UpFront

Michael E. Mann chronicles decades of climate “inactivism” in new book — Plus, Oakland police officers outed supporting right-wing conspiracies on social media

Power stacks in Kentucy
A power plant that burned coal and later natural gas in Paradise, Kentucky. Photo: MichaelBNA

On this show:

0:08 – Mitch Jeserich, host of Letters and Politics weekdays at 10AM on KPFA, joins us to talk about the politics in Congress, as the legislative body continues to reel from the January 6 riots. Host Brian Edwards-Tiekert and Jeserich discuss a reported “power-sharing” agreement between Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate, as well as plans for Biden’s inauguration tomorrow.

0:34 – Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) is distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Penn State. He speaks with Brian about his new book: The New Climate War – The Fight to Take Back Our Planet. Mann denounces what he calls “inactivists” — people who would slow or block any action to reduce global carbon emissions — and talks about the work of the fossil fuel industry to cover up climate change, doxx scientists, and delay a just transition.

1:08 – What is the role of antifascists in squashing far-right-wing white supremacist groups, like those who carried out the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6? We talk with organizer and historian Mark Bray, the author of Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook.

1:34 – Oaklandside last week exposed Oakland police officers for “liking” and interacting with social media posts that furthered right-wing QAnon conspiracy theories and promoted police brutality. How widespread are conservative and reactionary views in OPD? We talk with the nonprofit newsroom’s news editor Darwin BondGraham (@DarwinBondGraha).