Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

We’re only about a month into 2026, and already so much has happened — from the Trump administration’s forcible removal of Venezuela’s president to the US pulling out of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change… It’s easy to get caught up in the headlines of the moment and lose sight of the big picture.  But important developments are happening in sectors like agriculture and renewable technology that don’t break through the noise to the extent they deserve. So, what should we be watching in 2026? Guests:  Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Michael Grunwald, Journalist, Author, We Are Eating The Earth Jessie Bluedorn, Founder & Executive Director, The Carmack Collective For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit ⁠ClimateOne.org/podcasts⁠ Highlights: 00:00 Intro 05:33 Justine Johnson on the importance of mobility 08:48 Justine Johnson on the future of EV charging 11:20 Justine Johnson on the practicality of new EV charging technology 19:05 Justine Johnson on innovation in financing 22:52 Michael Grunwald on making more food with less land 30:17 Michael Grunwald on the new tech used to constipate beetles to death 37:24 Michael Grunwald on what to watch in politics 43:00 Jessie Bluedorn on the fossil fuel industry’s control over cultural narratives 47:57 Jessie Bluedorn on the comedy in the climate crisis 56:36 Jessie Bluedorn on other areas to keep an eye on in the culture ***** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the past 20 years, one state after another has shuttered its youth prisons and stopped trying kids as adults, slashing the number of incarcerated children by a stunning 75 percent. How did this change come about? In the sequel to her 2014 award-winning book Burning Down the House, journalist Nell Bernstein dissects the forces that converged to move us from what she calls a moral panic about “juvenile superpredators” to a time in which the youth prison is rapidly fading from view.  In Our Future We Are Free begins and ends with the imprisoned youth who took a leading role in their own liberation. Through vivid profiles, Bernstein chronicles the tireless work of mothers, activists, litigators, researchers, and journalists to expose and challenge the “racist brutality of youth prisons”—as well as the surprising story of prison officials who worked from the inside to close their institutions for good. The descriptions of how communities are pursuing safety, rehabilitation, and accountability outside of locked institutions offers a model for how we might overcome our addiction to incarceration writ large.  Join Nell Bernstein and Chesa Boudin to learn how a coalition of parents, activists, and prison officials reformed what she calls a “racist and destructive institution,” and what other social movements can learn from that struggle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco politics is rarely dull, but 2026 is shaping up to be particularly eventful. Nancy Pelosi, the first and only woman elected U.S. House speaker, has announced her retirement after nearly four decades serving San Francisco in Congress. The race to succeed her is wide-open, though State Senator Scott Wiener and Supervisor Connie Chan have already thrown their hats in.  Meanwhile, Mayor Daniel Lurie starts his second year in office with high approval ratings and ambitious plans to boost housing construction and overhaul the City Charter. He’s also still facing fallout from a bungled effort to appoint a supervisor in the city’s Sunset District. His first pick, a former pet store owner with no political experience, resigned after allegations over unsanitary conditions and poor management at her small business.  We’ll check in with some of the city’s top political reporters to talk about Pelosi’s legacy, what to expect from the Lurie administration, and how the city will cope with federal cuts and Trump’s ongoing crackdown on Democratic cities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1861, abolitionist Wendell Phillips said, “I think the first duty of society is justice.” What, then, would he think about the current state of America’s Department of Justice?  Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporters Carol Leonnig and Aaron C. Davis say that throughout his first administration, President Donald Trump did more than any other president to politicize the nation’s top law enforcement agency, pressuring his appointees to shield him, to go after his enemies, and even to help him remain in office after his 2020 election defeat. They say the Justice Department has never fully recovered.  Decisions and actions by the Justice Department during the Trump and Biden presidencies demonstrate how much has changed. Leonnig and Davis explore what has happened in their new book Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America's Justice Department. They say the subversion of the Justice Department over the last decade threatens rule of law in the United States as we have long known it.  They put blame not only on Trump administration efforts to undermine the department but also the delays in investigating Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election under Biden’s attorney general, Merrick Garland. Leonnig and Davis say a daily war was secretly waged for the soul of the department.  Join us for a special online-only discussion that will take you inside the rooms where fateful decisions were made—with fateful results. Hear Leonnig and Davis’ jaw-dropping account of political partisans and enablers wrecking democracy, heroes who still battle to preserve the rule of law, and a call to action for those who believe in liberty and justice for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political polarization has become a top concern for Americans, surpassing issues such as immigration, inflation or crime, according to an October 2025 poll by The New York Times and Siena University. This is a major shift from before the 2024 election, when it "barely registered" as an issue. Most voters now doubt the country's divisions can be overcome.  Still, Americans also say they want leaders to cooperate across party lines. So what should be done? Liam deClive-Lowe believes that part of the answer is to make it less risky for politicians to collaborate across the aisle. He’s the president and co-founder of American Policy Ventures (APV), a nonpartisan organization that works with members of Congress, philanthropists and policy leaders to “de-risk cross-partisan collaboration and pragmatic governance.”  The APV team, including former Republican and Democratic staffers, seeks to achieve this by changing the incentive structures that deepen polarization. When politicians are seen working with the other side, they are often demonized by their own base. DeClive-Lowe wants cooperation to become something that is rewarded, not punished.  APV is just one of a number of recently formed groups in the nation’s capital looking to promote bipartisanship and solve the polarization crisis. DeClive-Lowe will join Commonwealth Club World Affairs to discuss the growing movement, APV’s efforts, and actions ordinary citizens can take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Agriculture is directly responsible for 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and farmers and ranchers face growing climate impacts every day, from more severe storms to intense droughts, making it harder to grow food.  The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office ⁠estimates⁠ emissions from the agriculture sector will modestly increase over the next 30 years. Yet the Trump administration is ⁠slashing programs ⁠that help reduce emissions, feed people, protect farmworkers and animals and sensitive lands. In addition, the Trump administration’s tariffs and trade wars have affected the cost of machinery and sales of major crops. What will these changes mean for our national food system? How are farmers weathering these impacts? And where are people building resilience regardless of federal policy?  Episode Guests: Lisa Held, Senior Staff Reporter and Contributing Editor, Civil Eats Megan O'Rourke, Congressional Candidate NJ07; Former USDA Scientist John Bartman, Illinois farmer Byron Kominek, Owner and Manager, Jack's Solar Garden Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 05:30 – Lisa Held on major climate and agriculture stories in 2025 07:30 – Climate change is making it harder to be a farmer 09:15 – Changes at USDA 15:00 – How SNAP cuts affect consumers and farmers/growers 18:30 – Trump admin penalizing efforts/grants that support DEI efforts in agriculture 24:00 – John Bartman shares his journey to regenerative agriculture 30:00 – Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities Program and cutbacks under Trump 34:30 – Trade war between China and US is hurting soybean sales and Amazon rainforest 37:10 – Byron Kominek on how he got into agrivoltaics and the benefits it offers 42:00 – Agrivoltaics is climate adaptation 51:20 – Megan O’Rourke on research around kernza, a perennial grain 54:00 – Most pressing challenges for agriculture right now 59:00 – Importance of food security at home and abroad, and role of US farmers 1:03:30 – Climate One More Thing For show notes , transcript, and related links, visit climateone.org/podcasts ****** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Funk, a former public defender and local activist, delves into the rich history of political resistance, highlighting its evolution from ancient defiance to modern movements like Black Lives Matter. He discusses civil disobedience, referencing Thoreau's philosophy and its influence on leaders like Gandhi and King. Funk shares insights on the Wide Awakes' mobilization in 1860 and the impact of nonviolent tactics during key protests, emphasizing the power of grassroots movements today. He urges practical civic engagement and maintaining hope in turbulent times.

In this insightful discussion, guests share their experiences and expertise in the disaster economy. Haley Geller recounts her harrowing evacuation from the Los Angeles wildfires, highlighting the struggles of navigating recovery while parenting. Ayurella Horn Muller sheds light on the diverse workforce in disaster response and discusses alarming exploitation and wage theft issues. Naveena Sadasivam exposes contractor fraud scams post-disaster and provides actionable tips for homeowners to safeguard against exploitation. Together, they reveal the complexities that survivors face in the aftermath of catastrophe.

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan and author of True Gretch, shares her journey through significant challenges, from leading during the COVID-19 pandemic to navigating threats against her life. She reflects on her family's influence, the importance of femininity in leadership, and the lessons learned through trauma. Whitmer emphasizes the need for leaders to lower violent rhetoric and engage politically for change, advocating for democratic participation among young people while discussing her strategies for Michigan's economy and future.

Gloria Walton, President and CEO of The Solutions Project, and Wawa Gatheru, Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, explore the intersection of climate justice and grassroots activism. Walton emphasizes reframing frontline communities as victors and the need for philanthropy rooted in solidarity. Gatheru shares her journey to empower Black youth in climate spaces, advocating for nuanced storytelling and emotional literacy to drive action. Together, they highlight the importance of community resilience and collective care in the fight against climate change.