S12 Ep8: Coalescing local communities toward action can make a difference

Led by Dr. Rev. Jessica Moerman, The Evangelical Environmental Network has been connecting with communities on the topic of data centers. EEN is working to ensure that the build-out of these energy and water-thirsty structures are done in a way that is thoughtful of the electricity costs on neighbors and takes into consideration the climate change impacts from the associated increase in emissions from these centers. She is also recently featured in the film The [Conserv]atives, which premiered at the DC Environmental Film Festival on March 23.

Niskanen Center's Liza Reed on whether she thinks a carbon border adjustment mechanism is a real possibility to address climate change.

After several listener requests to feature someone from the Niskanen Center on the podcast, we are excited to have Liza Reed join us this week! She walks us through Niskanen's climate and energy priorities, including designing an efficient and effective carbon border adjustment mechanism in the U.S., updating our electricity transmission so that the lights do indeed turn on when you need them. She also touches on how technology can and will provide for resiliency and reliability, while also being lower carbon than the energy sources of the past.

Alliance for Market Solutions' Alex Flint discusses the durability of a carbon tax and the opportunity to tie one to Social Security.

In the first of a series we are calling “What Next,” we explore where there is potential action on climate change. Our friend Alex Flint from the Alliance for Market Solutions gives the bad news— we have very little time to save Social Security. But he also has some good news — a carbon tax can be part of that solution."Resolving the coming Social Security crisis will require confronting a taboo that has shaped American politics for decades: new federal revenue. Lawmakers will debate raising the retirement age, cutting benefits, increasing the payroll tax rate, eliminating the cap on taxable wages and other possible remedies. Every option will be fiercely contested, politically treacherous and deeply unpopular. Millions of Americans will pay more, receive less or both," Alex writes. "In that context, a carbon tax — dismissed as politically impossible since the 1990s — may represent something different: not an ideal solution, but a viable contributor." To check out the work on the Alliance for Market Solutions, visit their website. You can find the full text of Alex’s recent op-ed on this topic in The Invading Sea.

Author Sam Lovall shares the inspiration for his book "Mud Lake."

"Mud Lake" is a collection of short adventure stories about children living in Haslett, Michigan, during the 1960s and 70s, when kids were allowed to freely explore the natural world without adult instruction or supervision. These stories by author Sam Lovall underscore the importance of natural areas as places for young people to experience mental and physical challenges in authentic settings with real plants, wildlife, and people. Listen to Sam describe the importance of kids experiencing the outdoors with podcast host Chelsea Henderson! 

4C Director Dr. John Kotcher said leaders need to find new ways to talk about climate change.

GMU's Dr. John Kotcher explains that less media coverage and stories regarding climate change is reducing public awareness.

GMU's Director for the Center for Climate Change Communication (4C) Dr. John Kotcher said their polling data consistently shows Americans across the political spectrum acknowledge climate change is happening and support action.