John Hansen

So, there were some elections. How'd they go? I talk with Caroline Spears about the stunning results in key state and local races and the lessons for 2026.

Today on Volts: as you may have heard, there were some elections last week. How did they go for climate world? To find out, I did my annual check-in with @spears.bsky.social of @climatecabinet.org. I don't want to spoil anything, but folks ... they went well. Really well.

Rich countries have lost enthusiasm for tackling climate crisis, says Cop30 chief Brazil’s André Corrêa do Lago says countries should follow China’s lead on clean energy as conference begins

Because it’s clear that “tackling” the crisis would require radical change to everything

we’ll accept collapse instead of

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

So, there were some elections. How'd they go? | Volts A conversation with Caroline Spears of Climate Cabinet.

Last week’s election was big: from Georgia to Allegheny County, Dave Roberts and I broke it down on @volts.wtf. 3 big themes: 📊 Turnout: who showed up & who didn't 💸 Affordability (we have real solutions, folks) and 🍃Tea Leaves on what this means for 2026
transcripts.volts.wtf/so-there-wer...

41 out of 45. Is that good? Seems good.

At UN climate summit, world leaders say time is running short to stop the worst effects of warming UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened a gathering of heads of state in Belem, Brazil, with harsh words for world powers who he said “remain captive to the fossil fuel interests, rather than pro...

UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened a gathering of heads of state in Belem, Brazil, with harsh words for world powers who he said “remain captive to the fossil fuel interests, rather than protecting the public interest.” www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/n...

10 Years After the Paris Climate Agreement, Here's Where We Are (Gift Article) Has anything really changed in the decade since the Paris Agreement was reached? Actually, quite a lot.

Although we're not where we should be, we're on a significantly better trajectory than we were 10 years ago.

Three missed opportunities in Canada’s federal budget Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first federal budget comes at an important moment for Canada as we face an increasingly hostile United States and the need to chart our own path. The choices this gover...

Three missed opportunities in Canada’s federal budget.

Solid analysis from @bcpolicy.bsky.social senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social bcpolicy.ca/2025/11/07/c...

Octopus extends its tentacles into America Nick Chaset of Octopus Energy US joins me to discuss how the UK's biggest electricity supplier plans to conquer the American market.

Today on Volts: Octopus Energy came out of nowhere to become the biggest retail energy provider in the UK by focusing on smart home-energy management & good customer service. Now it's coming to the US (& figuring out how to work with vertically integrated utilities). I talk with the CEO.

🌏 COP30 and what we need to see from the UK In the last few days, World leaders (and, going by previous conferences, a lot of fossil fuel lobbyists) have been arriving in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th Conference of the ...

🌎 #COP30 starts next week, and with the Paris Agreement’s 10-year anniversary approaching, this is a moment for delivery, not more targets; we need binding legislation.

🐝 It’s time for a joined-up climate and nature strategy. We need the Climate and Nature Bill.

👉 zerohour.uk/cop30 #CANBill

‘Politicians actually taking action’: five world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders ‘Politicians actually taking action’: five world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders: From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are introducing their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures Wooden stakes bearing pictures of young men were driven into the yellow s...

‘Politicians actually taking action’: five world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders: From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are introducing their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures Wooden stakes bearing pictures of young men were driven into the yellow s...

COP30’s $365 Billion Question: How Do You Measure Adaptation? Delegates will attempt to whittle down and codify a list of “indicators” that started with more than 10,000 different options.

As COP30 gets going in Brazil, one question facing the delegates is how to measure adaptation? Because setting emissions goals is one thing, but setting adaptation goals is another thing entirely.

@emilypont.bsky.social has the story on the process:

heatmap.news/adaptation/c...

Youth Climate Corps breaks into federal Budget 2025 For the hundreds of young activists and their allies (including many supportive members of Parliament) who have pressed hard for this idea, this news comes as a welcome relief and should be seen as a ...

For the hundreds of young activists & their allies who pressed hard for the idea of a Youth Climate Corps, the YCC announcement in this week's fed budget comes as a welcome relief and should be seen as a win, albeit not overstated.

Here's our take: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/o...

I heard some old friends at Pod Save America were in town, so I decided to stop by. As we saw this week, we can change this country for the better. But it’s going to take all of us getting organized and having honest conversations about the best way forward.

COP30: UN climate summit — latest updates News, highlights and analysis from the 2025 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil

The UN’s COP30 summit takes place this year as the US pulls away from its climate aspirations and Europe begins dismantling its green rules.  
 
What does that mean for the global fight to combat climate change?  
 
Follow all our coverage here:

China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising

The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."

‘There is no money’: As carbon markets collapse, what happens to the forests they promised to protect? After it was found most offsets did not represent real carbon reductions, the money dried up. But successful schemes such as Kasigau in Kenya now face a stark future

The carbon market is not the way to do CO₂ removal (CDR). If we're serious about this, it has to be a government-led effort.

NJ Governor Elect Mikie Sherrill Zeroes In On Solar Power New Jersey Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill will zero in on solar power as the fastest, most economical way to add more electricity to the grid.

New Jersey has already set a 50% clean energy goal for electricity by 2030, and 100% by 2035. 🔌💡
cleantechnica.com/2025/11/05/e...

OBAMA: “We had a good night on Tuesday… the American people are paying attention — when young people are engaged and involved, we win.”

@barackobama.bsky.social was a surprise drop-in at the @podsaveamerica.crooked.com live taping to open #CrookedCon in D.C.

‘Long on talk and short on action’: Papua New Guinea leader criticises Cop climate summits ahead of Brazil meeting James Marape skipped the meeting last year in protest but will attend Cop30 due to ‘encouraging signs’ on climate finance

‘Long on talk and short on action’: Papua New Guinea leader criticises Cop climate summits ahead of Brazil meeting #Climate

‘Long on talk and short on action’: Papua New Guinea leader criticises Cop climate summits ahead of Brazil meeting ‘Long on talk and short on action’: Papua New Guinea leader criticises Cop climate summits ahead of Brazil meeting: James Marape skipped the meeting last year in protest but will attend Cop30 due to ‘encouraging signs’ on climate finance Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, James Marape, ha...

‘Long on talk and short on action’: Papua New Guinea leader criticises Cop climate summits ahead of Brazil meeting: James Marape skipped the meeting last year in protest but will attend Cop30 due to ‘encouraging signs’ on climate finance Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, James Marape, ha...

Illinois General Assembly Passes Energy Reform Act Aiming to Reduce Rates and Reach Clean Energy Goals - Inside Climate News The state passed the legislation during a veto session after months of lobbying from advocacy groups, but some concerns over planning provisions and consumer costs linger.

Illinois legislators pass an energy reform act with key provisions to reach clean energy goals and help consumers save on utility bills.

Carney scraps anti-greenwashing law despite public call for climate truth Most Canadians want the federal government to do more about climate disinformation, especially during extreme weather, new research shows, even as the Carney government scraps Canada's laws against gr...

For a guy supposedly all about climate disclosure, baffling to see Carney tossing greenwashing legislation that simply asks corporations to substantiate their environmental claims. Why defend the right to lie?

Carney scraps anti-greenwashing law. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/n...

@jonathanpienews.bsky.social

Zohran Mamdani’s Muted Climate Politics The self-described “ecosocialist” ran an ultra-disciplined campaign for New York City mayor. Once he’s in office, the climate issue could become unavoidable.

“Given all the notes he struck during the campaign, it is revealing to consider those Mamdani left unplayed. One in particular stands out: Throughout the mayoral run, Mamdani rarely spoke about climate change — often doing so only when directly asked.” heatmap.news/politics/zoh...

Climate Action Network Canada reacts to Budget 2025 - Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac) Unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin Territories , 4 November 2025: Today, the Liberal government tabled Budget 2025 in the House of Commons, including a threadbare Climate Competitiveness Strategy. The Bud...

Budget 2025 shows that ‘austerity’ applies to efforts to protect people and the planet—but that more money can always be found for military spending and polluting industries.

Read our full analysis & members' quotes on the federal budget and Climate Competitiveness Strategy. ⬇️
shorturl.at/z1ueW

Congratulations California! CA voters passed Prop 50, so new election maps can be drawn, to help combat Trump’s gerrymandering.

Thanks to California voters abroad, for voting in this important election. Your #VoteFromAbroad makes a huge difference in state races.
@demsabroad.bsky.social

Democrats cruise to victory, and other takeaways from Election Day 2025 There are signs that the economy — specifically, President Donald Trump's inability to deliver the economic turnaround he promised last fall — may be a real problem for the GOP heading into next year'...

There are signs that the economy — specifically, President Trump’s inability to deliver the economic turnaround he promised last fall — may be a real problem for the GOP heading into next year’s higher-stakes midterm elections.
https://to.pbs.org/4hJrC9a

🔥 ZOHRAN: “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty. I wish Andrew Cuomo all the best in private life, but let tonight be the final time I utter his name — as we turn the page on a politics that abandons the many and answers only to the few.”

2 statewide races in GA, 3 PA state Supreme Court races, Virginia Governor, New Jersey Governor, California redistricting. Dems winning HUGE everywhere. The resistance is alive & well.

Tonight is a TOTAL repudiation of that cruel, corrupt, lawless madman in the White House & his cowardly enablers.

Budget 2025 has the right signals on the importance of the clean economy but fails to connect its benefits to everyday Canadians - Clean Energy Canada OTTAWA — Rachel Doran, executive director of Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the federal government’s Budget 2025. “Today’s much-anticipated budget was billed as setti...

🇨🇦💰“While #Budget2025 has some important signals, there is still work to be done to ensure Canada will reap the broader economic benefits of the energy transition—and that Canadians will stand to benefit," says @racheldoran.bsky.social.

#cdnpoli