 Coronavirus brought the 2020 election to a screeching halt. Climate was once a top issue in the Democratic primary, but it’s been overtaken by a virus and a looming economic apocalypse.  Primaries are delayed. Traditional campaigning has stopped. Biden is hiding out, preparing for the general election. Bernie Sanders is hanging on. And the way we think about all kinds of issues has totally flipped. So how will climate, cleantech and the environment fit into this new political world? We’ll look at the state of the race, the political response to the coronavirus shock, and how climate may fit into the November election.

Climate 2020

What Next for the Election?

 As the economy shuts down, people around the world have noticed an unexpected result: Cleaner air.   And good thing, too. It turns out that pollution and climate change make us sicker -- and potentially more vulnerable to outbreaks like coronavirus.    In this episode, we talk to Dr. Aaron “Ari” Bernstein about the links between climate change, health and the COVID-19 pandemic.   Then we turn to how the US government has been exacerbating these problems by supporting fossil fuels.   And finally, the American public turns to scientists and experts to fight the coronavirus. But the Trump administration continues its efforts to push science out of government, even in the middle of a pandemic.   

Fossil Fuels Make Us Sick

A wild news cycle has our hosts bantering about the primary results, the presidential debate and of course -- the COVID19 pandemic.  Then, a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental writer Elizabeth Kolbert. The climate crisis is already here, but there's still time to steer the planet away from its worst consequences. 

Stress Testing The Political System

 The pandemic arrived, and the Trump White House was unprepared.   In this episode, we talk with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Laurie Garrett about the botched U.S. response to coronavirus. We’ll unpack the climate-public health connection when it comes to preparing for disasters.   Plus, TIME’s energy and environment reporter Justin Worland discusses how the pandemic may reshape international climate talks.

How Coronavirus Exposes Our Policy Failures

Michigan and five other states doled out delegates during Tuesday's democratic primary vote. With Biden taking the lion's share, Sanders has officially become the longshot candidate. For more on how a Sanders administration would execute his revolutionary agenda for the planet -- and how Biden could rise to the occasion on climate -- we spoke with UC Policy Professor Leah Stokes. Riley Beggin contributed reporting from the ground in Michigan.

Bernie Versus Biden

A whopping 228 delegates were up for grabs in the Texas primary. Joe Biden ran away with the most, helping him surge to the top of what is now effectively a two-man race between Biden and Bernie Sanders. What does his win say about how voters in purple states like Texas may respond to climate issues? Two reporters give us a window into the state’s complicated politics: Brendan Gibbons, a Senior Reporter with The Rivard Report, talks about a local fight around San Antonio’s climate plan. Then, Abby Livingston — Washington Bureau Chief for the Texas Tribune — gives her analysis on how the progressive climate agenda may impact down-ballot races in the general.

Biden Wins Texas: What Does It Mean?

Sociologist Arlie Hochschild understands the roots of America’s political divide better than most. Her book “Strangers In Their Own Land: Anger And Mourning On The American Right,” takes a trip to rural Louisiana during the Obama years, where she interviews dozens of Tea Party conservatives. Many of her subjects would go on to support Donald Trump, and could vote that way again. This is an extended rerun of an interview between Arlie Hochschild and Host David Gelber.

Before They Voted Trump

Sanders is surging. With Iowa and New Hampshire in the bag, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has emerged as the clear front-runner in the democratic primary. Reporter Rebecca Leber breaks down his climate plan. Then, Professor Thea Riofrancos explains why the progressive left is rallying behind him as their climate candidate. We also unpack the controversial elements of Bernie’s plan. Later in the show: while Bernie builds a grassroots movement, two billionaires take a radically different approach to climate action.

The Case For Bernie

Leading Republicans have long rejected calls for action on climate change. Now, they appear to be changing course. They're pushing new proposals, including a plan to store carbon in trees. What's driving this shift? Is there substance behind these new plans? For that, we spoke with veteran energy and environment reporter Amy Harder of Axios. Then, New Hampshire Public Radio’s Annie Ropeik on which issues inspired voters to head to the polls in her state, and how much climate factored into their choices.

Is The GOP Changing Its Tune?

 YouTube is an influential force in politics. It’s also rife with disinformation and conspiracy theories. A new report shows that YouTube’s algorithm is actively recommending fringe climate denial videos. What will it take to solve the problem? Producer Jaime Kaiser falls down the YouTube rabbit hole. Then, Vox writer David Roberts discusses the underlying social and psychological forces that may prevent YouTube from taking action. Later, we speak with reporter Chris Walljasper about how voters are wrestling with the climate issue at the Iowa Caucus. 

YouTube's Junk Science Problem

A new survey shows that Americans are increasingly worried about climate change. We talk with Tony Leiserowitz -- Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication -- about how this trend has big implications for the kinds of candidates and policies voters are likely to support. And we learn about the six types of climate voters and how campaigns need to think differently about messaging to each of them. Then, we break down the headlines, including a GOP plan around climate messaging, new rules for New Jersey builders, and the power of young stars to influence change.

The Stunning Rise Of The Climate Voter

Asset management company BlackRock has over $7 trillion in assets, making it a powerful, behind-the-scenes force in finance. A new letter from the company’s CEO has huge implications for how asset managers consider the long-term financial risks of a changing climate. Afterward, our hosts break down the headlines, including the New York Times editorial board endorsements for president and Microsoft’s carbon-negative goal.

Why BlackRock's Climate Shift Is A Big Deal

Some American voters still don’t trust the science of climate change. Climate Scientist Naomi Oreskes explains why that might be. Then the headlines, which include an announcement that could dramatically shape the future of fossil fuel finance.

Why Trust Science?

 Activists have their sights set on big banks as a key lever of power in the climate fight. Environmentalist Bill McKibben explains how a new generation can say no to fossil fuel financing. Then, Hosts Jeff and David tell us what American politicians can learn from the severe bushfires in Australia.

Cutting The Card

An extended cut of Host David Gelber’s conversation with MSNBC Anchor Chris Hayes.

Chris Hayes [Extended Cut]

A podcast that makes the climate crisis the top issue of the 2020 presidential election. This podcast is hosted by Years Of Living Dangerously award-winning documentary producer David Gelber and ClimateNexus Founding Director Jeff Nesbit. Climate 2020 was co-created by The Planet Project, Inc., and BOOM, a division of John Marshall Media. It is produced in association with The Years Project, a 501(c)3 climate change communications nonprofit based in New York City.

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Climate 2020

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