Nightly Scroll with Hayley - Episode 64: Former Climate Activist Wakes Up To The SCAM!

Host: Hayley Caronia
Guest: Lucy Biggers
Release Date: June 6, 2025

1. Introduction of the Guest

In Episode 64 of Nightly Scroll with Hayley, Hayley Caronia welcomes Lucy Biggers, a former climate activist and reporter who once covered significant figures like Greta Thunberg and the Green New Deal. Lucy shares her journey from being deeply entrenched in the climate movement to becoming a vocal critic, labeling the movement as a "scam."

Notable Quote:
Hayley Caronia [00:00]:
"Tonight on Nightly Scroll, my guest... Lucy Biggers. You used to be a climate activist and reporter... how did you first get into the climate movement?"

2. Entry into the Climate Movement

Lucy Biggers provides an overview of her career, highlighting her seven years with a digital news company where she focused on climate and sustainability. Initially driven by a genuine belief in the movement's goals, Lucy admits her reporting was biased, always favoring the movement without critically examining all perspectives.

Notable Quote:
Lucy Biggers [01:42]:
"I went into my coverage very biased from the start because I thought... this movement was so good. It was on the right side of history and I wanted to do good."

3. Evolution of Views on Climate Activism

Hayley and Lucy delve into the inherent privilege within the climate movement. Lucy emphasizes that those most active in the movement often come from privileged backgrounds—college-educated, financially stable, and with the luxury to focus on long-term environmental issues.

Notable Quote:
Lucy Biggers [03:49]:
"It's the person who is college educated, grew up not really wanting for something... has the time to worry about the climate and the environment."

4. The Psychology of Alarmism

The conversation shifts to the pervasive alarmism within the climate movement. Lucy argues that the constant portrayal of impending doom taps into fundamental human fears and black-and-white thinking, particularly among younger generations whose critical thinking skills are still developing.

Notable Quote:
Lucy Biggers [06:22]:
"I think it's always a new crisis... the climate movement is sort of the one of our generation's climate alarmism."

5. Hypocrisy and Virtue Signaling

Hayley and Lucy discuss instances of hypocrisy within climate activism, such as large-scale protests leaving behind significant waste or prominent activists engaging in environmentally harmful behaviors like frequent flying. They criticize the movement for prioritizing visibility and image over genuine environmental impact.

Notable Quote:
Hayley Caronia [19:19]:
"They got their cardboard."

Lucy Biggers [19:47]:
"Virtue signaling is such a great way to think about this movement in so many ways."

6. Real-World Implications and Policy Critique

Drawing from examples in Europe, Lucy illustrates the potential negative consequences of stringent climate policies. She cites Germany's shutdown of nuclear plants leading to increased fossil fuel imports and Spain's energy grid failures due to overreliance on unstable energy sources like solar and wind.

Notable Quote:
Lucy Biggers [22:07]:
"Spain just had a big rolling blackout because they have so much solar and wind... it's a domino effect and they didn't have power for a few days."

7. Views on Prominent Figures: Greta Thunberg and AOC

The discussion turns to influential climate activists like Greta Thunberg and politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Lucy expresses skepticism about their genuineness, suggesting that their actions often contradict their preached values and that their motives may be more about advancing a specific anti-Western ideology than genuine environmental concern.

Notable Quote:
Lucy Biggers [29:59]:
"I think that she [Greta] is genuine and that she thinks the Western world is evil."

Hayley Caronia [32:36]:
"This is indicative of how a lot of younger people feel about America as a whole. They're not proud to be American."

8. Critique of Veganism as an Environmental Solution

Hayley and Lucy critique the promotion of veganism within the climate movement, arguing that alternatives like lab-grown meats and plant-based diets may not be as environmentally friendly as presented. They point out the extensive resources required for such products and advocate for sustainable animal farming practices instead.

Notable Quote:
Lucy Biggers [33:09]:
"Veganism was one of the first sacred cows not to be wrong. It doesn't make sense... genetically modified GMO corn and soys."

9. Advocacy for Alternative Energy Sources

pLucy emphasizes the potential of nuclear energy as a reliable and low-carbon alternative to solar and wind. She believes that with deregulation, nuclear power could play a significant role in achieving energy sustainability without the inconsistencies and environmental issues associated with renewable sources.

Notable Quote:
Lucy Biggers [37:53]:
"I think nuclear... there's a lot of regulations right now on nuclear and if those regulations could be removed, we could proliferate more nuclear and have low carbon energy that's reliable."

10. Conclusion: A Pro-Human, Balanced Approach

In closing, Lucy advocates for a balanced approach that prioritizes human prosperity and innovation over restrictive environmental policies. She encourages embracing abundant energy sources and technological advancements to foster a thriving global community without succumbing to fear-driven activism.

Notable Quote:
Lucy Biggers [37:53]:
"I want people to feel that they can have prosperous lives and achieve the American dream... cheap, abundant energy in whatever form it comes in."

Final Thoughts

Hayley Caronia commends Lucy Biggers for her courage in reassessing and publicly challenging the climate movement's narratives. The episode underscores the importance of critical thinking, authenticity, and balanced approaches in addressing environmental issues without compromising human progress and well-being.

Notable Quote:
Hayley Caronia [39:12]:
"Thank you so much, Lucy... I really respect you because... you have to be such a free thinker and open to new ideas to challenge yourself as you have done."

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the transcript provided and reflects the discussions and viewpoints expressed by the host and guest during the podcast episode.