Refreshed from my long weekend in Maine, where I woke up daily before the sun, it’s discombobulating, especially after an especially long (calendar-wise) summer that Labor Day is ahead of us and not behind.
When we come back from the last long weekend of summer: it’s full steam ahead into fall and all the events awaiting our attention, including National Clean Energy Week, New York Climate Week, Florida Climate Week, and, of course, more events, more podcasts, more newsletters like this one.
The EcoRight plunges forward.
Holding space for those you disagree with
It’s been a few seasons since I’ve met a new best friend from the podcast. So I’m extra thrilled that this time around, I made two!
Despite different upbringings, the co-hosts of We’ve Got To Talk, Jolene Conway, from little Pleasantville, Iowa, who identifies as conservative, and Nicole Fonarow, from San Francisco, a self-professed liberal, became fast friends in their early days at the University of Iowa. Almost 40 years later, living in a world that often seems intent on drawing lines in the sand and forcing people to choose sides, they launched their podcast We’ve Got To Talk to inspire others to not shy away from tough conversations. Because in this deeply divided society, the power of conversation can unite us. Their goal isn’t to change each other’s opinions, but to listen with curiosity, kindness, and empathy. And yes, to have a good time while doing it!
We definitely had a good time recording this conversation, and in the days since, swapping emails and cocktail recommendations. I truly look forward to meeting these women in real life someday!
If you missed Nicole and Jolene’s recent conversation with Bob Inglis, you can find it here. (This is the conversation that inspired me to reciprocate and have them on our show!)
And coming up next week… well, actually, we are sparing your Tuesday-after-Labor-Day game of catch up attempts. We will skip next week and return to your ears on September 15 with Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions’ James Dozier and our chat about the 10th annual National Clean Energy Week.
Celebrating ten years of clean energy action
Speaking of James Dozier and CRES, we are so happy for our friends on an impressive tenth year of convening clean energy champions for a week of seminars, panels, and networking. Featuring a broad array of stakeholders from a bipartisan slate Members of Congress to energy industry experts in the private and public sector, their ability to consistently host meaningful, important conversations centered on clean energy is impressive. I hope that you will check out their policymaker’s symposium, which you can follow virtually.
When: September 14-18, 2026
Why: Because clean energy is a critical part of our energy future
Where: In DC or online!
Carbon Pricing Seminar Series
Have you always wanted to learn more about carbon pricing and how it works in the real world? Our friends at the Citizens Climate Lobby and Resources for the Future are here for you! Join them for a free, online series, Carbon Pricing: Following the Research to Lead the Politics, which started last night, but we’re sure you can play catch up for the next five installments, happening once a month at 8pm ET over Zoom.
The series will explore:
- The economics of carbon pricing
- Lessons learned from other countries
- Policy effectiveness and political durability
- Affordability and consumer impact
- Competitiveness and trade implications
I hope you take this opportunity to learn more from some super smart and approachable people!
Bob out and about in the world
Bob’s travel schedule has been incredibly busy this year as he moves from target state to target state. So it’s always nice when he can attend an event closer to home, like the Rotary Club meeting in Mauldin, South Carolina. Mauldin is the hometown of Ben Byrd, our Carolinas Outreach Liaison, who even got his mom to attend the event. We were happy to get her report out that the audience was engaged and that she enjoyed the presentation Bob made.
Have an event you want us to join? Don’t hesitate to reach out for both virtual and in-person opportunities.
Thank you, Livia!
I wanted to shout out to Livia Payne, our summer intern, for all her help and enthusiasm this summer. She and Wen Lee got one last lunch in before Livia headed east to Boston. We are happy that she plans to continue to do some work for us once back at Northeastern University.
You’re the best, Livia!
Weekend Vibes
For those who were cheering on my ice cream bravado of last week, I have to admit that let you all down and only went out for a scoop (okay, two) one time, but it was the cutest rural roadside stand where they made their own fresh products and it tasted especially delicious after a 5-mile hike of Tumbledown Mountain.
Here’s to a long weekend, the end of summer, and all your favorite ways to relax.