PolicyCast

Self-destructive populism: How better policy can reverse the anti-clean energy backlash

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Self-destructive populism: How better policy can reverse the anti-clean energy backlash

15 May 2024

Populism—the political term that describes a group of self-described common people who oppose elite—has turned up in what for many is an unexpected place: the push for a worldwide transition to clean energy. Even though they’re vital to preventing the most catastrophic consequences of the manmade global climate crisis, clean energy measures are encountering pushback from multiple sources ranging from local citizens groups, to cost-conscious consumers, to self-styled conservationists, to right-wing politicians, and to corporate boardrooms. Harvard Kennedy School Professor Robert Z. Lawrence and Professor Dustin Tingley from Harvard’s Department of Government say a number of forces are shaping the new clean energy pushback, including genuine popular resentment in some communities left over from economic transitions like the loss of manufacturing jobs due to globalization. Robert Lawrence is a former member of the President's Council of Economic Advisers and an economist who studies trade policy. Dustin Tingley is a political scientist researching the politics of the climate crisis and co-author of the new book “Uncertain Futures: How to Unlock the Climate Impasse.” With time running out for the world to make significant reductions in fossil fuel use, they join PolicyCast host Ralph Ranalli to discuss strategies and policy ideas to keep the momentum going toward a sustainable energy future.
developing countries trade policy economics wind fossil fuel clean energy solar power populism policy local governments green energy republican party power lines climate crisis podcast harvard kennedy school china shock inflation reduction act harvard university robert z. lawrence policycast ralph ranalli dustin tingley oil-producing states

Authors

Dustin Tingley, Robert Z. Lawrence, Ralph Ranalli

Duration
51:01
Episode number
266
Published in
United States of America

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