Hot Mess and the Fall of Bipartisan Climate Action: A Chat with Peterson Toscano

In this special episode, Zach and Katie welcome longtime friend and podcasting expert Peterson Toscano, producer of Citizens Climate Radio. Peterson discusses his latest project, Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, a limited series exploring the roots of the climate crisis through the lens of true crime. Peterson dives into the complexities of how bipartisanship around climate change unraveled, sharing insights from history, politics, and personal experiences. Through Hot Mess, he aims to highlight the causes of the chaos and why a bipartisan solution is more vital than ever.

Key Quotes:

• “What if we looked at climate change through the lens of a true crime podcast?” — Peterson Toscano on the inspiration behind Hot Mess.
• “We’re going to look at things that aren’t typically looked at, including the roles Democrats and society played, so that it’s not just about blaming Republicans.” — Peterson Toscano on the need for nuance in discussing the climate crisis.
• “Climate communication needs to be interesting and fun. That’s one of the things I love about your show. You two are hilarious.” — Peterson Toscano on why climate communication must engage listeners.

Key Topics:

• The Story of Hot Mess: Peterson explains how Hot Mess breaks down the transition from bipartisan climate consensus to the divided political chaos we see today.
• Forgotten History: Peterson explores key moments in U.S. history when leaders across the aisle were united in addressing climate change, highlighting how this has shifted since the 1980s.
• Conservative Voices on Climate: Peterson stresses the importance of involving conservative perspectives in the climate conversation and outlines how Hot Mess features both conservative and liberal voices.
• The Role of Fossil Fuels: Discussion on the dual reality of fossil fuels—both as a major driver of the industrial revolution and as a contributor to the climate crisis.
• Cultural Barriers to Climate Solutions: Peterson delves into the uniquely American resistance to addressing climate change and how that differs from other countries.

Why Hot Mess Is Unique: Hot Mess isn’t just another climate podcast. By framing climate change as a “true crime” story, it offers listeners a fresh, engaging way to understand how America went from climate cooperation to climate division. With a mix of archival footage, expert interviews, and dynamic storytelling, Peterson provides a deeply researched yet accessible approach to understanding climate misinformation and the need for bipartisan solutions.

Action Steps:

• Tune in to Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, launching October 2024, on the Citizens Climate Radio feed.
• Follow Citizens Climate Radio on Twitter at @CitizenscRadio for updates on new episodes.
• Visit Citizens Climate Lobby to learn more about their work and how you can get involved in bipartisan climate solutions.

Resources Mentioned:

• RepublicEN https://republicen.org/
• Glacial: The Inside Story of Climate Politics by Chelsea Henderson https://turnerpublishing.com/products/glacial-the-inside-story-of-climate-politics?srsltid=AfmBOorxPf93ogFUAc3tAeaVDEPGipWLwlgomJa2dJl6m57-dCMcJhV_

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