A Blueprint for American Climate Action and a Modern Clean Energy Economy

The past few years have been a mixed bag for climate. U.S. emissions declined to their lowest level in three decades this year, but these reductions came at an incredible cost as the economy shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The challenge now is to make these emissions cuts sustainable for years to come while getting millions of Americans back to work.

We dig into a new analysis on how to put the U.S. on a path to deep decarbonization and economic growth on this episode of Political Climate — the final episode in our "Relief, Rescue, Rebuild" series. Lindsey Walter, senior policy adviser for Third Way’s Climate and Energy program, breaks down the policies and technology pathways to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in an equitable and affordable way.

Plus, we speak to two wind energy technicians who are training the next generation of wind workers in the Midwest about how the industry has affected their region, the opportunities for growth and their message to policymakers.

Mike Gengler is the wind energy coordinator at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa. Jay Johnson is an assistant professor for the wind energy technician program at the Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, North Dakota.