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Climate Goals

How much can urban land use policy do for the climate?
Urbanists like to say that dense, walkable urban land use is a powerful climate tool. But what kind of emissions can urban land use really reduce? What…
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David Roberts
17
55:31
The importance of upcoming EPA regulations on power plants
The Biden administration cannot reach its climate goals without strong executive action to supplement its legislative achievements. Among the most…
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David Roberts
4
1:00:09
How to think about solar radiation management
Global temperatures are likely to rise over the next 30 to 40 years no matter what we do. One way to mitigate those short-term risks is to seed the…
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David Roberts
8
1:06:40
Minnesota sets out for zero-carbon electricity by 2040
Democrats have wasted no time after winning a trifecta in Minnesota in 2022. Less than six weeks after taking control of government, they have passed a…
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David Roberts
3
1:00:27
On the abuse (and proper use) of climate models
I talk with researcher Erica Thompson about her new book, "Escape from Model Land: How Mathematical Models Can Lead Us Astray and What We Can Do About…
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David Roberts
14
1:28:11
An energy provider attempts to achieve 24/7 clean energy
Peninsula Clean Energy, a community choice aggregator (CCA) in California, is attempting to achieve 24/7 clean energy -- clean energy that matches…
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David Roberts
6
50:42
Reflecting on the work of the soon-to-retire House climate committee
A conversation with Rep. Kathy Castor, the chair of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, about the committee's accomplishments over the…
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David Roberts
4
53:11
The Inflation Reduction Act: everything in one place (with transcripts!)
Over the past couple months I've done five podcasts on the Inflation Reduction Act, the climate (among other things) bill that Democrats somewhat…
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David Roberts
4
Focusing on the climate actions that can make a real difference
Two veteran climate experts -- analyst Hal Harvey & journalist Justin Gillis -- have released a new book that seeks to home in on the climate policies…
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David Roberts
9
1:04:48
Volts podcast: Danny Cullenward on California's shaky climate plans
I sit down with an expert on California climate policy to dig into the state regulator's latest scoping plan, which contemplates how to meet the…
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David Roberts
2
1:16:08
Volts podcast: Paulina Jaramillo on the IPCC's new climate-solutions report
The latest from the IPCC is a deep dive into solutions: policies & technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I chat with one of the co-authors…
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David Roberts
5
Volts podcast: Erin Mayfield on the massive consequences of Build Back Better
The Build Back Better Act has drifted out of the headlines, but as some new modeling makes clear -- and I discuss with one of the lead modelers -- the…
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David Roberts
7
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