Citizens' Climate Lobby

Data to Defend the Inflation Reduction Act

CCL Research Coordinator Dana Nuccitelli examines the data volunteers can use to advocate for preserving the Inflation Reduction Act. This includes a discussion about the various provisions included in the IRA and the relative importance of each, the political climate in which those provisions find themselves, and a new database of IRA-funded clean energy projects and manufacturing facilities by Congressional District and State that CCL volunteers can use for lobbying and grasstops outreach efforts.

Hot Mess Part Seven: Climate Skepticism—A Global Comparison

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.

Key Topics Covered:

• The roots of climate skepticism in the United States and its global parallels.
• How countries like Germany and South Korea have avoided widespread denial while the U.S. and Australia continue to struggle.
• The transformative power of education and infrastructure, as seen in China’s rapid advancements.
• Faith and climate action in the U.S., with a focus on how the Catholic Church has responded to Laudato Si’.
• Conservative approaches to climate solutions and the role of young conservatives in shifting the conversation.

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.

Compelling Quotes:

1. “In China, climate education is part of the curriculum from an early age. It’s consistent and woven into what we learn about the world.” — Horace Mo
2. “The broader cultural divides in the U.S. affect how climate action is viewed even within faith communities.” — Jose Aguto
3. “Young conservatives see renewables as competitive, low-impact, and a way to outcompete China in the global market.” — Zach Torpie

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.

Lucero Marquez | January 2025 Monthly Meeting | Citizens Climate Lobby

Lucero Marquez is the associate director for federal climate policy at American Progress. She previously worked as a research consultant for the Evans School Policy Analysis and Research Group investigating development policy through a climate change lens and as an air dispersion modeler for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. She earned her Bachelor of Science in meteorology from Texas A&M University and her Master of Public Administration in environmental policy from the University of Washington. The Inflation Reduction Act's investment in manufacturing and clean energy jobs is starting to pay off, and millions of individuals are benefiting from tax credits to help transition to clean energy. Lucero and CCL Research Coordinator Dana Nuccitelli for a discuss the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act and why we need to keep its climate provisions intact in 2025.

Hot Mess Part Six: Snowballs, Skepticism, and Climate Lies

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.

 

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Guest Profiles

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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Compelling Quotes

1. 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."

2. 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."

3. Representative Bob Inglis:
   "Protecting the vulnerable is loving God and loving people. Surely, that’s what climate action is about."

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Groups, Resources, and Historical Moments Referenced

• Organizations:

  • RepublicEn
  • Green Tea Party Radio
  • Citizens Climate Lobby Action Page
  • Union of Concerned Scientists

• Historical Moments:

  • Senator James Inhofe’s snowball stunt (2015)
  • The Koch brothers’ influence from the Kyoto Protocol (1997) to the present

• Media:

  • C-SPAN for archival footage of Senator Inhofe’s snowball incident
  • Michelle Malkin’s Hot Air show for Inhofe’s comments on Al Gore and climate change

CCL Training: Hosting A Film Screening Resources

Join CCL staff for a training that will unveil the updated Film Screening Guide resource and walk through how CCL chapters have used screenings to attract their community for discussions on climate and clean energy solutions.

Skip ahead to the following section(s):

• (0:00) Intro & Agenda
• (3:23) Why Host A Screening and Resources
• (6:27) Setting Up The Venue & Social Actions
• (15:03) Introducing The Week
• (24:45) Introducing True False Hot Cold

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/film-screening-slides 

Film Screening Guides: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/307 

Hot Mess Part Five: The Emotional Web of Climate Skepticism

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.

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Guest Descriptions

1. Chelsea Henderson

   • Host of RepublicEn's Eco Right Speaks Podcast.
   • Author of Glacial: The Untold Story of Climate Politics.
   • Chelsea provides a deep dive into the role of conservative media in spreading climate skepticism and the political challenges surrounding cap-and-trade policies.

2. Katie Zakrzewski

   • Co-host of Green Tea Party Radio.
   • Katie discusses how fear-based environmental messaging and divisive protest strategies alienated potential allies, leading to unintended negative impacts.

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Links to Organizations Mentioned

1. RepublicEn: https://republicen.org

   • Home of Eco Right Speaks Podcast.

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

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

4. Citizens Climate Education: https://citizensclimateeducation.org

5. Inside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org

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

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Three Compelling Quotes

1. Chelsea Henderson:
   "Rush Limbaugh didn’t just challenge climate science; he weaponized it to dismantle bipartisan efforts, turning climate action into a partisan battleground."

2. Katie Zakreski:
   "Fear-based environmental messaging created not action but paralysis—fueling despair rather than empowering solutions."

3. Peterson Toscano:
   "By exploiting our emotional vulnerabilities, the fossil fuel industry delayed action and protected profits at the expense of the planet."

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.

Fall 2024 Conference | Citizens' Climate Lobby | Dr Danny Richter Carbon Pricing Opportunities in the 119th

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.

Fall 2024 Conference | Citizens' Climate Lobby | The Continuing Case for Permitting 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.

Fall 2024 Conference | Citizens' Climate Lobby | Lowdown on our Legislative Landscape

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.

Fall 2024 Conference | Citizens' Climate Lobby | Rachel Kerestes - A Look Ahead

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