This article covers an active legal battle between a law firm representing offshore wind groups and Brown University over the publication of research by the school. This research connects the fossil fuel industry and said offshore wind groups, which the law firm is considering “false and injurious” while demanding its erasure.

Third Way and Impact Research found that non-college-educated men under 50 are a key demographic holding deep misconceptions about clean energy, with 40% believing fossil fuels are as good or better for the environment. To shift these views, advocates must go beyond digital platforms and focus on trusted messengers and targeted messaging. This group’s skepticism requires tailored strategies that address misinformation and resonate culturally and emotionally.

Wind and solar energy do not use eminent domain and are part of the American energy solution. But many remain hesitant due to disinformation—false claims shared to confuse or scare people. These five facts debunk the myths and show why clean energy is a smart investment for everyone.

Polling 201: utilizing public opinion research in your communications ca

Majorities of Americans who report experiences with extreme weather, including Republicans, say that climate change contributed to it. Majorities of Americans who say that their area experienced heat waves, droughts, major wildfires, or rising sea levels in the past year say that climate change contributed “a lot” to the event. 73% of Americans say that it’s a good idea to set stricter building standards for new construction in places at high risk of extreme weather. 57% of Americans say that it’s a good idea for the government to provide financial assistance for people to rebuild in places at high risk of extreme weather. Compared to Republicans, Democrats are 23 points more likely to say that their community experienced long periods of unusually hot weather (57% to 34%), 17 points more likely to say that their community experienced severe weather like floods or intense storms (59% to 42%), 12 points more likely to say that their community experienced rising sea levels (23% to 11%), nine points more likely to say that their area experienced droughts or water shortages (31% to 22%), and seven points more likely to say that their area experienced major wildfires (21% to 14%).

Use media behavior to learn how to reach and move people toward a narrative for all major household appliances and vehicles that is pro-electric. “Lifestyle conservatives” look like a key audience: Better understanding the factors underlying their consideration of and conversion to electrics seems important; this may point to supply-side work that needs doing. Excellent message research on EV’s exists: focus on the policy infrastructure for mainstreaming EVs means it may be of limited utility in understanding consumer choices for lifestyle conservatives, given how lukewarm they can be on government policy for just about anything; also any emphasis on climate is not likely to help here. Most important is to start making content: think about putting content out into the world and testing it with audiences in quick iterative loops that connect back to and constantly update strategic assumptions.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polls of Western voters and young conservatives.

What is power? This podcast episode starts with that fundamental question. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King famously said, “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and . . . love without power is sentimental and anemic.” But many on the left seem allergic to power. Drawing on the influential sociologists Michael Mann and Erik Olin Wright, Stephanie and Deepak present a novel typology, identifying six forms of power and giving examples of each. Then this episode features a guest who has brilliantly analyzed right-wing strategies to build power over the past several decades: Ilyse Hogue, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America and co-author, with Ellie Langford, of The Lie that Binds (which is also a terrific 6-part podcast). Hogue debunks the myth that the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade was the turning point in conservative organizing.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including a new Pew report on Americans’ climate attitudes, a new analysis of pro-climate Republicans, and new polling on President Biden’s investments in clean energy and infrastructure.

Republicans who worry the most about climate change skew younger, more female, and more suburban than other Republicans. About half of Republicans (52%) are either Alarmed (8%), Concerned (19%), or Cautious (24%) about global warming, among which about 1 in 4 (27%) are either Alarmed or Concerned. Alarmed or Concerned Republicans are more likely than all other Republicans to be Gen Z/Millennial (35% vs. 29% of all other Republicans), female (57% vs. 45%), or live in a suburban area (57% vs. 52%). By contrast, fewer Alarmed or Concerned Republicans are Baby Boomer/Silent Generation (37% vs. 43% of all other Republicans), male (43% vs. 55%), or live in a rural area (29% vs. 34%).