Unpacking the Controversy: Why a Former Obama Official Is Challenging the Left on Climate Action

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Recently, Jody Freeman, a Harvard law professor and former advisor in the Obama administration, stated, “We’ve lost the culture war on climate.” In this conversation, she reflected on the climate movement’s struggle to gain mainstream acceptance. Interestingly, Freeman has a background that intertwines with the oil industry; she served on the board of ConocoPhillips for a decade, earning over $350,000 a year. She stepped down recently, influenced by student protests against the company’s controversial drilling plans in Alaska, but she still holds a key role at Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which manages Norway’s massive sovereign wealth fund valued at around $1.75 trillion.

Freeman believes it’s time for the left to rethink its strategy on climate issues. She suggested that clearer paths for natural gas use and streamlined energy infrastructure permits might be the way forward. This perspective reflects the ongoing trend in energy politics of treating fossil fuels as transitional, despite new research that raises concerns about the environmental impact of natural gas.

Recent studies show that methane, a potent greenhouse gas, leaks significantly during the natural gas supply process. Methane’s warming effect is more than 80 times stronger than carbon dioxide in the first two decades after its release. In fact, research from the Permian Basin revealed that gas pipelines were leaking methane at rates much higher than previously estimated. This casts doubt on arguments promoting natural gas as a cleaner alternative.

Stats from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 show a move toward addressing these methane leaks with fees for excessive emissions. However, obstacles remain as some political leaders look to block these measures. Scientists highlight that the tools for significant climate action exist; it’s the motivation and political will that are lacking.

Freeman’s history raises questions about the effectiveness of traditional approaches to climate advocacy. During her time at ConocoPhillips, the company increased its fossil fuel production, which contradicts the urgent need for environmental action. In her current advisory role at NBIM, the stakes are high. NBIM owns about 1.5% of all shares in the global market but has voted against key climate resolutions from companies in which it has stakes. In 2023, it voted against 17 out of 21 resolutions aimed at improving climate management—an alarming trend that mirrors its historical voting patterns.

Despite the clear urgency of climate change, many people still feel hopeful for more action. A recent study found that 89% of people globally want their governments to do more. This suggests there’s a disconnect between public demand and political action. The narrative that climate issues are just a niche concern of the political left overlooks this widespread desire for meaningful change.

As we face the realities of climate change, the real questions emerge: What barriers stand in the way of the necessary actions? Is it the political left, or is the issue rooted in a broader system that favors the status quo and fossil fuel industries? The future of our planet may depend on how we answer these questions.

For further reading, check the Revolving Door Project for insights on these urgent issues.

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Energy & the Environment,Climate Crisis,corporate power,Obama Administration,Politics,Revolving Door Project,Hannah Story Brown