Critical Frequency Drilled is part of the Critical Frequency podcast network, which was started by Drilled’s executive producer & lead reporter, investigative climate journalist Amy Westervelt.
Source: Why Can’t We Just Tell the Truth About Fossil Fuels?
…So he asked me, “You’ve been covering this forever, what would a politician have to be proposing for you to think okay this person is serious about tackling the climate issue?” And honestly I had a moment of panic there myself where I thought “is it okay to say: a plan to get off fossil fuels” or “regulations on emissions”? Then I figured well hell that’s what the science shows we need to do–at least that–so why do I feel like it’s some radical opinion? With the benefit of a few days, I’d add a couple more things:
- a thorough energy transition plan, including details on how electricity costs will be kept affordable, an answer to questions about intermittency, a plan for reducing energy consumption so we’re not tied to massive mining and industrial energy projects forever, and a jobs plan for those working in the fossil fuel industry;
- an end date for new oil and gas development
- regulations on black carbon and greenhouse gas emissions that incentivize the reduction of them.
Why does that seem remotely radical given what we know about this problem and how to solve it? And why aren’t activists calling for these basic steps? As has been the case with criticizing the Biden Administration’s stance on continuing to arm Israel as it decimates Gaza, climate activists have tended to encourage silence. We can’t talk about genocide, lest people vote for Trump. Now we can’t talk about basic climate science, or point out that no, Madame Vice President Harris, the IRA is not the same as the Green New Deal you once supported, lest people vote for Trump.
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