The Biggest Climate Bill of Your Life - But What does it DO!?

The thing about this bill is that it's going to keep having a huge impact on the country for many many years and, mostly, we will not even notice. That's what happens with almost all good legislation. Of course, there will also be some bits of this that won't work as intended and they'll probably be big news stories. When you've got like 150 different pieces of a bill, not everything will be perfect! But it is quite a big deal for me to see America making these investments...even if I'm not gung-ho on all of them, and some of them legit piss me off...it's an amazing step that I did not think we would be making.

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[vlogbrothers]

I can't believe this video was free. Really. Hank, you're really quite amazing. -John

[danielle]

I'm 32. I learned a lot of what I know about climate change from my high school biology teacher in 2005-6. That was the era of An Inconvenient Truth and the Bush climate change denials. It was a bleak time for environmental policy. She was so passionate, but it was obvious that she found it hard to hold on to hope. Despite that she always encouraged my classmates and I to believe that better was possible.

She passed away three months ago. I'm filled with excitement, but also the inevitable twinge of sadness that she didn't get to see this happen. Here's to everyone who had a Mrs. Hattie in their life, and is feeling all the feelings about this news.

[RichGwilliam]

You are 100% correct, they say "it's too expensive" and then they'll say "it's too late". And people on your own side, often not maliciously, will say "we can't change this, they're too greedy, they're too powerful, we just have to lose and be cynical". That cynicism is just as toxic. We have to take the ball and run with it.

[Swholli]

Hank Green is the definition of independent journalism being so much more informative and poignant than any mainstream news organization

[MarkThePage]

Hank: "Let's start at the beginning."
Me: "Yes! Time to talk about how bills are actually negotiated!"
Hank: "About four billion years ago..."

[genericytprofile]

This video was 1000% more informative than anything on current news outlets. Thank you so much hank for the amazing breakdown of this bill. Your enthusiasm is really contagious.

[metadoxy]

Hank I want you to know this video is extremely encouraging. I shared some of what the bill does with my environmentally-conscious teen and their instinctively cynical reaction gave way to genuine (albeit restrained) excitement. It’s vital that we see that while there is long, slow work to do, progress is possible! Every bit better is still better.

[wjecornell]

I've been a climate activist since I was 15, way back in 2004. I'm tearing up with hope this week for the first time since our cap and trade bill failed under Obama. And that's not to mention this bill is the biggest step in lowering drug prices probably ever.

Thanks, Hank for breaking this down for us. So much love. We are h unstoppable. Another world is possible.

[rolothomosky]

As a power systems PhD who's been working on integration of renewables into the grid for more than a decade, I appreciate you educating people on the complexities of decarbonizing the grid. I share the optimism. As someone who's been "in the trenches" of greening the grid for so long, I've seen a lot of change that really makes me hopeful, this bill makes me extra hopeful. (edit spelling)

[_maxgray]

Hank, I really appreciate both your undisguised enthusiasm and your thoughtfulness in discussing this complex issue. Thank you for all the videos today! I'm learning so much!

[-emshalinka-]

i chose not to study climate in college because I was scared of learning we have no hope.

this was a nice change of pace.

[allieandrews]

Thank you, Hank. I am so grateful for this breakdown and for some positivity. We need this. 💚

[maryrohatgi]

I’m a sustainability analyst for a major agribusiness company, and the past couple years have been some of the biggest strides for carbon reduction. Companies are using sustainability as a key performance indicator and the reduction of carbon has become a priceable commodity. The fact that the USA has finally joined the EU and even China with carbon reduction efforts is so encouraging, and it is some of the most exciting climate news I’ve heard in my life time.

[elmiraadili]

This video was really uplifting. In talks about climate change, I’m often left feeling like nothing will change and nothing can be done. It’s important to find out about things we are actively doing and projects that have been successful, even if they aren’t the super progressive projects we want, because it reminds us of what’s possible and gives us momentum to build on. Thank you for this video, Hank.

[corynanni]

For a video suggestion: could we get a post-mortem for previous bills, comparing the intention of parts of the bill to it's actual outcome? I'd love to see how these policy effects tracked over time.

[LY]

As someone who has very recently decided to take drastic measures to prevent pregnancy because of a complete loss of hope—and that decision followed years of actively fighting against the impulse to unalive myself because of (again) a loss of hope, thank you for this summary. Thank you for building this community. I’m still very much in denial stages (denial that the tide is turning), and I still struggle a lot with thoughts of suicide because of *gesturing around* but it’s nice to at least scroll through the comments and see there are other people who are still fighting.

[miriamlewis]

"And luckily, I have prepared for you: MORE SQUARES!"
Thank you for preparing these squares. Behind this video is many hours of research and interviews that I get to absorb and benefit from in a matter of minutes, and it's all presented in an engaging way from a delightful individual. What a treat!

[vylbird]

It may be worth noticing that this was a perfectly partisan bill, in both house and senate.
Every single Democrat voted for it.
Every single Republican voted against it.
No exceptions.

[surewhatever]

I had plans for renovating two old houses (purchased November 2019) incorporating green energy systems - plans that were immediately derailed by the pandemic. Then, the Texas freeze left me without power and very nearly killed me, which not only angered me, but strengthened my resolve to capture/harness wind and solar energy that I can access when my useless state government declares (again) my neighborhood is not worthy of life sustaining utilities. It looks like the delay in renovations may be the best silver lining I’ve never expected! I’m struggling to find details on homeowner rebates and incentives - like what is exactly covered and when/how they’ll be accessible. I welcome any links for this info and I truly appreciate this explainer episode! Thank you!

[RhianKristen]

Dude, I'm gonna tear up. This is such a win for your country and the whole world!