Democrats came together last week to present a united front on tackling climate change, but will it matter before 2020?

Political Climate speaks with Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) on the passage of HR 9, the first meaningful climate change bill to pass the House of Representatives in nearly a decade. We find out why passing a bill to keep the U.S. in the Paris climate agreement was an important political move, despite zero chance of getting it past the self-proclaimed “Grim Reaper” Mitch McConnell.

In this episode we also revisit the scuffle between Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke and the youth-led climate activist group The Sunrise Movement. In a quick turnaround, Sunrise walked backed its critique of Beto’s climate action plan, while Beto signed on to the "No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge." Is this a kumbaya moment or egg on their faces?

Not to be outdone by O'Rourke, a fellow presidential hopeful, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, presented part one of his “Climate Mission” plan last week. Political Climate discusses the details and whether Biden will offer up his own climate change plan now that he’s entered the race.

Recommended Reading:

  • Roll Call: House Passes Climate Bill With Few Republican Backers
  • Slate: Why The Left Needs More Climate In-Fighting
  • Earther: How Students Convinced Beto O’Rourke To Stop Taking Fossil Fuel Money
  • Vox: Jay Inslee Promised Serious Climate Policy and He’s Delivering

Political Climate is produced in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation

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