Boiling Point: Taking Stock at 101 Days

Host: Sammy Roth
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Podcast: Boiling Point by L.A. Times Studios

Introduction

In the episode titled "Taking Stock at 101 Days," Sammy Roth, the climate columnist for the Los Angeles Times, reflects on the first 101 days of President Trump's administration and its profound impact on climate policies in California and the broader Western United States. Roth introduces listeners to a panel of experts he engaged with at the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) annual conference in Tempe, Arizona. This panel comprised Emily Fisher, a climate scientist; Senator Lena Gonzalez of California; Ann Hedges from the Montana Environmental Information Center; and Neda Wolf Culver, a former principal deputy director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Panel Discussion Overview

The panel delved into the urgent question: What actionable steps can individuals, nonprofits, and state and local governments take to combat climate change in the face of a federal government actively promoting fossil fuels? The conversation spanned various aspects, including policy-making, legal actions, renewable energy development, and environmental justice.

State and Local Policy Responses

Senator Lena Gonzalez provided insights into California's strategic maneuvers to counteract federal rollbacks on environmental protections.

"We've taken preemptive actions, including allocating $50 million to the Attorney General's office to combat hostile federal initiatives." (04:44)

She detailed California's legislative efforts, such as the Polluter Pays bill, aimed at holding fossil fuel companies accountable for climate damages. Despite fierce opposition and substantial lobbying from the fossil fuel industry, the bill made progress through committees and is now navigating state budget negotiations.

"Protecting our progress in California requires multi-state alignment on energy and clean vehicles." (24:48)

Emily Fisher discussed the role of grassroots organizations like Science Moms, which aims to humanize climate science and make it more relatable to the public.

"Science Moms works to demystify climate science and connect it to people's everyday lives." (07:40)

Fisher emphasized the importance of linking natural disasters to climate change in media coverage to enhance public understanding and urgency.

"After a natural disaster, information on climate change is twice as likely to be received without a backlash." (10:11)

Renewable Energy and Federal Opposition

Neda Wolf Culver addressed the Trump administration's stance on renewable energy, highlighting attempts to undermine projects through regulatory hurdles and permit delays.

"Permitting continues, and renewable energy projects are moving forward despite rhetoric to the contrary." (14:03)

She underscored the resilience of the renewable energy sector, noting ongoing developments in wind and solar projects across Western states. However, she acknowledged that federal hostility could introduce delays and economic challenges for renewable initiatives.

"There will be an impact, including attempts to revive coal, but renewables are the future." (18:46)

Ann Hedges provided context on the coal industry's struggles, particularly in Montana, where policy shifts favor clean energy despite industry pushback.

"Clean energy companies in Montana have successfully lobbied against polluting legislation, ensuring the state's participation in a competitive energy marketplace." (15:13)

Environmental Justice and Climate Legislation

Senator Gonzalez highlighted the intersection of environmental justice and climate action, emphasizing the need to prioritize communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.

"Environmental justice bills speak directly to my district, where Latino communities live in close proximity to oil wells." (25:26)

She discussed strategies to amplify the voices of environmental justice advocates within broader climate initiatives, ensuring that legislation like the Polluter Pays bill addresses both climate and community health concerns.

"Sometimes the larger climate groups need to step back and let environmental justice advocates lead the charge." (27:06)

Legal Actions and Fossil Fuel Accountability

The panel examined the role of litigation in advancing climate goals, referencing the successful Held v. State of Montana youth climate lawsuit.

"The youth climate lawsuit was a significant morale boost, based on Montana's constitutional right to a clean environment." (28:07)

Senator Gonzalez discussed ongoing efforts to challenge federal rollbacks through state courts, reinforcing California's commitment to environmental protections despite legislative and judicial obstacles.

"As long as we have to return to court to reestablish our constitutional rights, we will continue the fight." (28:07)

Collaborative Opportunities and Future Outlook

Neda Wolf Culver suggested avenues for state and local governments to collaborate with the federal administration without overtly framing actions as climate initiatives.

"Transmission projects present opportunities for collaboration without explicitly citing climate change." (31:10)

She pointed to specific federal interests, such as geothermal energy and conservation efforts, as potential areas for synergy with state-led renewable projects.

"Focusing on renewable energy and resilience can facilitate partnerships even under a hostile federal stance." (33:16)

Advice for Journalists

Emily Fisher offered crucial advice for journalists covering climate issues, emphasizing the human element and the importance of illustrating the tangible impacts of climate change.

"Focus on the human impact and follow the patterns of natural disasters to convey the urgency of climate action." (33:45)

Conclusion

The episode concluded with Sammy Roth summarizing the current status of the Polluter Pays bill in California, which had advanced through committees but faced recent delays. The panel remains optimistic about the bill's prospects, with hopes that integrating it into state budget negotiations will reignite momentum.

"The Polluter Pays bill has made it through key committees, and we are working to bring it forward during the state budget negotiations." (34:17)

Key Takeaways

• State Leadership: In the absence of supportive federal policies, state and local governments are pivotal in driving climate action through legislation and strategic investments.

• Renewable Resilience: Despite federal opposition, renewable energy projects continue to progress, underscoring the sector's resilience and long-term viability.

• Environmental Justice Integration: Effective climate policies must intertwine with environmental justice to address the needs of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate impacts.

• Strategic Communication: Journalists play a critical role in framing climate change narratives by highlighting human stories and establishing clear connections between natural disasters and climate trends.

• Legal Strategies: Litigation remains a powerful tool for enforcing environmental protections and holding fossil fuel companies accountable for climate damages.

This comprehensive discussion in "Taking Stock at 101 Days" underscores the multifaceted approach required to combat climate change, emphasizing state-level initiatives, renewable energy development, environmental justice, and strategic communication as key components of successful climate action in a politically challenging environment.