We are less than two weeks out from Thanksgiving! Do you have a menu planned? What’s your pie plan? Who is sitting at your table? Or whose table are you gracing? Are you ready to talk about climate change?
Speaking of climate change (and turkey), most of the major countries of the world (not the U.S.) are currently in Turkiye, where there is agreement on a voluntary “35 by 35” pledge, which aims to raise electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035. Given the economic benefits, it seems we would want in on that…
This is week’s must read: Republicans don’t have to agree about climate change to solve it (Bulletin of Atomic Scientists)
Our EcoRight friend Laur Hesse Fisher penned this piece (if you want a pdf let me know) about partisanship, bias, and her “solution first” strategy to help us bridge the gaps and take advantage of common interests.
“Decarbonizing the economy requires the growth of a whole suite of clean energy technologies, including geothermal, nuclear, wind, solar, batteries, and electric vehicles, along with land and water solutions such as agricultural innovation, land preservation, and wetland protection,” Laur writes. “There are Americans across the political spectrum whose interests already overlap with these solutions. When you look at support for those solutions individually, rather than for ‘climate action,’ new kinds of unlikely bedfellows appear.”
What now?
There was an election last week. (Maybe you heard.) And the voters have spoken. They want change. And they don’t want data centers…
Here to share break down what the election results mean for climate and clean energy, our friend Alex Flint of the Alliance for Market Solutions. He’s certainly no stranger to this show, but in case you’re new to the EcoRight Speaks, Alex has a long history working on energy policy, including a 15-year tenure as a Congressional staffer, including as staff director on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
You’ll have to listen if you want Alex’s insight on what’s to come!
Coming up next week… speaking of elections, there was a ballot initiative in Florida that will have dramatic impacts on wastewater treatment in the Sunshine State. Breaking all this down for us will be Dr. Brandon Shuler (yes, making a repeat appearance) of the American Water Security Project. There are climate impacts, water impacts, budget impacts of the passage of Amendment 3 with potentially significant consequences.
Climate (reporting) is local, not just global
Check out the latest research from our partners at Mason 4C, Local New and Climate Views, which unveiled some interesting findings on climate change as reported by local news.
The key takeaway: Most Americans rarely hear about climate change from their local news. Yet… two-thirds of Americans are interested in local climate news. And… local journalists are a trusted news source! Local journalists and the presiders of the assignments desks nationwide, do you understand the assignment?
Last call to register!
A free movie you can watch on your own time, with your favorite movie snack (pass the popcorn please) and then, on November 19th, discuss with your favorite EcoRighters AND the flimmaker? Yes, please! I will be there and you should be too!
Register here. After you register, you will get a link to pre-watch the film! Then tune in on November 19th at 1:30ET for the [conserv]ative conversation.
That’s it for me. I am hoping you have as fun of a weekend as I have planned!