by email radio @ clitizensclimate.org

Jobs of the Future

In this episode, we leap into the future. What will the job market look like in a world profoundly shaped by climate change? This radio play originally aired on the Climate Stew podcast and offers a humorous yet thought-provoking look at how engineers may be future celebrities.

Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos

Mark your calendars! We are excited to announce our upcoming six-part series, Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos. Premiering on Friday, November 1, 2024, this series explores how the united global concern over climate change unraveled, stalling progress. We’ll take you behind the scenes, revealing overlooked moments and heroes of the climate movement and the forces that drove political chaos.

Production Team:

Written and produced by Peterson Toscano, Tamara Staton, Dana Nuccitelli, and Elise Silvestri.

Technical support by Ricky Bradley and Brett Cease.

Social media assistance by Flannery Winchester.

Music by Epidemic Sound.

Join the Conversation:

Follow and engage with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok. Share your thoughts and join the discussion using #CitizensClimateRadio.

Call or text our listener voicemail line: (619) 512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA).

Email us at radio @ citizensclimate.org.

In this episode, learn about the U.S. Energy Permitting Reform Act and how a music class inspired a student to gain new insights on climate change. We also explore how listening enhances climate communication skills.

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit www.cclusa.org/radio

Barbara Wankollie’s Soundscape: Climate and Colonization Through Sound

We highlight Barbara Wankollie, a Liberian political science student at Bucknell University. She created a soundscape reflecting on colonization and Africa’s role in the Anthropocene, inspired by Gabrielle Hecht’s essay The African Anthropocene. Barbara’s piece blends original music with field recordings, starting with rain and drums to symbolize harmony with nature, then shifting to industrial sounds representing colonization’s disruption. A powerful moment in her work came from an accidental recording during a trip to Baltimore, where she and her international friends reflected on Black community and identity. This soundscape offers a unique lens on the intersection of climate and colonization.

The Nerd Corner: The Energy Permitting Reform Act

Dana Nuccitelli unpacks the bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act, which aims to streamline clean energy projects while boosting fossil fuel extraction. A "super team" of experts modeled the bill’s impact, estimating it could reduce U.S. climate pollution by up to 25% by 2050, with fossil fuel provisions having minimal effect on increasing emissions. This act could play a key role in a cleaner energy future.

Resilience Corner: The Power of Listening

Tamara Staton explores how deep listening enhances collaboration, reduces stress, and builds emotional resilience, which is crucial for long-term climate action. She connects listening to improved trust, creativity, and support within the climate movement, highlighting its value in both personal and professional resilience.

Angry and Ready: Dana R. Fisher's Climate Call to Action

In this month's Citizens’ Climate Radio, host Peterson Toscano introduces listeners to the fiery and determined voice of Dana R. Fisher, a veteran in the climate change movement with nearly three decades of experience. Fisher, the author of “Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action,” delivers a searing critique of the fossil fuel industry and the ineffectiveness of incremental policy changes. This episode challenges listeners to consider the strategies needed to combat climate change and our roles in this fight.

For transcript and full show notes, visit www.cclusa.org/radio

Good News: Bipartisan Success on Energy Permitting Reform

Peterson shares a rare piece of bipartisan good news. The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced the Energy Permitting Reform Act with overwhelming support. This bill, which aims to streamline the permitting process for green energy projects, marks a significant step forward in building a sustainable energy infrastructure in the United States. The bipartisan nature of this success serves as a hopeful reminder that cooperation is still possible in the fight against climate change.

Why Climate? Featuring Dalton Jackson

In this episode’s Why Climate? segment, Dalton Jackson, a college senior from rural Indiana who is working on conservative outreach with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, shares how growing up on a farm and learning about engines sparked his interest in climate change, particularly the importance of transitioning to sustainable energy sources.

Dalton emphasizes that convincing conservatives to engage in climate action often requires focusing on the economic benefits rather than solely the environmental impacts. He believes that more conservatives can be brought into the climate conversation by highlighting the cost savings and economic opportunities of clean energy. Dalton’s story is a powerful reminder that climate action can resonate across political divides when framed in terms of different values and priorities.

Learn more about CCL Conservative at CCLUSA.org/Conservatives.

Youth Corner: The Climate GOAT Campaign

In this episode’s CCL Youth Corner, Veda Ganesan introduces the Climate GOAT Campaign, a youth-driven initiative to make climate action a voting priority. The campaign focuses on relational organizing and deep canvassing, encouraging young people to engage their communities in meaningful conversations about the climate crisis.

Learn more about CCL Youth and the GOAT Campaign at CCLUSA.org/Youth

Resilience Corner: Self-Care in Climate Work

Tamara Staton returns with the Resilience Corner, reflecting on the challenges of integrating self-care into climate activism. Staton discusses the internal conflicts many climate activists face when prioritizing personal well-being and offers strategies for maintaining resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Find out more about building resilience in your climate change work by visiting CCLUSA.org/resilience.

Feeling inspired by what you heard in this episode?

For general actions and campaigns, Visit www.cclusa.org/action

We Want to Hear from You

Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org

Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)