Hello and happy new year! It’s January, so we can still say that — right?

Between devastating wildfires in Australia, conflict in the Middle East, and a rapidly approaching Democratic presidential primary there’s been no shortage of news since 2020 began. 

In this week's episode, we discuss what the latest headlines mean for climate and energy policy. Plus, we bring you a sit-down interview with former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who put in place many of the state’s foundational climate and clean energy policies (in addition to being an actor, businessman and bodybuilder, of course).

We get the governor's reflections on 2019, including why he decided to support teen climate activist Greta Thunberg in her journey across North America last fall. And why he's also backing former Secretary of State John Kerry's star-studded and bipartisan World War Zero climate initiative, which some argue is at odds with the youth climate movement.

Schwarzenegger also weighs in on Congress' failure to extend clean energy tax credits last legislative session and the Trump administration's lawsuit against California's cap-and-trade program.

Recommended reading:

• Verge: John Kerry, Arnold Schwarzenegger wage ‘World War Zero’ on climate change
• Vox: John Kerry and the climate kids: a tale of 2 new strategies to fight climate change
• GTM: How the White House Killed Clean Energy Tax Credits
• CNN: Australia's deadly wildfires are showing no signs of stopping. Here's what you need to know
• Recharge: French solar power charity wins Zayed Sustainability Prize

Political Climate is produced in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute.

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