Politics

President-Elect Trump vs. California: What Lies Ahead?

Credit: Freepik

Will It Be Environmental Law & Policy Deja Vu All Over Again? Or Even Worse?

Californians who care about the environment likely–and justifiably–feel whipsawed this week.  Former President Trump (#45) has re-emerged as President-elect Trump (#47), interrupted by the intervening four years of the Biden-Harris presidential administration.  (Actually, this presidential whipsaw has been going on for decades: think Bush Sr.-Clinton-Bush Jr.-Obama-Trump-Biden-Trump redux.) In general, California’s progressive environmental laws and policies …

CONTINUE READING

The Dangerous Hypocrisy of Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to slash government and regulations for a Trump administration—even though California regulations helped build his companies.

Our chances of helping avoid the most catastrophic climate disruptions just dimmed dramatically. Donald Trump’s victory and self-declared mandate means a lot of things—among them, that crucial climate and environmental policies are threatened like never before. There will be plenty to say in coming days about what this means for America’s role in the world …

CONTINUE READING

Small, Medium, and Large Things to Do Today

Three ideas for simple, personal, and tangible ways to react to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

Many folks this morning are feeling anticipatory grief over what’s to come in the second Trump administration. This is perhaps especially true for those of us who work on solutions to climate change, an issue that doesn’t have four years to burn away.  I’m not yet at the stage of crafting particularly strategic plans in …

CONTINUE READING

The Morning After

Given Trump’s victory, what can be done to save the planet?

wice before in this century, enemies of environmental protection have taken the helm.  After taking office, Bush embraced fossil fuels, opposed climate action, and weakened environmental regulations. Trump’s first term made Bush seem like a tree hugger, and his second term may be even worse.  The strategies we’ve used in the past are still applicable, though circumstances have changed. 

CONTINUE READING

Trump Can’t Stop the Clean Energy Transformation

The global transformation to an economy fueled by clean energy can’t be stopped. Trump could slow down U.S. progress though. 

Here’s an uncontroversial proposition: if Donald Trump wins the election (a horrific thought), we will make less progress in attacking climate change than if Kamala Harris wins.  His most recent remarks on climate were appalling: “They say global warming, they used to call it global warming but now they call it climate change. You know …

CONTINUE READING

Carrots Are More Durable Than Sticks

Laws like the Inflation Reduction Act may have more sticking power than regulations.

it’s hard to repeal subsidies and tax credits.  We’re seeing that right now in Congress.  There’s been a lot of talk by Trump and others of blowing away the IRA.  But many billions of dollars of IRA investments are being made in Republican congressional districts.  And this has had an effect. Subsidies won’t solve the climate crisis on their own, but they provide a solid economic and political foundation for climate policies of all kinds.

CONTINUE READING

No More ‘House of Horrors’ Thanks to These New Laws

Several California laws prohibiting dangerous chemicals from household products go into effect on or after January 1, 2025.

Halloween is the one time when we welcome ghouls, ghosts, and goblins coming to our homes (and, if your neighborhood is anything like mine, a variety of tiny superheroes). This season, however, the Legislature is dealing with a different kind of house of horrors: dangerous chemicals in everyday products that affect millions of Californians’ health. …

CONTINUE READING

With a Week to Go, Where Do the Elections Stand?

The Presidential, Senate & House elections will have immense repercussions in terms of energy and environment.

This elections seemunusually weighty in its policy implications.  In terms of energy and climate policy, the two parties parties are far apart — Republicans favor energy dominance through massive fossil fuel production, Demorats favor clean energy. To the immense frustration of people on both sides, things haven’t moved much since September, when I last wrote …

CONTINUE READING

The 2024 Election Outcome Could Boost the Case for Geoengineering

Reflecting Sunlight: Recommendations for Solar Geoengineering Research and Research Governance (2021) cover

A Trump victory would increase the odds that we will ultimately need to start blocking solar radiation as a last resort to limit climate change.

A Trump victory would increase the odds that we will eventually need to “break the glass and pull the red lever.”  To be prepared for that possibility, we would also need to do more in the short term to research various forms of geoengineering, their feasibility, and their potential side effects.  Basically, if you decide you’re going to start smoking a lot more cigarettes, you need to be prepared for the greater likelihood you’ll need chemo.

CONTINUE READING

The Dangerous Embrace of Convenient Narratives Over Inconvenient Truths

As it turns out, Nature doesn’t care what stories you post on social media or spin on TV.

When lying becomes seen as legitimate political discourse, we’re in deep trouble. It’s short step from blaming people for imaginary crimes to rounding them up and or using force to stop them. That’s why climate scientists get death threats. And yet, whatever threats are made or carried out, reality will remain what it is. You can denounce climate change as a Chinese hoax, but that won’t stop the warming waters of the Gulf from sending incredible storms your way.

CONTINUE READING

Join Our Mailing List

Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.

TRENDING