Climate Politics Under Trump: Challenges and Solutions with Organizer Chris Conry
What the actual f is going on with climate politics right now? What regulations are cancelled? How much of it is fear-mongering? And what can we do? Thank goodness today’s guest, Chris Conry—campaign director of 100% Minnesota and longtime labor and community organizer—has some insight to share about all of this and more.
Growing up in a working-class family, Chris felt like he always had to defend his family from outside judgment. That early class consciousness led to work as a labor organizer. Years later, seeing his daughter speak at a climate science march would inspire him to shift from labor organizing to climate organizing, working to equitably decarbonize Minnesota’s economy by 2050.
Chris outlines Trump-era actions: executive orders targeting regulations (including the endangerment finding), congressional rollbacks of Biden-era clean energy investments, illegal impoundment of climate funds (including FEMA grants), increased costs for wind and solar, disinformation on climate science, and fossil-fuel-driven foreign policy. Boooo. One source of hope Chris provided (you know we love hope around here) was just how unpopular these moves really are. He highlights how many climate solutions exist that can improve material conditions through affordability AND efficiency.
Chris self-identifies as a professional optimist, which surprised me at first. I imagined someone who was so closely paying attention to politics, climate politics nonetheless, would feel…like we’re cooked? But Chris suggests people can find hope by becoming a part of the solution in ways that match their skills—from advocacy and voting to creative work. Which reminded me of a tool I’ve shared before: a Venn diagram from What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures author Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Spend some time with it, figure out your climate action to not only make change but to tap into that source of hope we all need reminders of.
Listen now to find out how Chris has been unwinding lately!
Find out more about Chris’ work.
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Music produced by M Baxley of Bear Witness Media
Climate Action Venn Diagram by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
RESOURCES:
Speaking of politics, as of this episode’s release, we are in primary voting season here in the U.S. Check out voting resources below. If you are reading this later, the resources below are always relevant.
Make sure you’re registered by heading to vote.org.
Compare candidates and track their voting records using knowyourvotes.com.
Use trackaipac.com to see the politicians serving the interests of corrupt lobbies before yours.
