With a new pro-science, pro-climate action administration in the White House, there are more pathways — and far greater political will — than ever before for the clean energy transition. The question is now less about what can be done to act on climate, and more about how soon. 
“We have the best opportunity in more than a decade now to see federal climate action through legislation,” says Leah Stokes from UC Santa Barbara. So how quickly can a new administration turn around a gutted EPA, myriad environmental law rollbacks, and a legacy of climate denial from fossil fuel companies?
Guests:
Michael Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science, Penn State University
Leah Stokes, Assistant Professor of Political Science, UC Santa Barbara

Related Links:
﻿Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet
Short Circuiting Policy: Interest Groups and the Battle Over Clean Energy and Climate Policy in the American States
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This Moment in Climate with Michael Mann & Leah Stokes

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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Batteries are a critical part of the transition away from fossil fuels. From electric vehicles to grid scale storage for wind and solar, demand for batteries is expected to grow 500% by 2030. In order to meet that demand, we’re going to need a lot more batteries. 
And while companies like JB Straubel’s Redwood Materials are building capacity for recycling, for now that means a lot more mining. With the battery supply chain only growing more critical as the electric vehicle market matures, we’re revisiting this critical episode from last summer exploring how to build a battery supply chain that meets demand while reducing harm.
Guests: 
JB Straubel, Founder and CEO, Redwood Materials 
Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance
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This episode was underwritten by ClimateWorks.
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REWIND: Building a Better Battery Supply Chain with JB Straubel and Aimee Boulanger

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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This Moment in Climate with Michael Mann & Leah Stokes

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