Unsung Climate Victories
In this episode, Ralph and Luc take a respite from the US' current denialist frenzy and step back to celebrate recent global victories in the fight to preserve our environment.
Since the climate does not follow national borders, we spotlight some news from around the world that gives us hope: the popular clamor for governments to tackle climate change, the newly favourable economics of renewable energy, alongside initiatives by cities, states and nations to foster a more livable planet.
You can also watch this episode on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07a5_iLo83M
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
1:46 How the Republican party lost their minds on climate and might kill us all
3:53 Good news: Environmentalism is Popular!
6:54 Local initiatives in CA, FL
7:43 Cities are becoming greener and more walkable
10:45 Climate reparations: Vanuatu's win at the ICJ
12:12 Solar energy is much cheaper than a decade ago
16:18 Wind power provides jobs in "red" states
17:38 Worldwide adoption of renewables
19:50 2024's big picture gains for renewable power
21:08 Research & Development: harnessing innovation
22:26 Staying hopeful: Why Ralph doesn't like "optimism"
Sources:
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report “Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2023”, September 2024.
• Washington Post, “Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.” by Naema Ahmed and Chico Harlan, April 2025.
Since the climate does not follow national borders, we spotlight some news from around the world that gives us hope: the popular clamor for governments to tackle climate change, the newly favourable economics of renewable energy, alongside initiatives by cities, states and nations to foster a more livable planet.
You can also watch this episode on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07a5_iLo83M
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
1:46 How the Republican party lost their minds on climate and might kill us all
3:53 Good news: Environmentalism is Popular!
6:54 Local initiatives in CA, FL
7:43 Cities are becoming greener and more walkable
10:45 Climate reparations: Vanuatu's win at the ICJ
12:12 Solar energy is much cheaper than a decade ago
16:18 Wind power provides jobs in "red" states
17:38 Worldwide adoption of renewables
19:50 2024's big picture gains for renewable power
21:08 Research & Development: harnessing innovation
22:26 Staying hopeful: Why Ralph doesn't like "optimism"
Sources:
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report “Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2023”, September 2024.
• Washington Post, “Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.” by Naema Ahmed and Chico Harlan, April 2025.
• The New Yorker, “4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment” by Bill McKibbon, July 2025.
• Atlas US National Poll by AtlasIntel, July 2025.
• Princeton University ZERO Lab “Impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill On The US Energy Transition” by Jesse Jenkins, Jamil Farbes and Ben Haley, July 2025.
• The New York Times, “How China Went From Clean Energy Copycat to Global Innovator” by Max Bearak and Mira Rojanasakul, August 2025.
We also refer back to our prior episodes 4 (Gaslighting: Big Oil Knew) and 5 (Talking Climate With Conservatives).
