Pod Save the World: Election 2024 – The Stark Choice on Climate Change?

Release Date: November 2, 2024

In the pivotal episode titled "Election 2024: The Stark Choice on Climate Change?" from Crooked Media's "Pod Save the World," host Ben Rhodes delves deep into the critical intersection of the upcoming U.S. presidential election and the global climate crisis. This episode underscores why climate change should be the foremost issue influencing voters' decisions, contrasting the candidates' approaches and highlighting the broader implications for both the nation and the world.

1. Climate Change: An Existential Threat

Ben Rhodes opens the discussion by asserting the paramount importance of climate change in the current election cycle. He emphasizes that while often perceived as a distant or secondary issue, climate change is already manifesting through extreme weather events, mass migrations, and unprecedented global temperatures.

Ben Rhodes [00:56]: "There's no wishing this away. Climate change is already here."

2. Contrasting Candidates: Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump

The episode provides a stark comparison between the two leading candidates' stances on climate policy:

• Donald Trump: Known for his climate skepticism, Trump has historically dismissed climate change as a "hoax," withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, and rolled back over 125 environmental safeguards. His administration's pro-fossil fuel stance poses significant setbacks for global climate initiatives.

  Ben Rhodes [04:32]: "Obama's talking about global warming and that a lot of it's a hoax. It's a hoax. I mean, it's a money-making industry, okay? It's a hoax."

• Kamala Harris: With a solid track record, Harris has actively championed clean energy and pollution control. Her legislative efforts, both in California and as a senator, reflect a commitment to mitigating climate change through robust policies.

  Brian Deese [26:10]: "She really is about protecting people from polluters."

3. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): A Landmark in Climate Policy

Brian Deese, former Director of the White House National Economic Council under President Biden, elaborates on the IRA's transformative impact. This legislation marks the largest investment in clean energy in history, channeling up to $300 billion into tax incentives and clean technologies like wind, solar, geothermal, and advanced nuclear energy.

Brian Deese [08:32]: "In the last two years, we've seen almost $500 billion of private investment in clean technologies."

The IRA not only propels U.S. emissions reductions by approximately 40% but also positions America as a global leader in the clean energy transition.

4. Global Leadership and the Clean Energy Marshall Plan

Rhodes and Deese discuss the necessity for the U.S. to spearhead a global clean energy initiative, akin to the post-World War II Marshall Plan. This strategy involves substantial investment to aid developing nations in scaling clean energy solutions without fostering competitive tensions.

Ben Rhodes [16:48]: "This is a great blueprint for what a Harris administration could do."

Deese underscores the importance of international cooperation, noting that the U.S. must balance its economic interests with global climate objectives to drive collective action.

5. The Plight of Small Island Developing Nations

Ronna Haynes, a climate law and government specialist, provides poignant insights into how small island nations bear the brunt of climate impacts disproportionate to their minimal carbon footprints. These nations face existential threats from sea-level rise, extreme weather, and dwindling natural resources.

Ronna Haynes [45:31]: "Every decision that is taken in the next five years, six years, will make a real difference."

Haynes advocates for grant-based financing rather than loans to support these vulnerable regions, emphasizing the moral and practical imperatives for wealthy nations to assist.

6. Public Opinion: A Mandate for Action

Supporting the need for decisive climate action, public opinion data reveals overwhelming support for renewable energy prioritization and U.S. leadership in global climate efforts.

Ben Rhodes [60:57]: "Two thirds said they support America having a role in global efforts to address climate change."

Deese highlights that despite fossil fuel industry influence, the American populace overwhelmingly favors robust climate policies, dispelling narratives of widespread climate skepticism.

7. The Consequences of Inaction

Ben Rhodes drives home the urgency of the election, warning that electing Trump could derail decades of climate progress, leading to irreversible environmental and economic damages.

Ben Rhodes [39:25]: "This is the issue that does more to determine the kind of future we have than anything else."

He appeals to voters' sense of responsibility toward future generations, emphasizing that climate policy is intertwined with economic stability and national security.

Conclusion: Voting for the Future

The episode culminates with a compelling call to action: prioritize climate change when casting ballots. Rhodes argues that the outcome of this election will significantly influence the trajectory of global climate initiatives and the planet's health.

Ben Rhodes [60:39]: "This is the number one issue of our lives and of our time."

By electing leaders committed to comprehensive climate policies, the U.S. can lead the world in combating one of the most pressing challenges of our era.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Rhodes [00:56]: "There's no wishing this away. Climate change is already here."
• Ben Rhodes [04:32]: "Obama's talking about global warming and that a lot of it's a hoax. It's a hoax. I mean, it's a money-making industry, okay? It's a hoax."
• Brian Deese [08:32]: "In the last two years, we've seen almost $500 billion of private investment in clean technologies."
• Ronna Haynes [45:31]: "Every decision that is taken in the next five years, six years, will make a real difference."
• Ben Rhodes [60:57]: "Two thirds said they support America having a role in global efforts to address climate change."

This comprehensive analysis underscores the imperative for voters to recognize climate change as a central issue in the 2024 election, with profound implications for both national prosperity and global sustainability.