Citizens' Climate Lobby

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."

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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.

Fall 2024 Conference | Citizens' Climate Lobby | Flannery Winchester - CCL Roadmap

Throughout the year, CCL’s policy roadmap has steered us on our journey to influence America’s climate policy. CCL’s Vice President of Communications, Flannery Winchester, reviews our advancements this year and what’s on the road ahead as we travel into 2025.

Fall 2024 Conference | Citizens' Climate Lobby | Senator-elect John Curtis (R-UT)

Senator-elect John Curtis (R-UT) shares his story to becoming a climate champion and his appreciation for the work and methods of Citizens' Climate Lobby.

Fall 2024 Conference | Citizens' Climate Lobby | Rachel Kerestes Opening Remarks

CCL's Executive Director Rachel Kerestes sets the tone for a weekend of inspiration and transformational advocacy. Rachel reflects on our progress this year, outlines our path forward as a new Congress commences, and lays out our priorities and focus heading into 2025. Be sure to join us as Rachel reinforces CCL’s commitment to bipartisanship during polarized times and why this approach not only makes us uniquely effective but remains crucial to the incredible work our volunteers do.